Towards a Sustainable Housing Development: A case of Libyan Housing

Date

2006-9

Type

Conference paper

Conference title

XXXIV IAHS World Congress on Housing Sustainable Housing Design Emphasizing Urban Housing September 20-23, 2006, Naples, Italy

Author(s)

Ramadan Taher Belgasem Dboba

Abstract

This paper aims at finding means for restructuring residential areas in Libya so they can became sustainable. It will employ a method of evaluation to achieve its objectives. Libyan housing programs lack studies that focus on the quality of housing environment. In Libya, design profession is faced with continuous criticism for their design inefficacy. They are also confused with what constitute sustainable housing. Architects and planners, by and large, depend on their image of the world while designing. The objective is to determine sustainable elements of housing design and to reach some conclusion that can be useful for enhancing the design quality of living environment. The characteristics of existing built environment are vital to the design and sustainability of new housing development. A study of some housing projects reveals a number of hypotheses to improve housing milieu and in turn the quality of life of its residents. Project size and open spaces can be reduced to increase users control over their surroundings. While elevation and floor plan of individual units can be designed in relation to family and individual needs for privacy, comfort, and expression