SARA 3905- URBAN HOUSING

HANDLED BY
Ar. Shruthi Natarajan
Assistant Professor
Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology

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 SYLLABUS DISCUSSION

UNIT 3 CONCEPTS AND STRATEGIES IN HOUSING DESIGN

Hierarchy of human needs and housing typologies. Study of Housing Concepts –Mass
housing, Low-Cost Housing, Cooperative housing, Housing based on income groups,
Temporary Housing for Post Disaster Mitigation, and Housing for Rehabilitation. Slum-
Upgradation. Housing Design-Traditional Housing, Row Housing, Cluster Housing –
Apartments and high rise relating to Indian situations. Understanding of various housing
categories through case studies- Charles Correa, Raj Rewal and B.V. Doshi.

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 SYLLABUS DISCUSSION

UNIT 3 CONCEPTS AND STRATEGIES IN HOUSING DESIGN

Hierarchy of human needs and housing typologies. Study of Housing Concepts –Mass
housing, Low-Cost Housing, Cooperative housing, Housing based on income groups,
Temporary Housing for Post Disaster Mitigation, and Housing for Rehabilitation. Slum-
Upgradation. Housing Design-Traditional Housing, Row Housing, Cluster Housing –
Apartments and high rise relating to Indian situations. Understanding of various housing
categories through case studies- Charles Correa, Raj Rewal and B.V. Doshi.

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1.1. Hierarchy of human needs and housing typologies

The hierarchy of human needs is a

psychological theory proposed by
Abraham Maslow, which outlines the
levels of needs that motivate human
behavior. Here’s a summary of
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:

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1.2. Housing typologies:

Housing typologies refer to the classification of different types of housing based on

various characteristics such as design, size, layout, and intended use.

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2.1.Study of Housing Concepts –Mass housing, Low-Cost Housing, Cooperative housing

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 MANAGEMENT
SCALE

FUNDING
Scale and Purpose: Funding and Management and
Mass Housing: Large- Ownership: Community:
scale, addresses housing Mass Housing: Mass Housing:
shortages. Government/private Managed by government
Low-Cost Housing: developer-funded. or developers.
Focus on affordability for Low-Cost Housing: Low-cost housing:
low-income groups. Subsidies and financial Basic amenities, minimal
Cooperative Housing: assistance. community involvement.
Emphasis on collective Cooperative Housing: Cooperative Housing:
ownership and Member-financed, Resident-managed, high
management. collectively owned. community engagement.

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2. 1. Mass housing refers to the
large-scale construction of residential
buildings to accommodate a significant
number of people, typically aimed at
addressing housing shortages. These
projects are often initiated by
governments, private developers, or a
combination of both, and are designed to
be cost-effective, efficient, and
standardized to expedite the building
process.

Mass housing developments usually

include multi-unit buildings such as
apartments or condominiums and are
often accompanied by necessary
infrastructure like roads, schools, and
healthcare facilities. The primary goal is to
provide affordable housing options for low
to middle-income families, thereby
improving living conditions and reducing
homelessness.
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BENEFITS OF MASS HOUSING

Social Benefits: Public Health Benefits:

•Improved living conditions •Improved public health
•Community development •Access to healthcare
•Reduction in homelessness Urban Planning and
Economic Benefits: Development Benefits:
•Job creation •Infrastructure development
•Economic growth •Balanced urban growth
•Increased property values •Disaster resilience
Environmental Benefits: Social Equity Benefits:
•Efficient land use •Inclusive communities
•Sustainable building practices •Access to opportunities
•Reduced carbon footprint

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Octavia Hill Housing 1838 - 1912

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 MASS HOUSING IS A MESS?

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Light House Project, Perumbakkam Ar. Shruthi Natarajan 15
 UDAAN, low cost mass housing project at Mumbai by Sameep Padora and Associates:

Total BUA proposed: 19080 sq.mt

Total Units proposed (assuming 300 sq.ft):
522 Phase wise allocation:
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Phase 2: 267
1. The issue at hand is to provide:
1.well connected
2.low-cost
3.mass housing
4.matching growing aspirations 3. Understanding the requirement.

Learning from the research into indigenous housing

2. The Solution: typologies, for migrant workers in Mumbai, led to four
The solution is multi-pronged- variant designs based on the same grid. Each satisfied the
A. Site- Well connected, adequately sized to requirements of a particular type of family.
upscale 1.1 RK
B. Execution/Technology- Precast concrete 2.1 BHK
modules/wet pods serving as structural 3.Mezzanine Unit
elements 4.Mixed Unit
But most critically,
C. Design- a modular, but non-repetitive
scheme, with a mix of 1 Room Kitchen (RK) and
1 Bedroom Kitchen (BHK), which can be
combined to form permutations suiting the
fluid requirements of users, with a minimum
area of 300sq.ft as mandated
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SITE – A CHOICE?

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 2.2. Low-cost housing refers to residential units
designed and built to be affordable for low-income individuals or families.
These housing solutions prioritize necessities like water, sanitation, and
electricity while employing cost-effective construction materials and simple
yet functional designs. Typically supported by government initiatives,
subsidies, or financial assistance programs, low-cost housing aims to provide
decent and safe living conditions for those with limited financial resources. It
plays a vital role in addressing housing shortages, promoting social equity, and
improving overall quality of life by offering affordable housing options that
meet essential needs within sustainable and inclusive communities.

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1. Aranya low cost housing, B.V. Joshi

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•Affordable housing for low and
middle-income families.
•Community-focused design
with courtyards and communal
spaces.
•Various housing types to suit
different needs.
•Sustainable features like
passive solar design and natural
ventilation.
•Basic infrastructure and
amenities provided.
•Opportunities for small-scale
businesses.
•Promotes social equity and
integration among residents.

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2.Chengalchoola Housing, Trivandrum, India

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2.3. Cooperative society:
In a situation where the individuals/body corporate
form a group with the same object of promotion of
economic, social, and cultural interests of its members,
by co-operative principles, or a co-operative society
established with the object of facilitating the operations
of such a co-operative society decides to invest for
mutual benefit, such an association when formed and
is enforceable by the state laws is known
as Cooperative Society.
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Tenant Ownership Housing Societies: –
Where the land is owned by the society or the houses are owned by the members on lease such types of societies
must strictly comply with regulations regarding subletting or transferring of houses but they can construct or build the
houses according to their own requirements.
Tenant Co-Partnership Housing Societies: –
The land with the constructed building is owned by the society and members are on lease basis but members have
right upon property by paying capital and rents. It is also known as flat owner societies.
House Mortgage Societies: –
These types of societies lend money on credit basis to their members for the construction of houses. It is also known
as credit societies.
House Construction or House Building Societies: –
These societies construct or build the houses on behalf of members. Upon completion of constrictions of houses
money is recovered by members.

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In Chennai, India, cooperative housing initiatives provide
residents with shared ownership and management of
their housing communities. Here are a few examples:

1.Besant Nagar Cooperative Housing Society: Located in

the upscale neighborhood of Besant Nagar, this
cooperative society offers residents a community-
oriented living experience with shared facilities and
services.
2.Anna Nagar Cooperative Housing Society: Situated in
one of Chennai's prime residential areas, Anna Nagar
Cooperative Housing Society provides affordable housing
options with a focus on collective ownership and
management.
3.Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) Cooperative
Housing Projects: TNHB has developed several
cooperative housing projects across Chennai, such as in
Ambattur and Sholinganallur, aimed at providing
affordable housing solutions to residents.
4.Mylapore Cooperative Housing Society: This society in
Mylapore promotes community living with shared
amenities and a cooperative management approach,
enhancing social cohesion among residents.
5.Chennai Corporation Cooperative Housing Projects:
The Chennai Corporation has also undertaken cooperative
housing projects in various neighborhoods, offering
cooperative ownership models to residents seeking
affordable housing options in the city.
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Housing Based on Income Groups

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 Housing Based on Income Groups:-

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Affordable housing in Chennai
means a unit costing between ₹
8 and 20 lakh (₹8-10.2 lakh for
EWS and ₹16-20 lakh for LIG
households), based on the
Deepak Parekh Committee’s
definition of affordability. In
practice, however, state
agencies as well as private
builders define affordable
housing by size, referring to
units of 300 to 600 square
feet. This approach has
contributed to making most
“affordable” housing produced
in the city unaffordable to EWS
and LIG households.

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Figures 1 and 2 below show that not only did the public sector account for 91 percent of affordable housing units produced in the city in this period, but that it was a
single agency, the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB), that provided the vast majority of this housing. The two public sector housing agencies, the TNSCB and
the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) together provided 1.2 lakh units of “affordable housing” in Chennai, against a shortage, predominantly in the low-income
segment, of 2.99 lakh houses (as calculated from Census 2011 and the NSSO’s latest Housing and Amenities Survey). Of this, TNSCB accounted for 1.16 lakh “units” –
however, most of this (nearly 56,000 units) was provided under PMAY’s Beneficiary-Led Construction scheme, where households simply received a subsidy of ₹1.5 lakh
to construct a house. The TNHB, which is mandated to construct housing for all income groups, contributed only 6000 units in this category.

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 Temporary Housing for Post-Disaster Mitigation

Temporary housing plays a crucial role in post-disaster mitigation, providing immediate shelter
and stability for those displaced by natural or man-made disasters. Effective temporary
housing solutions are designed to be rapidly deployable, cost-effective, and adaptable to
various environments and needs. Here are some key considerations and examples of
temporary housing for post-disaster scenarios:

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 Livability:
Speed of Deployment: Cost-Effectiveness:
Units should provide a sense
Quick assembly and setup are Affordability is crucial to
of privacy and dignity.
critical to provide immediate ensure that a large number of
relief. units can be deployed. Access to essential services
such as sanitation, clean
Pre-fabricated and modular The use of locally available
water, and electricity is
units are commonly used. materials can reduce costs.
necessary.

Adaptability and Scalability:

Durability and Safety:
Housing solutions should be Community Integration:
Structures must be robust
adaptable to different Housing should promote
enough to withstand
climates and geographic community cohesion and
aftershocks, adverse weather,
locations. support social structures.
and other post-disaster
conditions. Solutions should be scalable The incorporation of
to accommodate varying communal spaces and
Safety standards and codes
numbers of displaced facilities is important.
need to be adhered to.
persons.

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Modular Homes:
• Pre-fabricated sections that can
be quickly transported and
assembled on-site.
• Example: IKEA's Better Shelter,
which is a flat-pack, solar-
powered emergency shelter.

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Tent Cities:
• Large-scale tent deployments that can
house many individuals quickly.
• Often used in the immediate aftermath
of a disaster for short-term
accommodation.

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Container Homes:
• Converted shipping containers that
offer durability and quick setup.
• Can be stacked and arranged in various
configurations to maximize space.

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Shipping Container Cities to Shelter 2 Million Haitians From Hurricanes
Sustainability Contents
•Maintain low
environmental impact
•Contribute to the
Upcycling
industrialization of
recycling materials
•Build a circular economy
•Sustainable materials
Healthy materials •Create healthiest indoor
climate
•Housing is a human
right. The construction of
container houses will
Floating Shipping container House, Flood proof Design
create solutions that
Social responsibility
ensure that even those
with the lowest incomes
can afford a decent place
to live in.

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Yurts and Geodesic Domes:

• Traditional and modern dome structures that

are easy to set up and provide good
insulation.
• Used in various climates due to their
adaptability.

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Rapid Deployment Housing Units:
• Specially designed units that can be air-
dropped or transported to remote areas.
• Often used by military and emergency response
teams.

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Transitional Shelters:
• More permanent structures that provide a bridge
between emergency shelters and long-term housing.
• Example: Transitional shelters used in post-
earthquake Haiti, which were designed to last several
years.

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 The types of temporary housing vary from country
to country according to various factors, such as the
type of natural disasters, environmental conditions,
and economic factors. Hong and Lee
(2009) classified typical temporary housing types
(Table 2).

Compared with steel frames and prefabricated

houses, container houses have several
advantages, such as assembling simplicity, a
comparatively short construction period, and low
costs (Lee, 2012).

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6. Housing Designs

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6.1. Introduction to Traditional
Housing

Traditional Housing: An Overview

•Definition: Traditional housing

refers to structures built using
indigenous materials and
methods, often reflecting the
cultural and environmental
contexts of the region.

•Importance:
• Cultural Significance:
Preserves local heritage
and customs.
• Sustainability: Often eco-
friendly and energy-
efficient.
• Adaptability: Designed to
withstand local climate
conditions.
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6.1. Kerala Traditional Houses
(Nalukettu)
•Architecture:
• Central courtyard
(Nadumuttam) for
ventilation and light.
• Sloping roofs with clay
tiles to handle heavy
monsoon rains.
• Use of timber, laterite
stones, and coconut
palm products

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Japan (Minka)
•Architecture:
• Elevated wooden
structures to withstand
earthquakes.
• Sliding doors (shoji) and
tatami mat flooring.
• Thatched or tiled roofs.

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Morocco (Riad)
•Architecture:
• Courtyard-centered homes with
gardens.
• Intricate tilework and plaster
carvings.
• Thick walls for insulation.

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6.2. Introduction to Row Housing

Key Features of Row Housing

•Design Principles:
• Series of identical or mirror-image
houses sharing side walls.
• Efficient use of land in urban areas.
• Typically, two or three stories high.

•Benefits:
• Cost-effective construction.
• Enhanced community living.
• Maximized land usage.

Importance of Row Housing

•Provides affordable housing solutions.
•Promotes efficient land use in urban
settings.
•Facilitates community integration and
social interaction.

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DDA Row Houses, Delhi:
•Constructed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
•Offer affordable housing solutions catering to different income groups.
•Features include basic amenities like electricity, water, and sewage disposal.
•Example: DDA Housing Scheme 2019 aimed at providing affordable homes to the economically weaker sections and low-income
groups.

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DDA Row house project in Delhi , in scheme 2
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NirvanaRow house project in Calcutta
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CASA GRAND MABELE, Row house project in Tambaram
6.2. Introduction to Cluster Housing

•Definition:
• Cluster housing is a residential development
model where homes are grouped closely
together, often sharing common spaces such
as gardens, courtyards, and walkways. This
design encourages community interaction
and efficient use of land.

•Key Design Principles:

• Proximity: Homes are built close to each

other to maximize land use and encourage
neighborly interactions.
• Shared Spaces: Incorporation of communal
areas like parks, courtyards, and playgrounds.
• Sustainability: Utilization of green building
techniques and environmentally friendly
materials.
• Accessibility: Easy access to public amenities
and transportation
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 "True" Cluster. One proposal, which has been
frequently reprinted, is designed by Myron X.
Feld of Stephen Sussna Associates for Raritan
Township, New Jersey (The American City, July
1959; House & Home, September 1959; New York
Times, January 3, 1960). The grid layout as
originally submitted to the planning board by the
subdivider is illustrated at lower left in Figure 4.
This plan, designed to be built on steep, hilly
terrain, would have contained 94 lots of about
50,000 square feet serviced by approximately
12,000 feet of new roads. The consultants
improved the plan by employing a curvilinear
pattern (lower right of Figure 4) providing for 96
lots with a small saving in road length. However,
Feld states that "any development with lots side
by side and back to back is still residential and
inconsistent with the rural character that these
communities would like to maintain."

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 Back-to-back clusters

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 closed clusters

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Cul de sac clusters

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Independent clusters

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Interlocking clusters

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 Open clusters

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Apartments and high rise relating to Indian situations

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India has witnessed
significant urbanization
in recent years, leading
to a surge in the
demand for residential
spaces, particularly in
major cities. Here are
some key points about
apartments and high-
rise buildings in the
Indian context:

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Urbanization and
Population Growth
•Rapid Urbanization:
India's urban
population has been
growing rapidly, with
cities expanding to
accommodate the
influx of people
seeking better job
opportunities and
living standards.
•Population Density:
Cities like Mumbai,
Delhi, Bangalore, and
Hyderabad have high
population densities,
necessitating the
construction of high-
rise buildings to
optimize space.

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Real Estate Trends
•Demand for Housing: The demand for
housing in urban areas has led to a
boom in the construction of
apartments and high-rise buildings.
This trend is driven by both the
growing middle class and the influx of
migrants to cities.

•Affordable Housing: The government

has introduced various schemes to
promote affordable housing, such as
the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
(PMAY), encouraging the development
of high-rise buildings to maximize the
use of available land.

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Infrastructure and
Technology
•Construction Technology:
Advances in construction
technology have made it feasible
to build taller and more complex
structures. The use of
prefabricated materials, modular
construction, and improved
engineering practices have
enhanced the efficiency and safety
of high-rise construction.

•Smart Cities: The Smart Cities

Mission aims to develop urban
areas with advanced
infrastructure, including high-rise
residential complexes, to improve
the quality of life for residents.

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Challenges

•Regulatory and Safety Issues:

Building high-rises in India comes with
regulatory challenges. Ensuring
compliance with building codes, safety
standards, and environmental
regulations is crucial. Fire safety,
structural integrity, and earthquake
resistance are major concerns.

•Infrastructure Strain: Rapid

urbanization and the construction of
high-rise buildings put a strain on
existing infrastructure, including water
supply, sewage systems, and
transportation networks. Ensuring that
infrastructure keeps pace with
development is essential.

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Environmental Impact
•Sustainability: High-rise buildings
have a significant environmental
impact. Developers are
increasingly adopting green
building practices, such as using
energy-efficient materials,
installing solar panels, and creating
green spaces to mitigate this
impact.

•Resource Management: Efficient

resource management, including
water and energy conservation, is
critical in high-rise buildings to
ensure sustainability and reduce
the environmental footprint.

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Social and Cultural Factors:
•Community Living: High-rise
apartments foster community living,
offering shared amenities such as
gyms, pools, and recreational areas.
This can enhance the quality of life for
residents but may also lead to
challenges in maintaining privacy and
personal space.

•Cultural Adaptation: Adapting to

high-rise living can be challenging for
people accustomed to traditional
single-family homes. Changes in
lifestyle, such as reliance on elevators
and shared spaces, require cultural
adaptation.

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Future Prospects

•Vertical Growth: As cities continue to

expand and land becomes scarcer,
vertical growth through high-rise
buildings will likely remain a key
strategy for accommodating the
growing urban population.

•Technological Innovations: Future

developments in construction
technology, such as 3D printing and
advanced robotics, could further
revolutionize high-rise construction,
making it more efficient, cost-effective,
and sustainable.

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Understanding of various housing categories through case studies-
Charles Correa, Raj Rewal, and B.V. Doshi.

Presentation by students

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