Chapter 9: Sustainable Development of Housing

Question 1

State how housing affects the natural environment.

Answer 1

1) Natural Resources
2) Environmental Pollution

Question 2

Explain how housing developments uses natural resources.

Answer 2

1) Land needs to be cleared to make space -> depletion of forests
2) Furniture is made of wood -> depletion of forests
3) Electricity from natural gas -> extracted from environment
4) Appliances is made of steel -> mining
5) Large cities use a lot of water -> water

Question 3

Explain how housing developments affect environmental pollution.

Answer 3

1) Land pollution due to soil contamination (factory chemicals, sewage)
It is garbage and industrial waste, mining.
2) Water pollution
- Direct washing at water bodies
- Direct defecating into water bodies near slums
- Leakage of fuel from storage tanks into water bodies
- Dumping of untreated waste discharge from factories into water bodies
- Agrochemicals from agriculture are washed into water bodies
- Surface runoff
3) Air pollution
- Burning of fossil fuels
- emissions from industries and motor vehicles
- major risk to health

Question 4

How does access to housing affect people?

Answer 4

1) Provision of basic needs
- Sanitation
- Access to water
- Access to electricity
- Improve quality of life
2) Presence of amenities
- useful features of a place that makes life easier for its residents.
- examples: grocery shops, clinics, eateries, markets etc.
3) Presence of communities
- To meet the social needs of residents
- Spaces for social gatherings to get to know neighbours, make friends and seek companionship.
- Examples: Playground, Community Centre, Void Deck

Question 5

State how can housing be sustainably managed.

Answer 5

1) Integrated Land-Use Planning
2) Provision of inclusive housing
3) Environmental features
4) Improvements to slums

Question 6

Explain and evaluate integrated land-use planning

Answer 6

1) different stakeholders come together to make decisions on how the city should be developed and managed to coordinate their activities in a sustainable fashion
2) Pros:
- Economic, social and environmental needs are better met.
- Needs of different groups and their competing demands can be resolved.
3) Cons:
- Requires the coordination of many stakeholders, which is difficult to do in some countries where many different groups have many competing perspectives.

Question 7

Explain inclusive public housing

Answer 7

1) Provides a range of housing to cater for different groups.
2) Ensures all of urban population can have access to housing that meets their varying needs
3) Inclusive features such as ramps, braille which allows those regardless of age and physical abilities to feel at ease in their housing estates.

Question 8

Explain and evaluate environmental features in buildings

Answer 8

1) Promotes healthy interpersonal relationships, incorporating environmentally friendly technologies into the construction of homes.
2) Promote sustainability.
3) Examples:
- solar panels -> offset electrical consumption
- water-efficient fittings -> minimise water consumption
- use of green roofs and walls -> reduce surrounding temperatures
4) Pros:
- Lead to cost savings in the long run
5) Cons:
- Expensive to install
- Features may be perceived as being inconvenient

Question 9

Explain and evaluate improvements to the conditions of slums.

Answer 9

1) Enhances living conditions of those living in these areas rather than to demolish and resettle.
2) Pros:
- Improves quality of life of the occupants
3) Cons:
- Run contrary to long-term city development plans since these informal housing settlements are built on plots of land not intended for housing use
- Does not solve unemployment, crime rate and stigmatisation