Housing Quality Assessment Model Based on the Spatial Characteristics of an Apartment

Abstract

Today more than ever, people are demanding higher-quality housing, and therefore, there is an increasing need for scientifically sound methods of systematic housing assessment that are capable of addressing multiple, conflicting, and irreconcilable aspects in both qualitative and quantitative terms. Existing studies and models often use a relatively small number of indicators and consider housing quality from a single perspective. This paper presents a methodology used to develop a model for assessing the quality of multiple conflicting spatial characteristics of an apartment. Through a literature review and a survey of 12 architects, 24 spatial indicators were identified and then classified into five categories: (i) additional rooms, (ii) room size, (iii) window orientation and ventilation, (iv) circulation, and (v) spatial organization. Finally, the overall rating of the apartment is calculated as the sum of the ratings of all indicator categories, where the share of each category in the overall rating and desirable characteristics of the apartment is determined by the user. The model was tested on the example of two apartments in the city of Osijek, Croatia.

Residents’ and Architects’ Perceptions of Apartments’ Spatial Characteristics—Identifying Differences in Opinion on a Case Study of Osijek, Croatia

“…For the purposes of the study, the Housing Quality Assessment Model (HQAM) developed in previous research by the first author was used [14]. The model was applied to an identical sample of 126 apartment layouts in the city of Osijek (which constitute a significant portion of apartment building stock).…”

“…Also, previous studies assessed the residential quality using different dimensions and criteria, as well as evaluation tools. [14]. The results of these studies tend to vary from country to country, suggesting that housing satisfaction is a very contextdependent construct [34] and that appropriate studies are needed in case-specific situations.…”

“…These tools assess housing quality on the basis of many dimensions (e.g., housing, building, location, neighbourhood, socio-economic dimension, etc. ), but often, a dimension is only determined by a few indicators that do not allow a realistic assessment of that dimension [14]. Since potential residents come from different economic backgrounds, live in different countries, climates and cultures, and have different perceptions of housing quality, a single, standardised assessment tool may not be appropriate [14].…”

“…), but often, a dimension is only determined by a few indicators that do not allow a realistic assessment of that dimension [14]. Since potential residents come from different economic backgrounds, live in different countries, climates and cultures, and have different perceptions of housing quality, a single, standardised assessment tool may not be appropriate [14]. Finally, the family structure [47], the needs [32] and the personal characteristics of the residents [66] lead to different expectations of the home.…”

“…Finally, the family structure [47], the needs [32] and the personal characteristics of the residents [66] lead to different expectations of the home. For this reason, the residents' attitudes, needs and wishes must be taken into account in the home assessment [14].…”