Adaptable Housing for Low Income Groups in Northern Cyprus

ABSTRACT: In order to clarify the research questions in respect of this issue of adaptability in residential buildings, the importance and necessity of considering adaptability issues are researched and dealt with in this study. The need for adaptability varies over time due to the differing needs and requirements of the users, thus, in order to classify and explain the main issues in terms of adaptability; only the basic and general principles are explained. The need for adaptability in residential buildings can be classified into three main categories; 1.functional, 2. socio-psychological and 3.economical. Functional requirements depend on the arrangement of the household, the number of household members. Life style of the household members, the types of activities, the age of the members and their relative activities, the type of equipment used by the household members and the way in which they use that equipment. All of these functional issues and aspects mentioned above involve specific social and psychological requirements that elevate or increase the importance the need for and the importance of developing and implementing the concept of adaptability in housing. The main objective of the study was to adapt and develop the design criteria for the residential requirements of social housing apartments in Northern Cyprus. Particular emphasis is placed on their use of space for adapting home plans to meet the principle that social housing is primarily available to people on a low income. This research develops, demonstrates and describes several solutions for making the social housing apartments more adaptable in the future by applying the principles of open building. As a conclusion, the study attempts to highlight the necessity of integrating and implementing the principles of adaptability, and considers how to facilitate motivate and encourage this concept in a discursive way, in respect of opening paths of communication and participation between residents or prospective residents and the relevant authorities. The first step in this process could be, by e.g. ensuring or implementing the effective distribution and sharing of appropriate and relevant information by the housing information services. It is also very important that technical advice is made available to the users of social housing projects. Consequently, a general change in the design planning and process of social housing in Northern Cyprus is put forward and this rests upon the design and construction of support structures and the participatory role of household members to formulate their own infill plan configurations with the benefit of available technical help and support, which should then be applied. Keywords: Social housing, Adaptability, Low income group. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………