Single Family Homes and Densified Low-rise Housing - an Analysis of Motives

Status

finished

Summary

Aims of the project

There are numerous economic and ecological arguments for the economical use of the limited land available, especially land used for housing. However, these arguments find very little expression in social practice. The proposed study is a contribution towards increasing the social acceptance and attraction of densified housing.

Subject matter

The study concentrates on describing the reasons behind the slow uptake of space-saving, densified forms of housing, and explains the dominant preference for detached single-family homes. However, it goes beyond simply describing the decisive motives for choices of housing. The study analyses the determining factors and the basic conditions under which these motives come or came into being. Based on this analysis, alternatives will be proposed and evaluated with regard to their effectiveness and feasibility.

Methods

Empirical social analysis methods are uppermost, including structured, qualitative interviews, standardised oral and written questionnaires as well as one technique from the Delphi method (feedback). The ex-ante evaluation of the proposed measures is based partly on random sampling and partly on expert evaluation.

Project schedule

The project is divided into four phases:

1. Preparation work: Typology and selection of the areas to be studied, organisation of the necessary contacts, development of interview structure and questionnaires.
2. Investigation on the level of resident and interested households: In-depth interviews, standardised written questionnaires for those interested in or resident in single-family homes and densified forms of housing.
   
3. Investigation at local and regional level: Interviews with those responsible for housing policy at regional level (environmental planning, housing subsidies, real estate transactions) and in selected local councils (mayors, planning policy committees, local building contractors). Interviews with experts from construction finance, prefabricated house production, advertising).
   
4. Summary, presentation: Feedback on expert proposals from residents and interested households, follow-up investigation, final report, presentation conference.

Expected results

An overview of the decisive motives in the choice between these two forms of housing, analysis of the social determinants for these motives, evaluation of the effectiveness of activities to increase the attraction of alternative forms of housing.

Contact

DI Peter Moser
SRZ Urban+Regional Research Ltd
Lindengasse 26/2/3
A 1070 Wien
Tel.: +43 1 523 89 53
Fax: +43 1 523 89 535
E-Mail: srz@srz-gmbh.com