A Comparative Study on User Satisfaction in Terms of Spatial Flexibility and Adaptability of Housing

In recent years, increasing population growth in cities resulted in mass housing construction with typical plan arrangements that caused dissatisfaction of dwellers regarding housing quality. Existing mass housing does not meet users’ changing needs due to lack of some degree of flexibility and adaptability in housing design during early design stages. Dwellers’ satisfaction increases if they have the opportunity to adjust their housing with their changing needs and expectations. The main aim of this research is to evaluate dwellers’ satisfaction in terms of spatial flexibility and adaptability. This study is expected to prepare a guideline for designers and users to increase housing satisfaction regarding spatial flexibility and adaptability. First, significant factors about housing, mass housing, housing quality, dwellers' satisfaction, and flexibility and adaptability have been extracted from a literature survey. In the next stage, a brief explanation about the emergence of mass housing in North Cyprus is given. In the following, four residential apartment groups constructed in different decades, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, from different construction companies are selected to evaluate their satisfaction level in terms of spatial flexibility and adaptability. Data is collected through observation, questionnaires, and interviews, and SPSS software is used for analysis of questionnaires. The plans of buildings are drawn to show the original plan and the modified plan. The alterations which were done by users over time to adjust their housing to their changing needs are shown by physical analysis. The flexibility and adaptability of case studies is evaluated according to the criteria which is extracted from literature review. Finally, the results show the relationship between alteration possibilities and satisfaction level. Keywords: mass housing, housing quality, dwellers’ satisfaction, flexibility and adaptability, spatial flexibility and adaptability