Modeling Sustainable Housing for Sustainable Development in Cities and Communities: The Perspective of a Developing Economy

Many are the goals for sustainable housing. These goals are evinced in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as requirements for adequate shelter. Consequently, various policies have been implemented, yet sustainable housing development remains elusive. This chapter reports a study which models the impacts of various influencing factors (i.e., barriers, risks, and success factors) on attaining the SDGs in housing for sustainable development in cities and communities. Data were garnered via a questionnaire survey of respondents in the formal sector of the Ghanaian housing market. Through the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the data were analyzed. Results of the analysis revealed the groups of barriers, risks, and critical success factors (CSFs) which could significantly influence the attainment of the SDGs and circularity (i.e., longer use via maintenance; innovation for adaptability, flexibility, and secondary materials usage) in housing. Findings of the study regarding the barriers and the risks seek to apprise policymakers of primary and secondary factors for efficient resource allocation. Moreover, findings on the success factors could inform policymakers and practitioners on effective and efficient policies for sustainability and circular economy in housing while pointing out policies that could be ineffective and counterproductive.