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Chapter
Introductory Chapter: Sustainable
Housing – Introduction to the
Thematic Area
Amjad Almusaed and Asaad Almssad
1. Introduction
One of the most critical phenomena in the real estate sector to reduce the
environmental impact and climate change is sustainable houses. “All nature strives
for self-preservation,” said the philosopher Cicero. And residents of megalopolises,
too, increasingly began to think about the future of cities and how to improve the
environmental background around their place of residence. One of the most inno-
vative urban developments in the twenty-first century is the design of buildings and
entire neighborhoods in sustainable architecture. Ebenezer Howard, whose 1902
book was entitled Garden City of Tomorrow and whose political and social agenda
has recently made a comeback [1]. The idea of sustainability involves enhancing the
quality of life, thus allowing people to live in a healthy environment with improved
social, economic, and environmental conditions [2]. In addition, this type of build-
ing facilitates the most respected lifestyle with the territory, reducing the ecological
footprint.
Sustainability is an essential subject in the housing research area, and it is a
challenging theme for city inhabitants, builders, and architects around the world.
And it is a complex theme for city inhabitants, builders, and architects around the
world. In general, a sustainable building is environmentally friendly high-tech
architecture. It strives to minimize the negative impact on the environment through
the efficient and thoughtful use of materials, energy, space, and the ecosystem.
Sustainable housing design focuses on energy conservation, environmental pro-
tection, and many other supporting factors. Sustainable housing aims to provide
affordable, sustainable housing for all city inhabitants. Therefore, sustainable
housing provides and discusses sustainable housing in the context of affordability.
Housing costs include initial construction costs and building operation and main-
tenance costs. Therefore, low-cost housing based on the entire life cycle is the real
low-cost housing; high-quality housing means that the housing needs to have good
building quality and focus on providing users with high-quality living conditions.
In the final analysis, the house is for the occupants [3]. A healthy and livable indoor
and outdoor environment is more conducive to the physical and mental health of
the occupants.
A sustainable house is not just a fashion trend or a trend from the West. In
today’s world, rising energy prices and the finite nature of these resources raise
the acute problem of the operating costs of housing. The development of energy-
efficient buildings is now being actively pursued in Europe, where government
programs have been developed to bring all facilities to a low level of energy con-
sumption. The sustainable house has ecological materials, uses recyclable systems,
and is supplied by clean energy. Sustainability is a broad and complex concept,
1
Sustainable Housing
which has become one of the significant issues in housing buildings. In the process
of developing ideas in the field of sustainable housing design, dozens of specialists,
such as architects, urban planners, ecologists, sociologists, and others, calculate
how houses will interact with the surrounding architectural environment, for
example, whether a building will cast a shadow on nearby buildings. In the present
day, sustainable homes are invariably linked to making buildings as comfortable
and convenient as possible worldwide. The building sector is increasing by invest-
ing 30–40% of total global essential resources [4]. Buildings and users consume
energy and resources that create waste on a large scale, and we are tied to the
current construction methods about resource and energy consumption, waste
emissions, and environmental damage. The primary objective of sustainable design
and construction is to minimize buildings’ negative ecological, social, and economic
impacts. Fast development in many countries across the globe has made significant
incontrollable construction waste, thus creating considerable adverse effects on the
environment such as increased soil, water, and air pollution, which contribute to
climate change, health hazards, and ecological imbalance [5]. The concept refers
to buildings planned with a sustainable development concept, including building
materials. Buildings, the size of urban areas, etc., to the functional, economic,
social, cultural, and ecological factors related to these. When our housing is poorly
designed, it leaves a legacy with adverse social, economic, and environmental side
effects for the next generation. The complex and challenging plan of sustainability
requires a fundamental change in our understanding of nature, the purpose of the
buildings, the architects and the builder’s role, and the users of the facilities. Users’
habits, behavior, and lifestyle in everyday practice are topics for discussion due to
the environmental challenges facing the world. It becomes at once our own culture
that is the focal point of the debate. If our own culture can change because of
environmental problems, it will sooner or later influence the architectural design to
reflect inhabitants’ cultural and social values. One of the most critical phenomena
in the housing sector to reduce the impact on the environment and climate change is
the sustainable housing concept: houses that use ecological materials, use a recy-
cling system and are supplied with clean energy.
Additionally, these housing types promote the environment and the most
respected lifestyles, reducing their ecological footprint. The house is a living space,
home, room, or apartment in which one or more people permanently live [6]. A
house usually contains areas for cooking, hygiene, and sleep. In addition, often
spaces for socializing, family life, and solemn occasions. The house not only fills the
requirements, but it is also a pleasure. From the child’s stacking of bricks to learning
how to master the heavens and space to self-expression, construction is something
that concerns us all deeply [7].
A residential building is usually defined as a house where at least half of the area
is intended as a living space. Housing can be defined as an “industry of protection
and comfort.” In the first place, it protects humans from various aggressions against
which they feel the need to defend themselves. In a history of societies that have
made human settlements (unequally) safer, the essential requirement of shelter
is outweighed by comfort and well-being. During the 1980s, the assumption that
development and the environment were incompatible was increasingly questioned
[8]. Views that a future growth based on sustainable utilization of natural resources
was an option gradually emerged. Therefore, it was decided in 1983 at the UN that
a World Commission on Environment and Development should be set up. Since the
Rio Declaration, which is also the origin of the Environmental Summit, the term
sustainable has referred to economic activities that consider the global environment
[9]. Sustainable housing is a long-lived housing that is easy to live in and will be
passed down to the next human generation.
2
Introductory Chapter: Sustainable Housing – Introduction to the Thematic Area
DOI: [Link]
2. Sustainable housing concept and designs
Housing is a shelter that provides primary living conditions such as safe housing,
drinking water, and healthy food for humans [10]. Even in developed countries,
low-income families often have no housing for economic reasons or face health and
safety problems caused by poor housing quality [11]. Sustainable architecture is
mainly embodied in the overall planning of ecological, economic, and social and
cultural sustainability. Sustainable housing is guided by the concept of sustain-
able development, carries out reasonable planning and design, effectively utilizes
resources in the process of construction and use, minimizes the impact on the
environment, and provides residents with health and comfort. A safe space, a living
carrier that enables people to be satisfied in an elegant environment [12].
The new housing design concerns the thoughtful activity of the actor who cre-
ates the artifact providing man with the place of his protection and comfort. This
acceptation of the term conception, thus understood as cognitive activity, can admit
another, broader one, making it possible to also understand this cognitive activity
within a framework of thought specific to a given period. We will approach the
design of housing by examining how it went from the self-design of its inhabitant
to a complex elaboration, both in terms of the resources it calls on, the knowledge
and techniques it uses, and the skills cooperation it uses. Sustainable housing has an
important role to play in ensuring an adequate quality of human life [13]. The posi-
tive impact of housing can be enhanced by applying conservation principles, eco-
nomic efficiency, social inclusion, and public participation, and adequacy in terms
of culture. Sustainable housing development in the EU region faces many chal-
lenges, driven primarily by globalization, demographic change, climate change, and
the economic crisis. The challenges are that sustainable public housing is typically
different from ordinary construction. Sustainable construction can be different in
heating, venting, technologies used, etc. [14]. This implies that these houses are too
different regarding the necessary knowledge and handling of the operational condi-
tions. Without using petroleum energy, which causes global warming, we will create
homes that use natural clean energy such as solar heat and wind power. In addition,
because it is a residence that considers the cycle of tree growth and regeneration,
it also leads to the effective use of recycled materials such as dismantled old folk
houses [15]. In addition to making the house last longer, sustainable housing is also
characterized by consideration for building a house that can reduce waste when
dismantled and reuse building materials. Sustainable housing where people can
live comfortably forever. In future home building, the idea of sustainable housing
will be strongly required. In sustainable housing, it is considered to create a house
that is friendly to people and the earth everywhere, such as the structure, floor
plan, equipment, and building materials used. By being conscious of building a
house where you can live for a long time, you will not only have the advantage of not
damaging the environment, but you will also be able to build a house that is kind to
the residents [16]. This time let us think about sustainable housing that is kind to
both people and the earth. To talk about sustainable houses, it is required to build
using sustainable materials. It should also be able to generate its own energy and use
its own resources. One of the main features of sustainable energy is the use of solar
generators. Solar panels allow you to use solar energy. Sustainable houses are those
that, being respectful of the environment, take advantage of all available resources
to reduce energy consumption and, therefore, help save on household bills, some-
thing that is always appreciated [17]. These types of houses are integrated into
nature and are in such a way that they make the most of their environment: light,
water. Another aspect of sustainable housing is the reuse of rainwater. You can also
build a generator that can store energy from the wind. But it’s not very pretty. There
3
Sustainable Housing
are several problems with sustainable rates. Perhaps the most important is the price
of the material. And this price is much higher than that of traditional materials.
Even so, the cost is not always high. Some architects and designers have recycled
materials, so they do not cost too much. It should also be considered that sustain-
able housing begins to reduce supply costs. Energy efficiency is essential when
building this type of house [18]. It is also important to include the use of renewable
resources. Construction and materials used must be completely ecological. Water
must be managed intelligently. It is important to achieve comfort in both ventila-
tion and air conditioning in a sustainable house. Recent environmental issues have
attracted worldwide attention. This has stimulated a response in many countries,
which has led to a more in-depth review of energy conservation strategies for
traditional fossil fuels. One way to reduce the energy consumption of buildings
is to design buildings that are more economical in their use of energy for heating,
cooling, ventilating, and lighting [19]. Comfortable lighting conditions can be
achieved, and the highest level of sound insulation can be achieved without the
use of many consumables. That is why a sustainable house must account for energy
efficiency and savings in supply and construction costs over its entire service life.
After obtaining the first building materials, a house can have many years of service
life and maintenance until it is reused. In addition to all of this, it is essential to
enjoy a sustainable home based on its architecture. At the heart of maintaining
sustainable homes are the three R’s of sustainability: reduce, recycle, and reuse.
Resource utility and technical efficiency must be maximized. However, it’s not all
that beautiful. Sustainable rates have several problems. Perhaps the most important
is the price of the materials. And this is because the price is much higher than that
of traditional materials. The costs should not always be higher. There are some
architects and designers who have managed to recycle materials so that the expenses
are not too high. In addition, it must also be considered that sustainable homes start
saving supply costs the principle compared with a traditional home. In the long run,
this is a big saving economically and environmentally [20]. To create a competi-
tive advantage using environment-friendly construction practices, the whole life
cycle of buildings should, therefore, be the context under which these practices are
carried out.
3. Sustainable housing under EU platform
The principles and strategies for standard urban policies in the EU countries,
including guidelines for affordable and sustainable housing and social housing,
are set out in the Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities [21]. As part of
the EU Housing Agenda Partnership on Housing, EU countries and cities work
with the European Commission and other stakeholders to promote good quality,
affordable housing. Among the measures proposed are those in public housing
support, funding opportunities, and general housing policies and knowledge. To
talk about sustainable houses, it is required to build using sustainable materials. It
should also generate its energy and use its resources. One of the main features of
sustainable energy is the use of solar generators. Solar panels allow you to use solar
energy. Sustainable houses are those that, being respectful of the environment, take
advantage of all available resources to reduce energy consumption and, therefore,
help save on household bills, something that is always appreciated. These types of
houses are integrated into nature and are in such a way that they make the most of
their environment: light, water. Another aspect of sustainable housing is the reuse
of rainwater. You can also build a generator that can store energy from the wind. But
it’s not very pretty.
4
Introductory Chapter: Sustainable Housing – Introduction to the Thematic Area
DOI: [Link]
4. Conclusion
This chapter, directly or indirectly, deals with the problem of housing and
sustainable housing requirements. Several priorities have been identified among the
wide range of specific tasks, conditions, and means of implementing Sustainable
Development. These include promoting the sustainable development of human
settlements (solving the housing problem). There are several problems with
sustainable rates. Perhaps the most important is the price of the material. And
this price is much higher than that of traditional materials. Even so, the cost is not
always high. Some architects and designers have recycled materials, so they do
not cost too much. It should also be considered that sustainable housing begins to
reduce supply costs. Principles compared with traditional assumptions. This is a
great long-term economically and environmentally friendly savings. For sustain-
able housing to be attractive to the public, the cost factor is very important. The
consumer knows that he will recover the investment in a certain number of years, so
he can bear higher construction costs. It should reflect the amount of electricity and
water bills that will be saved over time.
Despite all the points discussed, the economic aspect is paramount. Here an
excellent architectural and design management comes into play so that the cost
may not be very high. In addition, it is interesting that the design of the house is
quite attractive. Creating such an optimal building concept with minimal energy
consumption and environmental impact represents a complex optimization task of
elaborate planning, where partial aspects are pushed to the background in favor of
the overall performance of the building or used in the whole context correctly: such
integrated planning, resp. The design offers a real chance to reduce material costs
and mainly operating costs because, e.g., the planning of the technical equipment
of buildings does not begin with the planning of the building but with the planning
of its external space. Therefore, it becomes essential to select technologies that can
be used to create sustainable housing by an objective process. This applies not only
to individual houses but also to settlements of any scale. Living in such houses and
settlements will create the preconditions for the formation of ecological conscious-
ness and give an additional chance for a sustainable healthy life of our civilization.
Author details
Amjad Almusaed1* and Asaad Almssad2
1 Department of Construction Engineering and Lighting Science, Jonkoping
University, Sweden
2 Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Sweden
*Address all correspondence to: [Link]@[Link]
© 2022 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms
of the Creative Commons Attribution License ([Link]
by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited.
5
Sustainable Housing
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