This study explores how rooftop extension projects can be evaluated more systematically, paying specific attention to their strategic, technical, financial, and societal implications within portfolio-based investment decisions. In a context of mounting housing shortages and spatial constraints in Dutch cities, innovative densification strategies are becoming increasingly important. Rooftop extensions, adding extra layers to existing buildings, are often regarded as promising because they add dwellings without additional land take and align with circular ambitions. In practice, however, housing associations still treat such projects largely as incidental initiatives, assessed with generic tools originally designed for new-build or large-scale renovation. The research combines a literature review on adaptive reuse and investment structures with five case studies. For each case, two interviews were conducted, one at a strategic level and one at an operational level, and the conceptual assessment framework was validated by an expert panel. The findings show that decision making on better use of the existing stock is evolving in some associations. Risk perceptions, such as technical uncertainties, planning constraints, or construction in occupied buildings, are examples of identified barriers. At the same time, the cases illustrate that rooftop extensions can support integrated renovation, enhance neighborhood livability, and increase typological diversity.
To help housing associations assess these projects more systematically and enables to argue investment decisions more robustly, an evaluation framework was developed with three components:
• Knock-out criteria, such as critical project mass;
• Opportunity valuation, for aspects such as circularity and housing differentiation;
• Key considerations relating to risks and policy alignment.
The study concludes that further professionalization is needed to embed rooftop extensions firmly within development and investment strategies. This requires explicit integration into portfolio policies, greater attention to societal value, early coordination with municipalities, and ongoing internal knowledge development. Standardizing design and permitting procedures can facilitate wider applicability and scaling. ... Read more

The Dutch middle rental housing sector plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between social housing and the private rental market. However, this sector is currently facing severe challenges, including a significant housing shortage, affordability constraints, and regulatory uncertainties. Middle-income households, who earn too much to qualify for social housing but struggle to afford private rental or homeownership, increasingly find it difficult to secure suitable housing. The stagnation in this sector is exacerbated by rising construction costs, reduced investor confidence, and government policies that, while aiming to maintain affordability, often discourage development.

This research seeks to answer the main research question: How can the middle rental housing market in the Netherlands be optimized to better serve its intended target group and relieve market stress?

Using a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates quantitative analysis of WoON 2021 data to assess market trends and affordability levels with qualitative insights from interviews with policymakers, real estate developers, housing corporations, and middle-income households. The findings reveal a mismatch between supply and demand, with older and larger households facing the greatest difficulties in securing suitable housing. Additionally, investment in new middle rental housing has declined sharply due to restrictive rent regulations and economic uncertainty.

To address these challenges, the study recommends a diversified approach that includes increasing the supply of larger and more adaptable middle rental homes, improving regulatory clarity to encourage investment, and implementing targeted financial incentives for developers. By adopting a coordinated strategy that balances affordability with investment incentives, the Dutch middle rental sector can become more sustainable, accessible, and responsive to the evolving needs of middle-income households.
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This thesis investigates how political ideologies structure housing policy proposals across five European regions: the Netherlands, Flanders, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Spain. Through a qualitative content analysis of 19 national-level election programmes, the study codes each housing proposal using ten indicators grouped into four tiers (core responsibility mix, regime logics, policy levers, and outcome patterns). These indicators are then mapped onto welfare-regime logics — social-democratic, corporatist, liberal, and Mediterranean — and visualised in a welfare triangle that locates parties by how they assign housing responsibility to the state, market, and family. The analysis compares results both across ideological party families (social democratic, Christian democratic, liberal, populist) and within them, to assess convergence, divergence, and the influence of national context.
The findings show that party ideology remains a meaningful organising force in housing: social-democratic parties are highly coherent and consistently state-led; Christian-democratic parties cluster around a corporatist, partnership-based logic; liberal parties share a deregulatory focus but diverge sharply in their wider toolkits; and populist parties are thematically consistent in nativist allocation and family protection but instrumentally eclectic. National context shapes these patterns without fully determining them, with a visible familial pull in Spanish cases. The study contributes a replicable framework for reading housing proposals as ideological repertoires rather than technical measures, and shows that housing policy is used not only to address affordability and supply, but to define who is protected, on what terms, and by whom.
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This thesis explores the housing pathways of Dutch digital nomads across three phases: pre-nomadic, nomadic, and post-nomadic. While digital nomadism has gained significant visibility worldwide, relatively little is known about how Dutch nomads organize their housing before departure, abroad, and upon return. To address this gap, the study adopts an exploratory mixed methods design that combines a literature analysis with 14 in-depth interviews and a survey of 160 respondents. The findings suggest that housing choices in the Netherlands, such as renting, owning, or living with parents, may shape what becomes possible abroad, although this relationship is not statistically confirmed. During the nomadic phase, respondents describe using layered strategies: online platforms often provide initial access, while personal networks appear to support stability and affordability. Upon return, housing pathways begin to diverge. Some, typically with more stable incomes, view flexibility as a continued preference that allows them to rent or buy independently. Others experience flexibility more as a necessity, constrained by limited mortgage access or strict rental conditions. Rather than offering definitive conclusions, the study aims to provide an initial understanding of how Dutch digital nomads navigate housing across different phases of mobility before departure, abroad, and upon return. The results highlight how experiences abroad remain tied to conditions in the Dutch housing system and underline the need of more flexible rental arrangements to support mobility and reintegration. ... Read more

Since the financial crisis of 2008, National Statistical Institutes (NSIs) have worked to develop commercial real estate (CRE) indicators for official statistics. These indicators are considered essential in financial stability monitoring and may help contain the consequences of future crises or even prevent future crises. However, progress at NSIs to develop these indicators has been slow due to challenges like low observation numbers and high heterogeneity. This dissertation addresses these challenges by exploring data issues and suggesting methodological improvements.

The first three studies focus on data challenges regarding share deals and portfolio sales. Both are real estate trading constructions that are specific to CRE. The results show that share deals and portfolio sales significantly differ from the rest of the market. Therefore, under specific circumstances, CRE indicators could benefit from including these trading types. The final two studies focus on methodological challenges regarding index construction methods and the role of sustainability in real estate pricing. The results show that, by combining established techniques, it is possible to construct price indices that meet official statistics’ standards. Furthermore, the results uncover a complex relationship between sustainability and prices: while energy efficiency generally involves price premiums, others aspects like health and environment display a discount for low sustainable properties.

Overall, this dissertation contributes to the legislative framework that is currently being developed for EU countries to publish official statistics for commercial real estate and adds to the academic discussion by presenting innovative techniques for data analyses and index construction. ... Read more

Human Creative Capital has become a key driver of urban competitiveness in the knowledge economy. However, metropolitan areas worldwide are experiencing diminishing appeal to young talents, with both high housing prices and poor housing quality being key contributing factors. This study investigates the decision-making mechanisms underlying young talents' intercity migration and housing choices in China's first-tier cities. While previous research has largely relied on neoclassical economic theories assuming rational decision-making, this study employs behavioral economics (Prospect Theory), psychological framework (Theory of Planned Behavior), and sociological perspective (Bourdieu's Practice Theory) to examine how human agency shapes migration and housing decisions under uncertainty. Through mixed methods combining surveys and interviews, the research explores four questions following an "Aspire—Adapt—Anchor" narrative, investigating why young talents are drawn to these cities, how they navigate the housing market, and what influences their housing purchase and long-term settlement decisions. The findings extend conventional economic models in three significant ways. First, beyond traditional economic factors, the aspiration for self-actualization emerges as a key driver attracting young talents to first-tier cities, mediated through distinct psychological mechanisms. Second, their housing pathways reflect the dynamic interaction between structural constraints and individual agency, with different combinations of habitus and capital leading to diverse housing strategies. Third, while these young talents are initially drawn to first-tier cities, they show heightened sensitivity to potential losses in career prospects and housing costs, with their settlement intentions significantly anchored by institutional endowments such as public sector employment and housing tenure. Current housing situations and future migration prospects mutually shape their decision-making in metropolitan areas. By illuminating these psychological mechanisms in young talents' major life decisions, this research suggests that policy interventions targeting psychological factors may be more cost-effective than traditional infrastructure-based approaches in talent retention. ... Read more

In many Dutch neighbourhoods with a large social housing stock, a concerning development of nuisance and unsafety is emerging alongside an increasing concentration of vulnerable residents. These neighbourhoods often show little resilience, resulting in reduced overall liveability. Research indicates the important role of the built environment in shaping neighbourhood resilience. However, studies in the past decade have mostly overlooked the connection between social environments, such as neighbourhoods and the specific elements that enhance resilience. This knowledge gap makes it difficult to understand how the built environment can contribute to neighbourhood resilience. Therefore, this study aimed to explore how the built environment can enhance neighbourhood resilience to help prevent a decline in liveability when neighbourhoods face an influx of vulnerable residents by answering the following research question: ‘’How can the built environment foster and enhance resilience within Dutch Neighbourhoods characterised by a large social housing stock and growing concentrations of vulnerable residents, thereby addressing the unfavourable developments of nuisance and unsafety in these areas?’’ To answer this research question, quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used. The approach involved selecting two cases using the resilience maps available on ‘Aedes’ and the ‘leefbaarometer’. Within these two neighbourhoods, in-depth interviews were conducted with municipalities, housing associations and other institutes like welfare organisations, to gather insights into the usage and quality of the built environment. Both neighbourhoods highlight the necessity of guiding youth and organising various social activities, where suitable amenities play a crucial role. Importantly, beyond this need for appropriate amenities, it is often the individuals and professionals involved who make the difference. Unfortunately, both neighbourhoods have also exhibited negative dynamics. Unlike how resilient neighbourhoods are often described as well-maintained, the two investigated neighbourhoods do not fit this description. Poor maintenance undermines neighbourhood resilience in both cases. In one neighbourhood, it primarily fosters feelings of unsafety for some residents, while in the other, a combination of housing type and poor maintenance is associated with undesirable and criminal activities. However, valuable lessons can be learned from these negative aspects. Based on both positive and negative experiences in the neighbourhoods and their identified needs, eight recommendations have been proposed. These recommendations pertain to essential amenities, necessary professionals and other crucial aspects to consider. ... Read more

The Dutch housing market is characterised by a housing shortage, mainly in the affordable segment. For this reason, the government has proposed and/or implemented several policy changes to alleviate this stress on the market. However, the Dutch economy is also in a downturn. This research explores how Dutch institutional investors in the rental housing market deal with changing policies in economically challenging times. The scope encompasses inflation and interest rate increases, as well as the Affordable Rent Act (WBH) and transfer tax (RETT). Previous research shows that rent control can have both positive and negative effects, and that increasing RETT affects property value and transaction volume. For this reason, it is worth investigating what the combination of these policy changes and an economic downturn does to the investment behaviour of institutional investors, to get an understanding of the effectiveness of the proposed policy changes. Through literature review and interviews with stakeholders, we find that there seems to be a 'perfect storm' hanging over the residential rental market that negatively affects the investment behaviour of institutional investors in the Netherlands. This would mean that implementing the proposed policy changes in the current context would be counterproductive, as it is, partially, up to institutional investors to fill the demand for affordable housing. ... Read more

The Netherlands is facing a housing crisis, marked by shortages and escalated prices. The Affordable Rent Bill aims to further regulate the private rental segment and improve the position of middle-income groups depend- ent on this segment. However, increased rent regula- tions and the recently introduced taxation measure Tax Plan 2023 decrease profitability for private landlords, sparking concerns about potential divestment from this segment, reducing availability and possibly worsening the position of private tenants and middle income groups. This study explores the effect of the Affordable Rent Bill and Tax Plan 2023 on the investment beha- viour of private landlords and the position of private ten- ants. Utilising inductive logic and a mixed-methods se- quential explanatory design, data from Woononderzoek 2021, a survey conducted among private landlords, and the consultation on the Affordable Rent Bill are ana- lysed. Its findings suggest that the accumulation of taxa- tion and rent regulation measures prompt private land- lords to divest a great number of dwellings, likely result- ing in a decrease in the availability of mid-market rental housing and a negative effect on the position of middle incomes and others dependent on this segment. The study underscores the need for a careful reevaluation of the regulatory framework to achieve the intended posit- ive effect on affordability and availability in the mid-mar- ket rental segment. ... Read more

The Netherlands is currently facing a housing crisis characterised by both quantitative and qualitative mismatches in the market. The issues range from a housing shortage to the unequal distribution of suitable dwellings. One of the reasons for this housing crisis is the prolonged residence of young elderly in unsuitable dwellings, as policy reforms in 2015 encouraged them to age in place, unintentionally stagnating housing flow and thus contributing to the housing crisis.

This research focuses on understanding how a move for young elderly can be better facilitated to contribute to decreasing the housing crisis. The research explores the desired dwelling characteristics of this demographic and the factors influencing their decision to move. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative interview insights. The quantitative data makes use of an existing dataset from Woononderzoek Nederland 2021. The interview data is collected by interviewing young elderly.

The findings reveal that the young elderly, primarily residing in owner-occupied dwellings, have diverse characteristics and preferences. While financial stability and higher education position them in the owner-occupied market, their desired dwelling characteristics vary based on age, income, and household composition. A preference for smaller dwellings, particularly apartments, is identified, indicating the potential for increased housing flow if suitable options are available. Factors influencing the decision to move categorised into willingness, ability, and awareness, are explored comprehensively. Health considerations, dwelling type and size, living environment, and social connections emerge as pivotal elements in this decision-making process. The research delves into why and how these factors influence the decision to move, providing valuable insights into the nuanced aspects of young elderly’s decision-making. The research translates these insights into actionable strategies, proposing facilitation methods, including creating push and pull factors, increasing the supply of suitable housing, and raising awareness of available options. The involvement of disinterested organisations, such as Vereniging Eigen Huis, is identified as a potential facilitator, representing the interests of the young elderly in collaboration with policymakers and developers.

In conclusion, this thesis offers a comprehensive understanding of the housing needs and desires of the young elderly in the Netherlands and provides practical facilitation strategies. The findings contribute to a more nuanced and inclusive approach to housing policy, aiming to alleviate the housing crisis through housing flow. Continuous research and adaptive policy-making are emphasised for a sustainable and inclusive housing future. Recommended for further research is to generalise the results using a survey. This research only conducted nine interviews, making generalisability hard. Approaching experts in that field to get their professional views on the subject is also advisable.

Keywords| Young elderly, housing flow, willingness to move, moving behaviour, facilitating a move ... Read more

Ensuring good living accomodation is a constitutional duty of the government, but there is now a shortage of 300,000 homes. Demand for housing has grown sharply in recent years. In the last two years, the housing market issue has been high on the political agenda again. In it, the issue of starters regarding home ownership occupies a prominent place.
The importance of first-time buyers and the benefits of home ownership has therefore not remained underexposed. The inflow of ‘new’ households into the owner-occupied housing market not only stimulates movement but also provides the necessary liquidity. Partly due to quantitatives shortage, the position of first-time buyers is said to have continued to deteriorate. In the formulated housing policy, the quantitative housing demand is therefore emphatically central. Being able to realise the stated policy objectives - suitable and affordable housing for starters - depends on the demand exercised. Such policy requires accurate knowledge about the position occupied by first-time buyers in the (owner-occupied) housing market.

This research focuses on the (changing) position of first-time buyers in the Dutch housing market. The research question answered in this respect is: What is the position of first-time buyers in the Dutch housing market and how has this position developed from 2009 to 2021?

To arrive at this position, an insight needs to be gained into how first-time buyers operate on the housing market. For this, the ‘housing market’ needs to be explored first. Therefore, this research firstly discussed the background developments prior to the data analyses.
The data research is divided into three parts. Firstly, the concept of ‘first-time buyer’ is explored in more detail whereby various profiles are identified. Next, the various distinct households are researched with respect to the demand for owner-occupied housing. Finally, a model-based analysis of housing market accessibility and success rates for these households is provided. The research results conclude to five main findings. Firstly, whereas the absolute market entrance declines lightly, the relative influx decreases sharply. The total demand for housing from both aspiring first-time buyers as well as homeowners has grown sharply. Secondly, the most current houses are not current, meaning the demanded housing is scarcely available in the most demanded regions. Thirdly, the results show that it is increasingly the high-potential households that find their way into the market. Fourth, the position of first-time buyers has been increasingly determined by the total competition, as the affordability seems not to be the issue. This is mainly rooted in low interest rates. Lastly, the general succes rate among first- time buyers decreased while the diversity among these households has increased. ... Read more

The Corona crisis highly affected socio-economic circumstances, and this was expected to have changed housing preferences. Understanding what needs to be built in quality in addition to quantity is key to a sustainable housing market. Hence, this thesis researched whether and how housing preferences of (aspiring) owner occupiers in the Dutch housing market have changed due to the Corona crisis. The change in housing preferences was researched through a survey inquiring expressed stated preferences for dwelling attributes. Quantitative and qualitative data of 1458 useful respondents combined showed that due to Corona, for 17.8% their housing preferences changed for one or more housing attributes, and thus their preferred dwelling had changed. Per attribute, an average of 3.4% of the respondents changed their preference. Most changes relate to working from home, which severed the link between the home and the workplace, enabling as well as causing people to move further away, and which necessitates space in and outside the dwelling. Accordingly, the crisis has had the biggest effect on the preferred number of rooms in a dwelling. The number of rooms is imperative, not the size. The apartment decreased in popularity, and the preference for dwelling types with a garden increased. The functionality which respondents seek of their outdoor space are enabling social possibilities, providing entertainment and supporting mental health. The living environment for which people are willing to move further away should provide greenery, nature nearby, space, tranquility and privacy. It appears that due to the crisis the willingness to pay has increased as housing has increased in importance. The Corona crisis has had more effect on the housing preferences of multi person households with children than on other households. The crisis has had an excessive effect on households living in highly urban places. Four out of five respondents expect their changed preferences to be permanent, in particular regarding the number of rooms, the dwelling size and the preferred outdoor space. The preferred price range is expected to change again as the micro and macro level financial circumstances change. It needs to be kept in mind that this regards expectancy of respondents and thus regard uncertainties. The results need to be interpreted with caution as the data suggests a discrepancy in the level of ideality or reality which respondents have conjugated in their expressed preferences. Lastly, the effect of Corona on housing preferences might be bigger than currently observed, since identifying Corona as the cause for changing preferences seemed to be difficult when the preferences concerned diffuse attributes. Additionally, the current extremely high macro level constraints constrain respondents to the point where their new preferences might not be able to manifest. ... Read more

The Netherlands is facing pressure on the housing market and the prices are increasing drastically. The accessibility to the housing market decreases and moving becomes harder. With the flexibilization of the labour market, more households face income uncertainty, which can affect their possibilities on the housing market. Flexworkers, labourers with a temporary contract and zzpers together are labelled ‘’flexhouseholds’’. The accessibility of flexhouseholds to housing, are dependant of three markets which are connected to one another. These markets are: the housing market, the labour market and the financial market. To understand how the flexhouseholds are affected in their accessibility to the housing market, this thesis aims to answer the question ‘’What are the effects of the flexibilization of the labour market on the accessibility of flexhouseholds on the housing market?’’. The research methods which will be used in order to answer the main question, are divided into two categories. First, a qualitative study will be conducted, this will be done through the use of literature study, source study and the use of interviews. After this is done the quantitative study will be conducted with the DNB households survey. The statistical study will be focused on researching the differences between the permanent households and the flexhouseholds on the housing market. The goal of this research is to give valuable insights on the position of flexhouseholds on the housing, labour and financial market and in understanding how these markets influence one another. The outcomes of this research show that zzp households have the highest accessibility to the housing market of the three flexhousehold groups. Because of their labour agreement additional restrictions on obtaining a mortgage are imposed, such as getting a research forecast, and a lower percentage of the mortgage if the NHG is not used. However, their older age and high incomes makes the effects of their labour agreements minimal, making them equal or sometimes even in a better position than permanent households. For the temporary households, the theory points out that they have the least restrictions in obtaining a owner occupied or rental dwelling. However, in practice they are second in obtaining in a dwelling. This has to do with the young age and therefore lower savings than the zzp households and general lower incomes. The flexworker households have the lowest accessibility because of the restricting factos based on their labour agreements, their financial situation and also their future work perspectives. Financial institutions need to make use of more tailor made mortgages lending, in which the circumstances and characteristics of the flexhouseholds are taken into account. ... Read more

Housing is a topic that concerns everyone, but the attention for housing has grown in the last years. There is an enormous urge for sufficient and affordable housing in a world where we cannot ignore globalisation. The market is looking for a way to answer this demand for affordable housing. Industrial housing is one of the answers.

Industrial housing can provide an affordable, fast, and quality solution against the tremendous pressure on the housing market. It is an industrialised process to create efficient, flexible, and affordable housing on a large scale and at the same time offer a sustainable circular solution. Multiple constructors developed a product, but despite these benefits and the products that are already available, most of the new houses are still constructed in a traditional way. The reason for this is a lack of knowledge about the industrial housing product, hesitation of the market and lack of cooperation between actors. This research analyses industrial housing and the opportunities and barriers to scale up the production of industrial housing. The goal of this research is to identify the improvements in the process that are needed to scale up the production. To identify the required improvements needed, an understanding of industrial housing, the production process, and the actors involved must be gained. Therefore, in this research, a literature study has been carried out that describes the development of housing in relation to industrial housing, defines the scope of this research, and gives insight into the process with the involved actors. The literature study is complemented with an empirical study, in which interviews have been conducted to get findings from practice. The empirical research focuses on the industrial product, process, and project. This project was explored as a case study on the use of a building flow. The identified barriers and opportunities of the theoretical and empirical study were compared to define recommendations in the synthesis. An expert panel of experts in industrial housing was held to validate and discuss the recommendations. The main recommended adaptions include innovations and digitalisation of the product, national guidance and regulations from the public parties using a long-term vision, the clients in industrial projects must start thinking in terms of the product, the function of a building flow and the transparent exchange of knowledge that is needed to create cultural and organisational change. ... Read more

With a shortage of approximately 315,000 homes, 4% of the existing stock, the Netherlands continues to face a significant and growing shortage of housing. This shortage is a result of various factors that either directly or indirectly have effect on the housing market. Of which some of the key factors are demographic developments such as population growth and changing household compositions; economic developments such as rising house prices, construction costs and income developments (affordability); political developments in regard to rising sustainability goals and changing regulations. These factors have a direct effect on all segments of the housing market, causing a shortage within all and predominantly for affordable of mid-priced rental homes with an estimated demand for 60,000 – 200,000 such homes over the next ten years. This demand or pressure on the mid-segment rental sector is a direct result of the inaccessibility to owner-occupied and social housing sector. As the house prices increase and the waitlist for social homes get longer the mid-segment housing market faces high demand and in turn pressurising both market parties and municipalities. Although there are developments within this segment and both parties are striving to ease the pressure on the market the supply of such homes is slow. Hence this research aims to increase the supply of mid-segment rental homes and contribute towards reducing the housing shortage in the Netherlands by hypothesising that improving the existing development process and policies within the mid-segment rental housing market would in turn improve the supply. Which brings us to the goal of the research to recommend measures/changes, that municipalities and market parties, could possibly make to improve the supply off mid-segment rental homes in the Netherlands. Given the regional characteristics of the housing market, this research adopts a case study method to analyse the development process and policies within different market types. Implying that the cases are market types and the phenomenon being explored, the development process of mid-segment homes. Learning from professionals in practice with the assistance of semi-structured interviews to first understand the existing process and policies, the problems encountered by them in the past and then collating recommendations from these actors to as how the process could be improved. Synthesising the information collected from the field research with theoretical findings to arrive at conclusions and in turn trying to answer the main research question: How can the development process of mid-segment rental housing, in the Netherlands, be improved to meet the rising demand in this segment of the housing market? On completing the research, through the interviews conducted it was found that the various actors along the process face challenges predominantly in the planning phase and challenges that arise from each other hence creating a rather uncertain environment to act in. Thus, reluctance in taking initiative and the shortage of mid-segment homes, although through this research an attempt was made to answer the main question by concluding that in order to improve the delivery of mid-segment homes it would essential to establish a well determined process, seek alternative land development approaches, allowing flexibility during negotiations and regulations, improving actor relationships, and developing policies that would not only regulate this segment but also stimulate market actors to develop mid-segment homes. Following these conclusions and aligning to the goal recommendations were made to the actors involved at an organisational and project level. Of the made recommendations the ones that stand out would be of municipalities supporting one another, involved actors form consortiums to share development risks, development of policies at a national level and finally establishing a trustful, transparent, certain, and supportive environment for each other. ... Read more

A significant growth in the development of tall buildings has taken place within the past two decades, during which approximately 75% of the total existing tall buildings has been constructed. This construction boom has happened in alignment with the phenomenon of the increasing urbanization of cities worldwide. A tall building offers the capability to accommodate large volumes of people and satisfy both their residential and business needs in cities with limited margins of horizontal expansion. Consequently, tall buildings can act as a solution to the phenomenon of increasing urbanization. This thesis enriches the pool of existing knowledge with additional quantitative data, from a global viewpoint. Main objective is to understand what determines the development of tall buildings and especially their height. A quantitative research methodology is employed, where a database of 4826 tall buildings is created. This includes tall buildings taller than 150 meters, constructed after 1960 and still standing, worldwide. Factors that determine the height are investigated with the use of Multiple Linear Regression, having four perspectives as guide. These are: economic-related, building-related, location-related and height competition. The effects of space and time are also taken into account with appropriately constructed variables and the regression models created turned to have moderate explanatory power. Findings suggest that the decision to develop a tall building is based on the location itself, complemented by the current economic conditions and depending on the function the building is designed to serve. ... Read more

As Dutch cities are increasingly looking to transform inner city industrial waterfronts into mixed-use neighbourhoods, the need for good participation processes with existing businesses increases. Although municipalities are aware of this, current participation processes often do not lead to the desired results. Therefore, a structured process approach is recommended to improve the participation process with existing businesses in industrial urban waterfront regenerations. ... Read more

The building industry is characterized by the creation of organizational silos. These silos are causing frictions and inefficiencies on an operational, financial and managerial level. The following research is approaching these silos within the case of X-Decks, a temporary and circular parking project, and the means of blockchain technology.
The thesis is a contribution to the current theoretical and practical research gap on blockchain technology in the built environment and its potential in in an early adoption phase. By targeting traditional structures in the building and parking industry, it is necessary to innovate current means to develop, construct, manage, operate, maintain and reuse parking buildings. An in-depth evaluation of blockchain technology with potential stakeholders of the X-Decks case is used to derive an asset management framework and blockchain prototype that aim to change traditional hierarchical processes into more coequal and transparent ones.
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Zoetermeer is facing two challenges currently. The first is a housing program which is defined only at a superficial level. Secondly, the municipality has expressed the ambition to also take into account the migration of households, but has no data on which dwellings facilitate migrations the best. This research thus set out to first define the migrations chains which are found in Zoetermeer and then subsequently use this information in designing a suiting housing program.

The outcome of the Markov chain theory, which was used to determine residential migration chain length, showed that a number of dwellings facilitated migration the most. These were the more expensive dwellings in general and middle segment dwellings for households residing for social rental apartments specifically. Second, to construct the housing program, detailing on the living environments and dwelling models was defined and combined with ambition of the city.

Around this information an LP decision-making model was built which could use these constraints and find the optimal solution, if one existed. Ten different housing programs were designed, each with a different aim, and the results were assessed. Out of the ten programs, one seemed the most appropriate overall, as it achieved reasonable values in a number of important variables, including number of migrations, spread and value of newly added dwellings and area requirement. A surprising find was however that one of the programs, which in advance was seen as an extreme, proved to fit the ambitions of Zoetermeer in terms of increasing the city’s monetary value and attracting a new type of resident with new dwelling types.

Lastly, a program was designed with the aim of combining all benefits of the other programs into one. This program showed the results of the most overall appropriate program as well as adding a lot of value and the new types of dwellings. To conclude, this research found that the link between the two challenges could be made relatively easily and that the results of the model were very well received after even the first iteration. It should however be mentioned that the input of the model turned out to be very influential and that the municipality had difficulty in defining this input throughout this research as a shift in focus had recently occurred, which resulted in a change of thinking from quantitatively to qualitatively defining goals.

Finally, the two models designed proven to work for Zoetermeer, but were also designed to be used by any other party desiring to either determine migrations patterns, design a housing program or doing a combination of the two. ... Read more

Every day, terabytes of information is generated, filling storage devices around the world. However,the human brain have limited capacities to read and understand raw data from a computer screen.That is why data specialists need to ingeniously create better ways to display, process and analyzemassive amounts of data.Our research project is not about avoiding subsidence, not even about cracks on buildings; it ispurely data analysis and interpretation. This study will help professionals understand and fightagainst building subsidence. Our task was to create, manipulate and make sense of charts like theone below (a real line graph from InSAR data), then translate them into useful information forstakeholders in the local, national and global community.The aim of the project was to understand if ground sensor technologies are comparable to othersources of information. In our analysis different strategies to analyze building subsidence wereimplemented, e.g. homogeneous subsidence, heterogeneous subsidence and for water levels,interpolation and cross correlation methods. In addition, other techniques like sensor fusing wereimplemented to compare data from different sources.As a result from all these strategies, we can say that the water level sensors placed in our researchbuilding, have a high similarity with citizens and municipality data. In contrast, InSAR data is notcomparable with the subsidence sensors placed in the building because they have differentreferences and the period of study was too short to get accurate results from satellite data. Finally,an idea for future implementation strategies was proposed. On this idea, measurements of levelscan be carried out taking as a reference the NAP level and comparing the subsidence between ahealthy-foundations building and another one with wooden-piles foundation. ... Read more