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Abstract: Abstract Rent control measures are typically in place to assist low-income households and decrease segregation. Yet, there is little empirical research on the social impact of such policies and specifically the role of how rent-controlled apartments are allocated. This study analyzes the income-distributional effects of rent control with a novel dataset that includes characteristics of those who received rent-controlled apartments between 2011 and 2016 in central Stockholm, Sweden. Specifically, this paper provides analysis of the impact of allocating apartments through a centrally managed queue with apartments from both public and private landlords. To quantify the rent subsidy, we estimate hypothetical market rents by taking the owner-occupied market as a point of deviation. We find a positive relationship between the rent subsidy and time in que. Apartments in the fourth quartile of subsidy require on average 21 years in que, while those in the first quartile require 10 years on average. There is considerably heterogeneity in the level of rent subsidy, and tenant income. Even as allocating through queuing should benefit high-income households less than allocation based on landlord preferences, we find several regressive effects. Controlling for time in queue, we find that tenants in the fourth quartile of annual income receive monthly rent subsidies that are substantially higher than renters in the first quartile of income. Similarly, rental apartments in the fourth quartile of the subsidy have older tenants with substantially higher incomes compared to less subsidized apartments. The regressive effect is driven by high earners renting larger apartments with larger absolute subsidies and being able to wait longer in queue. PubDate: 2023-09-20
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Abstract: Abstract Although research on restorative environments suggest that natural settings have therapeutic effects in moderating stress and promoting positive experiences, there is a limited body of literature inquiring about the therapeutic potential of interior environments. The aim of the current study was to understand the restorative potential of home environments regarding theoretical background on restorative environments and architectural dimensions influencing well-being through the experiences of women. We interviewed 11 adult women using the photo-elicitation technique to investigate the perceived restorativeness of their home environments. Thematic analysis of qualitative data indicated that the design attributes of spaces play a significant role in promoting the restoration process. In addition to design attributes, we found family interaction, socialising, and engaging in activities could also be influential. Furthermore, the exploratory nature of the research highlighted the significance of individual meanings and personal factors in shaping the perceived restorativeness of home environments. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed to encourage future research in related fields that explore the relationship between residential settings and well-being. PubDate: 2023-09-20
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Abstract: Abstract To date, no empirical study has examined the impact of negative gearing and other factors on residential investors’ decisions using quantitative analysis. We applied a structural vector autoregression framework to trace the response of residential investors in Greater Sydney to shocks in its key drivers over the period 1991–2018. We discovered a residential investors’ profile in which negative gearing is being used to cushion any net rental loss during periods of low yield while expecting capital growth over their holding period. This supports the hypotheses of the study which posit that capital gains and negative gearing have a positive and negative relationship, respectively, with the number of residential investors. Additionally, a negative relationship between mortgage lending rate and number of investors is found, indicating a rising lending rate will increase expenses and contribute to low yield. We also found population growth and increased housing supply could increase the number of residential investors. These results could be used by tax and housing policy makers to recalibrate tax laws relating to negative gearing, especially for residential investment. Residential investors could potentially use this information for more informed decision making, particularly during periods of low yields. PubDate: 2023-09-20
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Abstract: Abstract This article considers changes regarding the social physiognomy of apartment blocks in urban housing in the densely built neighbourhoods of Athens City Centre. The aim is to illuminate the changes that have been a main consequence of the residential mobility that began during the post-World War II period and continues today. Thus, I will provide evidence of two apartment blocks located in the Kypseli neighbourhood of the Municipality of Athens that I have thoroughly investigated. These blocks are among the 28 I have previously examined in a project about Athenian apartment blocks. PubDate: 2023-09-20
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Abstract: Abstract Unprecedented increases in both tourism and population growth have put extreme pressure on the Republic of the Maldives, which has resulted in significant changes to the islands as a result of construction activities. This study is the first to investigate perceptions of the benefits and barriers of implementing environmental management systems (EMS) in the Maldivian construction industry, and what effective measures and strategies exist to drive environmental management practices. A subjectivist stance and deductive approach have been taken with an online survey adopting a quantitative strategy with a range of construction professions across the Maldivian construction sector. Using a central tendency measure of weighted average, the respondents’ opinions suggest that the primary benefits of having an EMS in the Maldives are perceived as the enhancement of corporate image and environmental protection; while the major barriers are lack of legal enforcement and the requirement for company structures and policies to change to accommodate an EMS. The findings also suggest that those companies who establish a waste management plan and where authorities enforce legal environmental requirements are believed to be the most effective means to encourage more widespread adoption. Based on these findings, it is recommended that managers, need to increasingly promote the principles of environmental management and sustainable practices/behaviours amongst construction industry stakeholders. Furthermore, policy makers within the Maldives should be exploring the viability of establishing financial incentive schemes (particularly for SMEs), in addition to encouraging wider adoption of EMSs across the Maldivian industry sectors. PubDate: 2023-09-20
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Abstract: Abstract Given the phenomenal growth of urban centres in developing countries, cities have become important sites for engaging with environmental issues. Among the many issues, the prevalence of informal settlements in cities and their implications on environmental sustainability have emerged as a growing concern. However, the significance of these spaces in the environmental sustainability function has not been adequately considered. Policy makers and urban planners have often failed to recognize informal settlement upgrading processes as one of the most important avenues for realizing environmentally sustainable cities. As a result, these projects have not only failed to improve the inherent poor environmental quality, but they have also aggravated consumption inefficiencies, waste management problems and disrupted the social structures through which environmental management can be propagated. This paper evaluates the environmental sustainability performance of government led informal settlement upgrading projects in Kenyan cities in an effort to determine the extent to which environmental sustainability outcomes are evident in upgraded settlements. The evaluation focuses on environmental performance of 11 upgraded informal settlements in three cities on resource consumption domain based on 5 indicators using comparative performance rating. Data was collected through multistage cluster and simple random sampling of 600 household; coupled with key informant interviews, observations and focus group discussions. The results indicate low resource consumption environmental sustainability performance in the upgraded settlements in Kenya. There is need for deliberate action to integrate environmental sustainability in informal settlement upgrading processes. PubDate: 2023-09-20
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Abstract: Abstract Increasingly frequent and severe disasters have seriously impacted on the elderly as they are more vulnerable to disasters. To protect the elderly from the potential damage caused by disasters, creating a safe living environment for the ageing society is essential. The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of living environment and its influencing factors among the elderly based on an assumed earthquake scenario. 356 questionnaires were distributed in Hefei, China in 2016 as a means of obtaining data on the elderly and their living environment. Perceptions of the living environment are characterized by their evaluation of residential buildings, road traffic, open spaces and barrier-free facilities. Structural Equation Model is used for further analysing the statistics from the questionnaires. The results show that the physical condition of the elderly, the quality of residential area and disaster prevention measures of the neighborhood affect perceptions of living environment among the elderly. In addition, the quality of residential area has the most significant influence on their perceptions of living environment. This study attempts to provide insights into the renovation of residential areas and the construction of disaster reduction communities to protect the elderly from harm caused by earthquakes. PubDate: 2023-09-19
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Abstract: Abstract Productive aging research has thoroughly documented that civic participation is associated with health and psychological well-being among older adults living in the community. Promoting late-life civic participation is beneficial for older adults and communities. Empirical studies on correlates of civic participation have mostly focused on psychosocial factors. Few studies have investigated the relationship of home and neighborhood environmental factors with civic participation among older adults from diverse backgrounds. Based on the 2018 Canadian Housing Survey, this study examined the associations between home and neighborhood environmental factors and civic participation in terms of civic engagement in organizations and volunteering among older Canadians and whether the associations differed by dwelling types (house vs. apartment) and gender. Regression results illuminated important factors of civic participation associated with home and neighborhood contexts. Uninhabitable home conditions were associated with increased odds of civic engagement among older men and women residing in houses and older men residing in apartments. For older women living in apartments, home maintenance needs were related to a higher likelihood of civic engagement. In terms of neighborhood context, community safety was associated with greater likelihood of volunteerism among all groups. In addition, neighborhood problems (noise, garbage, pollution, racism) and sense of belonging to the community were common correlates of civic engagement and volunteerism for all. This study indicates the importance of considering home and neighborhood environmental factors in civic participation research. PubDate: 2023-09-14
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Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Housing quality is assessed through housing annoyance but it is generally assessed partially. Identifying some sources of annoyance can lead to vulnerability to other disturbances. Bandung city as a city with the largest vertical residential supply in Indonesia is facing a transformative phase towards high-density housing. At the same time, online user reviews has become a way to identify individual's perception of a product/service. By considering ratings in online user reviews as the level of dissatisfaction, researchers have identified the quality of vertical housing by reviewing the relationship between housing annoyance, housing satisfaction attached to annoyance (then called SAA), rating, and the occupancy attitudes. Data was collected from 468 online apartment user reviews on Google Map. The review and rating text data was analysed qualitatively using content analysis. The relationships between the evaluation of housing quality and attitude were analysed by using correspondence analysis. From the analysis, there are three groups of apartment housing quality, namely the aspects of requirements, supplementary, and complementary. The requirement aspect relates to the unavailability of basic residential needs which consists of disturbances that threaten safety and security, physiological annoyance, and poor management. The unavailability of basic needs causes a person not to recommend or even move to a better residential unit/apartment. The supplementary aspect indicates the supporting aspects of good residential quality, which include functional flexibility, aesthetics and good comfort, strategic location, large economic benefits, and good management. The complementary aspect represents good physical management and service. If the supplementary and complementary aspects are fulfilled, users will recommend the apartment to the others. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract Participatory and user-centered design has taken inspiration from each other, and the classical roles of users, researchers, and designers have merged in the co-designing process. Participatory methods consider the balance of power between the designer and residents and the needs and usefulness of the research. Community members should be involved as partners, advisors, and participants. In Finland, participatory design is law mandated in urban planning projects, but participation that goes beyond the initial publicization of information, is genuinely interactive, and spans all stages of the project is underutilised and the methods of participatory practice are still unfamiliar to many designers. The methods commonly used are the research survey and the workshop, often mentioned as participatory design methods. From the residents’ perspective, participation only becomes participatory when the participant gains the experience of influencing the development and its outcomes. The article examines resident surveys and workshops as tools to produce information and evaluate their interactivity in two case studies. It shows that the diversification of methods is necessary to ensure genuine participatory planning in the renewal of suburban neighborhoods. The research was done as part of the project Reshaping living: New structure and new life for old suburbs (AsuMut), funded by the Ministry of Environment. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract This article describes racial and ethnic differences in mortgage payment difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic and examines whether disparities exist in the benefits of the unemployment insurance (UI) program. The sample consisted of 80,797 jobless mortgage borrowers who received or waited for UI benefits between August 2020 and May 2022. Considering individual- and state-level variables in multilevel logistic regressions, we examined rates of mortgage delay in the last month and payment concerns about the next month by racial and ethnic group. Minority borrowers were more likely to have a difficulty in paying mortgage than White borrowers. UI recipients—regardless of race and ethnicity—were less likely to experience mortgage difficulties, but the positive unemployment benefit was reduced disproportionately among Blacks. Blacks were also at a higher risk of mortgage difficulties compounded by other pandemic-induced hardships—loss of household, lack of food, and mental illness—even after the receipt of UI. Findings on the intersection between race and ethnicity and UI suggest that pandemic policy interventions should be race conscious and consider the longstanding and systematic barriers experienced by minority mortgage borrowers. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract Do informal and formal mechanisms of guardianship work together to reduce residential burglary' In this article we argue that informal guardianship moderates the relationship between formal mechanisms of guardianship and residential burglary. Formal guardianship requires some level of social cohesion and trust to be effective against residential burglary. We test this argument with the use of robust panel quantile methods controlling for time effects, spatial effects, and alternative explanations. Using Mexico City neighborhood crime and census data, we show evidence of a moderating weakening effect of informal guardianship on the previous relationship, particularly in deprived neighborhoods and only in the upper quantiles of the residential burglary distribution. In addition, the moderation effects seem to have weakened over time. In sum, the combination of guardianship mechanisms seems to have been more effective in high burglary risk deprived neighborhoods, although their combination seems to have become less relevant. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract Israel’s 272,000 Negev/Naqab Bedouins are citizens. Although they were formerly semi-nomads, some 70% of them now live in urban localities as the result of Israel’s policy of urbanization, which was initially state-imposed. However, 30% still live in villages that are not recognized by the state and they lay traditional claim to land there. These villages lack basic infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, and water, and construction is prohibited. Every house built is subject to demolition. The home demolition policy continues to this day, especially with regard to young men who build a home so they can marry and have a family. This qualitative study was conducted among 15 young Bedouin men who live in unrecognized villages and whose homes were demolished in the past three years. The findings show that this policy affects their financial, personal, and familial situation and their attitude toward the state. The findings also reveal how they contend with the policy. The study contributes to the literature on administrative home demolitions, which have been relatively less studied than other forms of Israeli home demolition. The authors recommend prioritizing restoring the young men’s trust in the state and its laws and resolution of the issue of the unrecognized villages and the land ownership claims. They also recommend providing therapy and support for the young men whose experience of home demolitions has been traumatic. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract The increase in the aging population who require care has created a growing demand for housing that can support their independence and wellbeing. As loss of meaningful social connection is a common occurrence in advanced age, its maintenance has been identified as a fundamental contributor to ongoing quality of life (QoL). This article examines the relationship between theories of person-environment (P-E) fit and QoL focusing on the role of the built environment in facilitating social connectedness. Through an ethnographical investigation, the lived experiences and spatial use of 30 older adults with care needs, living in seniors housing complexes in New Zealand were collected through semi-structured interviews and daytime observations. Analysis based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis revealed four core themes for meaningful social connections that were influenced by the housing environment, namely, accommodating personal guests, living as a couple, maintaining relationships with neighbors, and keeping connections to the wider community. The research highlights the diverse social needs of this cohort due to life situations and functional ability. It emphasizes the need for a good P-E fit, as circumstances change with particular attention to the multifaceted influence of housing environments on QoL. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract The association between housing and health is widely concerning; however, few studies exist about the mechanisms linking housing and health to a global city with extremely high housing costs and tiny living areas. In Hong Kong, despite an increasing population living in subdivided units, the impact of tiny living areas on resident health has not been sufficiently researched. The purpose of this study is to further explore the experiences of residents living in subdivided units to understand how housing elements influence physical and mental health. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with subdivided unit residents in Hong Kong. This study extends a theoretical framework of housing impact on health (based on the Four Cs) to the Five Cs: (1) cost, (2) condition, (3) consistency, (4) context, (5) constitution. The results indicated that high rent prices, small living areas, poor environments, and precarious situations severely impacted the physical and mental health of residents. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract This study aims to analyze the effect of satisfaction with housing and neighborhood on the life satisfaction of residents with higher economic status living in gated communities, which are a symbol of a privileged lifestyle. In line with the aim, the study was conducted in the Balat neighborhood in the city of Bursa in Turkey where there are many gated communities, and the population is dominated by residents with high socioeconomic status. By employing the stratified sampling technique, data were collected from 217 residents living in six housing estates in this zone. The collected data were analyzed with respect to the given value and satisfaction of participants with their housing estate, their residence, and the features of the neighborhood, as well as their views on neighborhood relations, the characteristics of the housing area and neighborhood, their sense of belonging, and their general life satisfaction. The collected data were reviewed through reliability analysis, frequency distribution, descriptive statistics, and logistic regression analysis. The analysis that was executed in the gated community settlements where residents with a high socioeconomic status live in Balat showed that multiple dimensions, including housing, the housing area, and satisfaction with the neighborhood, combined to holistically affect individuals’ life satisfaction levels. The study aims to offer a different perspective by linking life satisfaction with the living environment to offer a better quality of life (QoL), and a privileged and socially homogenous lifestyle. Finally, suggestions are provided so that the factors that increase life satisfaction can be researched and developed in different housing types for all income groups. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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