Explaining the qualitative components of sustainable housing in contemporary urban developments with an emphasis on the role of collective spaces and social interactions

Somayeh roshanfekr¹

1) PhD in Architecture, National University of Singapore, Singapore

IOI Code : AADG-AAHKEG
Publication : The second international conference on new approaches in engineering and basic sciences(icnabs.ir/2nd)
Abstract :
    Housing, as the most basic physical element of the city, plays a decisive role in urban sustainability. However, in contemporary urban developments, the emphasis is often on the quantitative and technical dimensions of housing and its qualitative and social dimensions are neglected. This article aims to explain the qualitative components of sustainable housing with special emphasis on the vital role of collective spaces and social interactions in contemporary residential developments. The research method of this study is qualitative, using the type of content analysis, which was carried out by systematically reviewing the extensive and authoritative scientific literature in the fields of architecture, urban planning, social sciences, and the environment. The research findings show that the qualitative components of sustainable housing can be categorized into four main axes: 1) socio-cultural sustainability with the subcomponents of social capital, sense of belonging and identity, security and spatial justice, 2) physical-functional sustainability with the subcomponents of flexibility and revitalization capacity, design quality and aesthetics, and access to services and facilities, 3) environmental-ecological sustainability with the subcomponents of energy and resource efficiency, connection with nature and resilience to hazards, and 4) economic sustainability with the subcomponents of affordability and sustainable livelihood. In the meantime, collective spaces, as the connecting link between these dimensions, are a platform for the formation of social interactions, strengthening social capital, creating a sense of spatial belonging, and ultimately realizing social sustainability of housing. The qualitative design of these spaces—whether semi-private, semi-public, or public—taking into account factors such as accessibility, legibility, activity diversity, comfort, and safety can lead to the creation of dynamic, vibrant, and sustainable residential environments. This article concludes that an integrated, human-centered approach that simultaneously addresses all qualitative dimensions of housing and the pivotal role of public spaces is the only possible strategy for achieving truly sustainable residential developments in contemporary cities.

Keywords : sustainable housing qualitative components collective spaces social interactions contemporary urban development social sustainability