Circularities in Housing Transformation Practices: A Synergetic Review

Rapid urbanizationUrbanization, population growth, and a surge in household formation have outpaced the provision of affordable, decent housing for low-income city dwellers. These households have limited choices and transform existing structures to meet their housing needsHousing needs. Though this housing transformationTransformations primarily focuses on meeting supply needs and strategizing adjustments, it also promotes the concept of circular and sustainable citiesCities. Our review and analysis of the existing literature have allowed us to situate the principlesPrinciples of circularity within housing transformationsTransformations, exploring the synergy between them. We found that households alter, extend, replace, and materially modify existing houses to meet housing needsHousing needs. These practicesPractices align with the principlePrinciples of repurposing. Furthermore, changes in construction materials contribute to enhanced durability and decreased reliance on finite natural resources, promoting sustainabilitySustainability. Moreover, this housing transformationTransformations process supports the reduction principlePrinciples, as it fosters urban infilling, helping to prevent urban sprawl. When managed effectively, housing transformationTransformations can contribute to circular approaches that substantially reduce landLand and vegetationVegetation consumption, decrease waste, and aid in realizing circular and sustainable citiesCities.