Exploring Space Ergonomics As Design Approach for in-Situ Rehabilitation of Kebele Houses (in Inner Cities of Addis Ababa)

Exploring Space Ergonomics As Design Approach for in-Situ Rehabilitation of Kebele Houses (in Inner Cities of Addis Ababa)

Rajendra Kopil Kunwar (1)

Research Scholar, PhD Architecture,

Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Professor Sheeba Chander (2) Dean, School of Planning, Architecture & Design Excellence,

Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Sosna Ageze Teshome (3)

Lecturer, Faculty of Architecture & Urban Planning, Arba Minch University,

Arba Minch, Ethiopia.

Abstract:- Spatial efficiency lacked attention compared to the gap between housing supply and demand in Ethiopia. Inner cities of Addis Ababa are highly densifying of people being drown into which resulted in excessive infrastructural housing load causing crumbling housing scenarios. Opportunities and economical demands lead housing units transformed into commodity generating income thereby creating space problems and deterioration in living conditions.

The research method used case-study approach. Live case of selected inner city area were carried out. 50 households were selected and observations of the current condition of the neighborhood were made to examine spatial, economic, and social characteristics of given area. The research combined qualitative and quantitative methods to generate valid data for design inputs. The major findings were that the rooms in the dwellings served several functions along with their functions changed

Housing problems generally in Africa face a major housing crisis due to rapid urbanization and a growing slum population. As a result, 90 percent of Africans live in informal housing, where living conditions are often substandard, unsafe and without basic services like water, electricity, and sanitation. New, targeted approaches to affordable housing are necessary if countries want to take advantage of the demographic shift to make cities inclusive, spur economic growth and expand job opportunities, according to a new report by the World Bank Group.[3]

1. SPACE ERGONOMICS CONCEPTUAL FRAME WORK

   during the course of the day. The common functions performed inside the dwelling were sleeping, dining, and storage where space permitted. Other domestic functions (cooking, washing, bathing, latrine and social interaction) took place outside the dwelling unit. Spaces were relatively smaller to the number of occupants causing it to be very crowded. In addition to poor living conditions a conflict between the shared spaces can been seen

   Human/Environment interaction

   • Preservation of resource

   • Reduced pollution

   • Sustainable system

   • Land scape design

   • Eco diversity

   • Place making

   • Social sustainability

     Sustainability

     Green building

     Building /Environment interaction

   • Reduced built area

   • Vertical expansion

   • Sustainable system

   • Responsive design

   • Passive system

   • Usable roof

   dominantly between HBEs activities and domestic activities. Also observed were boundary conflict between neighbors, dwellings materials found to be non-permanent, poor quality structures made with perishable construction materials (wood and mud) & presence of informal add-ons. The study recommends space ergonomically designed solutions for various user issues in accordance with the measured potentials of growth and sustainability.

   Keywords: Inner cities, HBEs, space ergonomics.

   1. INTRODUCTION

      At an urbanization level of around 40 percent, African cities are relatively poorer than other developing regions when they were at similar levels of urbanization.[1] Because per capita GDP is low, public and private investments in housing, infrastructure, and other capital are lacking.

      The housing problems in urban centers take the form of slum dwelling, homelessness, overcrowding, squatter settlements, and substandard housing units.[2]

      Extended Ergonomics

      Ergonomics

      Human/ Building interaction

      • Comfort

      • Functionality

      • Performance

      • Health

      • Safety

      • Flexibility

      • Multy use 89

        Figure II-1 A framework for scopes of ergonomics driven architectural design

        Ergonomics the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. [5]

        All categories of ergonomics are influential on architectural design: application of physical ergonomics can help produce more human centered spaces; organizational ergonomics helps optimize the performance of buildings.[6]

2. THE CONCEPT OF URBAN RENEWAL

   Urban renewal is described as an intervention to transform urban areas by improving the built environment and infrastructure, thereby improving the quality of life and providing social services. It has also improved economic conditions and employment opportunities, social and economic characteristics, and environmental and ecological conditions.[7]

   Urban renewal approach for rehabilitation program

   Rehabilitation: doesn't involve the displacement of the occupant, it is less costly than a total replacement. Rehabilitation; involves making improvements to existing buildings for the same or more intensive use. In addition, he commented, Rehabilitation can simply reverse neglect and deterioration so that the building can continue to provide acceptable levels of service.[7]

3. HOUSING NEED AND HOUSING DEMAND Housing need and housing demand can often be confused

   yet they have different meanings. Every household has a housing need irrespective of income or type of housing.[8]

   Housing needs – is described as the quantity of housing required to the accommodation of the agreed minimum standard and above for a population given its size and household composition without taking into account the household `s ability to pay for the housing assigned to it.

   Housing demand – as the relationship between the price of housing and the quantity and quality of housing for which people are able and willing to pay.

   Housing demand is mainly affected by the price of housing and the factors surrounding it such as supply and income, addressing these factors has led to not only solving current needs and demands but also the importance of planning for the future. In conclusion for current housing needs and demands to be met larger amounts of housing must be provided at an affordable price and of good quality, by setting and reaching targets will hopefully meet the needs and demands of the present and the future:

4. AFFORDABILITY

   Affordability has been studied and its definition and perception have been refined and is generally agreed that affordable housing does not force households to spend beyond their; capability and willingness to spend. Capability implies income and willingness alludes to choose so affordability implies that people can and want to spend on housing.[9]

   1. Factors affecting affordability

      The ability to pay has two sides, the external and the internal side[10]

      • The external factors- Factors that affect the cost of housing, which include the sums of land acquisition,

        infrastructure, both on and of the site, planning, deigning, interest rates, and subsides.[11]

      • Internal factors that affect affordability have to do mainly with the socio-economic circumstances of the target group [12] and their social character .

        The socio-economic circumstances can be affected by employment opportunities, Kinds of occupation, Income, and expenditure patterns. While social character is affected by the house holds size, family structure, needs, customs, aspirations, and priorities. In terms of significance, the social character of the community will determine its willingness to pay, whereas the economic character determines ability. But two relationships are not neatly defined it is a complicated relationship where each affects the other.[10]

   2. Affordability index in Africa

      Only few countries in Africa have developed an affordability model for housing among the countries Kenya and Nigeria are some of them.

      Nigeria: The findings reveal that there are three major factors affecting housing affordability including household attributes 57%, housing attributes 10% and macroeconomic variables 33%. Each major factor consists of several individual elements with different scores and weights. Household attributes consisting of income scoring 62%, household size 62%, age 62%, occupation 54%, stage in life cycle 46% and migration status scoring 15%. Housing attributes consisting of location 8%, house type 23%, quality of house 8%, cost of land 8% and size of house 8%. Macroeconomic variables consisting of mortgage rates scored 62%, subsidies 54%, inflation rate 38%. This suggest that households attribute (57%) is the most important major factor while income 62%, age 62%, household size 62% and mortgage rates 62% are important individual elements.[13]

      Affordability can therefore be conceptualized to be a function of housing demand and supply, which are in-turn influenced by factors related to the macro-economic environment, property characteristics, mortgage loan characteristics, demographic and household social economic factors and a host of other factors that directly influence housing price, interest rates and household income.[14]

      Social-economic factors
      Property factors

      • Age

      • Gender

      • Marital status

      • Number of family members with income

      • Level of education

      • Household size

      • Number of dependents (outside the nuclear family)

      • Job-status

      • Loss of regular employment income

      • Location of property

      • Size of house

      Social-economic factors
      Property factors

      • Age

      • Gender

      • Marital status

      • Number of family members with income

      • Level of education

      • Household size

      • Number of dependents (outside the nuclear family)

      • Job-status

      • Loss of regular employment income

      • Location of property

      • Size of house

      Table V-1 Factors That Affect Affordability of the Housing Sector in Kenya

      Figure V-1 Affordability model for Nigeria and Ethiopia

   3. Evaluative model in Addis Ababa

   Macro-economic factors

   • Size of land

   • Value of land

   • House design

   • Construction cost

   • Transaction cost

   • Developers profit

   • Inflation

   • Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita

   • Exchange rate

   • Unemployment rate

   • Performance of alternative markets

   • Political climate

   Macro-economic factors

   • Size of land

   • Value of land

   • House design

   • Construction cost

   • Transaction cost

   • Developers profit

   • Inflation

   • Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita

   • Exchange rate

   • Unemployment rate

   • Performance of alternative markets

   • Political climate

   Figure V-2 Affordability model for Kenya and Ethiopia

   Housing

   condition 22%

   Housing

   condition 22%

   Social

   character 27%

   Economic

   condition 51%

   Social

   character 27%

   Economic

   condition 51%

   Figure V-3 Factors affecting housing affordability in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

   The affordability of housing is determined by factors among those factors it has been seen among these factors a persons ability to afford housing is majorly affected by the economic condition, social character Age, and housing condition respectively.

   Affordability plays a key role in any types of space ergonomics because spatial need of the people should be supported by the affordability factors.

5. EVALUATION OF HOUSING CONDITION IN THE INNER CITY OF ADDIS ABABA

   RENTAL

   RENTAL

   Case A Purely residential Case B

   Home-based establishment enterprise

   Case C Commercial

   Informal add

   Rental

   HBE

   Café

   Shops

   Washing/draying area

   Boundary between neighbors

   Rental

   Traditional kitchen

   Figure VI-1 Plot character & neighborhood existing conditions

   1. Space Usage

      The space is very small in relative to the residents causing the area to be very crowded. Rooms serve several functions, changes during the course of the day. The common functions performed inside the dwelling are sleeping, dining, and storage. Where space permits, the rest of the domestic functions (cooking, washing and bathing, latrine and social interaction) take place outside the one room dwelling.

   2. Shared spaces conflicts

      There are Conflict of double functioning of home, proper allocation of time to HBE and domestic activities is required. The risks to the home due to HBES (health, security, crowding), noise and bad smell.

      • Boundaries: The need for extra space courses conflict between neighbors.

        FOR INCOME EGENERATION

        Original layout

        current layout

        Note: 12 Expansion of the housing unit to create space for renting and for storage the house is used to serve as a residential and commercial using the outdoor area as a mince of selling space since it is located at the active street corridor.

        • Family size 6

          Age 65-23

        • 0 employment

        • Housing typology residential & commercial

        • Resided there for 40 yrs.

        • Area 25 m2

        • Rent 5.50 birr

          • Family size 7

            Age 65-26

            logy for

            logy for

          • 1 employment

            Re

            >

            A

            Re

            >

            A

          • Housing typo residential

   3. Poor quality of life

      Multi generation families live in small confined quarters not fit for purpose. There is lack of basic amenities such as bathing, laundry, heating and cooking facilities.

   4. Material

      Sub division of space to create privacy with in the house

      sided there 30 yrs.

      rea 12 m2

      Dwellings were found to be non-permanent and poor- quality structures and are often made with perishable construction materials (wood and mud).

   5. Spatial functional arrangement

      The space is very small in relative to the residents cusing the area to be very crowded.

      Note: 7 Vertical expansions to allow for income generation It serves as rental bad overnight. The roof of the house has been lifted a little 1 meter to create enough space for the additional area so that inhabitants can stay their comfortably.

   6. Informal add ons

      Most of the residents have lived here for over 30 years, small self-built add ons have arisen in the courtyard. These add ons are used as toilets, kitchens, storage units and even bedrooms for new family members or tenants. The architectural quality of the courtyard residential quality of the court yard and residential interior have declined dramatically.

   7. Dense and fragmented courtyards

      Many of the court yards are occupied by many families as can be seen in figVI-1.

      Figure VI-2 Dense and fragmented courtyards

   8. Social gathering areas

   There are very little to non-spaces for social events: wedding and mourning and a space for children playing and space for cloth washing and blow drying; grain and spice drying

   Figure VI-3 out door

6. EXISTING ISSUES THAT INFLUENCE HOUSING CONDITION IN THE INNER CITY OF ADDIS ABABA

   The Inner city has great housing issues. It is also the oldest part of the city which is characterized by dilapidated housing, high densities of buildings, the crowding of large numbers of people into those buildings, lack of space between houses (as a result of informal add ons), substandard housing, and acute environmental and sanitary problems. The inner city is characterized by the existence of informal settlements. This is resulted because of the migration of people into the area which is causing the area to be densely populated and also the lack of affordable housing.

   The issue faced in the inner city is not space deficiency but rather a functional deficiency. In the case area, it is found out that the problem is people are adding more functions to housing. The housing in the inner-city unit does not exist as a unicellular activity but serves as a multi-cellular activity. The space is occupied by people who are not necessarily part of the family. The children do not seem to leave the dwelling once they grow up, they create their own family and stay in the dwelling units this results in the existence of multi generation family and relatives to live in the same compound and other people who want to be accommodated in the compound usually

   reside in the housing in the inner city this creates over crowdedness. The need for extra amenities also causes the overcrowding of the space. Therefore, indoor space deficiency is created because of those issues those points should not be neglected but rather accommodated in the space. The spatial requirement of the dwellers must be given attention. The Kebele houses should be provided with spaces that can accredit the essential activities of residents' spatial, social, and economic sustainability of households in the inner city.

7. SPACE ERGONOMICS AS A TOOL FOR IN-SITU REHABILITATION OF HOUSING

1. The housing issues in the inner city can be resolved by giving attention to the spatial requirement of the dwellers. The Kebele houses should be provided with spaces that can accredit the essential activities of residents' spatial, social, and economic sustainability of households in the inner city. The residents in the inner city of Addis Ababa have come up with multiple ways to appropriate the space and dwelling to accommodate their spatial and economic needs. So as to appropriate the space in the dwelling to accommodate the household income generation and improve their family's livelihoods, so experience should be taken from the society and by making it formal.

2. The concept of space ergonomics must be applied to the housing units. The different types of design flexibility (Adaptability) approaches should be practiced in the design these techniques include, the provision of multi-use spaces, the spaces should be flexible enough to be redesigned which allows for changing the layout of the user units in a building and the functions of the user units in the building. The layout should be easily transformable by change of shape and arrangement of spaces, convertibility by allowing for changes in use within the building, expandability by facilitating additions to the quantity of space in a building which may be achieved through an increase in volume or capacity. The increase in capacity can be achieved by inserting an additional floor in a building, which does not necessarily increase its volume. There should be a connected ability in which a series of adjacent rooms can be connected through sliding wall panels or doors. The use of a Partition wall can help the possibility of splitting up, rearranging, or combining different spatial units in a simple way. The materials, assemblies, and systems selected should require less maintenance, repair, and replacement and should be durable and adaptable.

3. Since most of the space is small it should be multi- functioning there has to be a possibility of using space, furniture construction, or installation components for several functions. Materials and components from any dismantled building should be as reusable or recyclable as possible.

4. The plot size should be enlarged through an expansion through horizontal and/or vertical. The ratio of the house to commercial activity should be determined so that the degree of freedom when making a design is very clear.

5. Activities with common practice shall be overlapped or they should be shared. If the households perform similar activities and if they want to work together, they should be allowed to transform their housing unit as per their desire.

6. The frontages areas of the housing unit with potential such as road access should give more value to commercial activities has to be integrated in order to enhance the living conditions of the dwellers. The study recommends a strong policy change most of the regulations written on the policies are old so they need to be up to date, the policies need to be more flexible.

   –

   Changeable function (free plan)

   Plot 35 m2

   Built area

   Plot 35 m2

   Built area

   Changeable function (free

   Transformable interior (Changeable functions)

   Transformable interior (Changeable functions)

   Partitioned interior (System of movable

   partition walls)

   Convertible interior System of convertible and sliding

   partition walls)

   Living Service Outdoor/plot

   Income generating space

   Divisible interior (System of movable wall

   Small additions will be arisen in the courtyard. These additional spaces can be used as toilets, kitchens, storage units and even bedrooms for new family members or tenants.

   When both floors are at 2 m height, one can have a double sleeping space for the above and below.

   Convertible interior System of convertible and

   sliding partition walls)

   Rebuildable interior (Traditional partition

   wall)

   Divisible interior (System of movable wall

   units)

   Partitionable interior (System of movable partition

   walls)

   Living Service Outdoor/plot

   Income generating space

   Configuration of the supporting structure

   To obtain maximum clear space in the plan layout, steel or pre-stressed reinforced concrete floor systems and components are to be preferred.

   • Clear ceiling surfaces

   • Beams must be hidden in the exterior wall axes or fixed infill wall axes.

   • All structural elements must be located at the exterior of the layout to create unobstructed space within the floor plan.

   • The plan layout should not have room divisions, but rather allow for

   Variable features of partition walls

   unlimited unobstructed clear space that can be freely arranged.

   Partitions that allow flexible planning must have the following characteristics:

   – easily applicable; produced in standardized sizes; easy to remove the remnants of dismantled partitions in adjacent components (such as floors, ceilings, facing walls, and fixed partitions) Any traces;

   possible to coat them with different materials and change the color and texture of the surface according to the space requirements and the personal taste of the user; They must be storable.

   Use the space beneath the roof Could extend to the usable area greatly by inserting an inter layer as bedroom and storage space .so that it could fit more people to live in it.

   Divisible interior (System of movable wall units)

   Modular portable shop

   20/35M2)

   Living Service Outdoor/plot

   Income generating space

   20/35M2)

   Living Service Outdoor/plot

   Income generating space

   Modular shops which are designed in order to serve the income generating potential of the house hold.

   Living Service Outdoor/plot

   Income generating space

   Different people live with To renovate the courtyard by extending its usable area and enhancing its infrastructure.

   Provide the people with sufficient space to live, children with friendly environment to grow, and the old people with service which meet their daily basic needs.

   Variable features of partition walls

   Partitions that allow flexible planning must have the following characteristics: easily applicable; produced in standardized sizes; easy to remove the remnants of dismantled partitions in adjacent components (such as floors, ceilings, facing walls, and fixed partitions) any traces;

   Possible to coat them with different materials and change the color and texture of the surface according to the space requirements and the personal taste of the user; They must be storable.

   Open space interior (Space undivided physically)

   Living Service Outdoor/plot

   Income generating space

   Living Service Outdoor/plot

   Income generating space

   Configuration of the supporting structure

   To obtain maximum clear space in the plan layout, steel or prestressed reinforced concrete floor systems and components are to be preferred.

   • Clear ceiling surfaces

   • Beams must be hidden in the exterior wall axes or fixed infill wall axes.

   • All structural elements must be located at the exterior of the layout to create unobstructed space within the floor plan.

   • The plan layout should not have room divisions, but rather allow for unlimited unobstructed clear space that can be freely arranged.

   Habitable Attics

   • Use the attic for as a functional space which increases the space flexibility

   • Choose a variety of truss systems that allow for the potential extra space and converting an attic is less expensive than building an addition.

     Bed Room

     • At least one big bedroom, so that can be changed to two in future.

     • Bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor meets the needs of people with impaired mobility.

       The Living/ Family Room

       • A door less entry with no threshold creates an open feel and easy access

       • The installation of extra electrical, telephone and cable outlets for maximum flexibility in furniture arrangement

       • Install or pre-wire a ceiling fixture to reduce later renovation costs.

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