Occupant behaviour in energy efficient dwellings: Evidence of a rebound effect

The energy required for space heating has been significantly reduced in recent decades by making use of insulation and more efficient heating and ventilation systems. Even so, wide variations in energy consumption are still observed between similar dwellings and between actual and predicted levels. It is thought that these variations stem from...

Functional limitations associated with housing environmental problems among community - living older people

This paper describes the functional limitations due to normal aging that are associated with difficulties in older persons housing environments. Literature review from occupational therapy, medicine and human kinetics was used to study the evolution of abilities with aging, the prevalence of functional limitations in old age and the implications...

How small can a dwelling be? A revision of Portugese building regulations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the minimum necessary net internal area of dwellings that should be established by Portuguese building regulations. Design/methodology/approach – The following tasks are carried out: selecting the furniture and equipment necessary for each dwelling; determining the size of furniture and equipment...

Municipal strategies for introducing housing on industrial estates as part of compact-city policies in the Netherlands

Promoting mixed-use development is part of policies aimed at enhancing urban quality. Until recently, however, industry and housing have rarely been found together in the same development as there is a long tradition of keeping these functions separate. As part of a compact-city policy, Dutch local authorities are in the process of introducing...