A comparative study of space utilization in rental and hire-purchase residential unit for low income of the National Housing Authority : a case study of Kahachumchon Ramkhamhaeng Project with Kahachumchon Orngern Phase 1 Project
Abstract:
This study aims to compare the space utilization, attitudes, and utilization problems of Type A low-income residents in rental and hire-purchase units under the National Housing Authority as well as to provide suggestions and guidelines for improving residential unit designs. The samples were Ramkhamhaeng Housing Project (rental) and Or-ngern Phase 1 Housing Project (hire-purchase). Data were collected by interviews, observations, sketches and photography, and then analyzed by statistical methods. Also, layouts of furniture were constructed as layers. The results were as follows. The residents in the hire-purchase unit had longer and more continuous occupancy. In contrast, the rental unit had changing groups of residents with the number of residents increasing over time. In addition, the spaces in both types of unit were not sufficient, especially multi-functional and balcony areas. This problem was more severe with families with more than five members. For example, spaces were used for keeping both necessary and unnecessary items, resulting in ineffective space utilization and an increased likelihood of fire accidents. Also, 17.5 percent of the samples earned their living by working in their residence, further exacerbating space problems. As for the utilization of multi-functional areas, the hire-purchase unit residents set the most inside sections of their rooms as private areas by using furniture to divide these from the other sections, whereas the rental unit residents could do this only when there were not more than four of them sharing one room. Additionally, in terms of the utilization of balcony areas, the problems found were the inadequate spaces for supporting several types of activities and use of large household equipment. When both types of units were analyzed, the residents could be classified into three groups: 1) households with one to three members, requiring an area of 31-32 m2, 2) households consisting of three to four members, requiring an area of 40 m2, and 3) households comprising five to six members, requiring an area of more than 40 m2. Suggestions were made in two respects: improvements on the existing residential units and the designs of new ones. As for the first one, the residents should be educated on how to arrange their items and choose furniture in order to achieve optimum space utilization. Specifically, it was recommended that the vertical areas of the units and balcony areas be utilized more, e.g. using wall cabinets and clotheshorses. Furthermore, more rules should be enacted on working within the residential units. With regards to the designs of new units, the residents space utilization needs should be taken into account. Specifically, the new units should fall into two sizes: 1) those with an area of no less than 32 m2 for households with one to three members and 2) those with an area of no less than 40 m2 for households with four to six members. As for households with more than six members, renting or buying another residential unit should be required. Finally, balcony areas should be increased to more than 4.5-5.0 m2 so as to sufficiently support food preparation and cooking, cleaning, and washing and sun-drying clothes.