Housing Development, Its Dimensions and Its Constituents

Abstract

This paper studies housing development phenomenon, it's social, environmental and economical dimensions, as well as its urban design and planning constituents. The research assumes that, the housing development not verified, only by the existence of these two constituents with the previous mentioned dimensions.Literature review showed that there was a gap in the concept of housing development locally, so the aim of this paper is to bridge this gap. The research hypothesis was "the housing development is an integration of social, environmental and economic dimensions, within urban design and planning constituents".The research defines the housing development as keeping the residential environment not destroyed ,but has the ability to sustain its social and economic structures, and develop the valuable built environment,( such as the social, social/ spatial values), within urban design and planning constituents.The research has built a theoretical framework defined the housing development, tried to project it on local and international projects. The local project was (Abu Noaas project / Baghdad), while the international example was (Bo01) in Sweden. The main findings were that the local housing development verified some social / spatial values such as, variety, privacy and flexibility, while the international housing development verified another social/ spatial values such as choice, permeability , variety, privacy, surveillance, flexibility and energy efficiencyLocally the housing development ensured some environmental dimensions such as correct orientation, using renewable resources such as solar energy, while the international housing development used all types of renewable resources, such as solar energy, photovoltaic cells, and biodiversity.From economic dimensions point of view, the local and international housing development were affordable, as the projects were distinguished by goodness and firmness. The plans were modular coordinated, had determined functions.The urban design constituents had legible presence in international housing development, presented by respecting site and setting, context, using spatial hierarchy, easy access, ensuring linkages. Locally the site, setting and context only, were respected also and taken into considerations.The planning constituents had legible presence in the international housing development in all its values such as, reducing resources consumption, using high densities, protecting the environmental capital resources ,through Brownfield's development, ensuring pedestrian movement and public transport. Locally other items were taken into consideration represented by conservation and infill sites together with the new development.