Abstract
Children need to be considered front and center in the design of housing- achieving this goal demands a critical thinking of processes and outcomes, with a dedicated focus on ensuring equity. The current housing crises significantly impact accommodation quality and affordability, leaving numerous low-income families without proper homes. Poor-quality housing has a particularly adverse effect on children; it hampers their chances of reaching their full potential, perpetuates disadvantage cycles, and deprives them of the nurturing environment they need to thrive. Prioritizing equity for children within the housing environment holds great significance, as it fosters an environment that ensures inclusive access to shelter, amenities, and opportunities, regardless of their backgrounds. While previous research has investigated the housing needs of low-income families broadly, there is limited information that focuses on children’s needs. Therefore, by deploying systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, the current study explores and categorizes the needs of children in low-income families and identifies how housing design and planning can better fulfill their needs. The authors also argue that designing living environments with sensitivity to equity and inclusivity leads to increased overall life quality of marginalized individuals. The research outcomes present a design and planning guideline that can help architects, planners, and stakeholders on creating equitable housing, by focusing on children’s needs. This guideline encompasses actionable design and planning insights for future housing projects, promoting inclusivity and fairness. Ultimately, the outcomes seek to reshape how professionals approach housing design, fostering positive impacts on diverse user experiences.
Presenters
Paniz Mousavi SamimiStudent, PhD student, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada Brian Sinclair
Professor of Architecture | Former Dean, Architecture, School of Architecture, Planning + Landscape, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Children’s Needs, Critical Thinking, Equitable Housing, Inclusivity, Low-income Families
