Integrated Design Approach for Housing of the Urban Poor: The Case of Pakistan

Success of a housing program depends on compatibility of its housing provision with the needs, resources, and priorities of the target group. This is especially true for housing programs in developing countries, which often do not reach the urban poor. This paper argues that the main reason for their failure is the design approach that is used to develop them. The paper addresses two major questions: What is the framework that explains the success or failure of different housing programs? and, What design approach should architects adopt, and the role they should play, so as to reach the urban poor? Different households have different needs, resources, and priorities in various aspects of housing. The conventional design approach addresses only a few aspects and produces incompatible housing. An integrated design approach, on the other hand, addresses all related aspects of housing and achieves compatibility. The Khuda-ki-Basti incremental development scheme in Hyderabad, Pakistan demonstrates that compatible housing can reach the urban poor. To produce compatible housing, the conventional approach needs to be modified to an integrated approach. This, in turn, requires broadening the architects’ role and changing the focus of architectural education in the arena of housing for the urban poor.

https://doi.org/10.35483/ACSA.Intl.1995.81

Volume Editors
John K. Edwards