Development of Sustainable and Cost-effective Housing Designs for low-income communities in Sri Lanka; An Analysis of Materials and Construction Costs

Abstract

Access to adequate housing is a fundamental human need and essential for individual and community well-being, much like food and water. Global housing developments, however, have made serious problems with the economy, society, and environment worse. Since sustainable housing can address these issues, it has become a major concern for governments, academic institutions, and business leaders. To succeed, sustainable housing must be technically feasible, socially acceptable, environmentally responsible, and economically viable. This study focuses on developing sustainable and cost-effective housing designs that focus on the specific needs of low-income communities in Sri Lanka. The approach begins with a comprehensive review of previous literature to identify key principles of sustainable construction. Based on these findings, the study proposes a housing design that integrates environmentally friendly materials for the foundation, flooring, walls, and roof. Multiple design scenarios will be evaluated based on the existing studies, and the associated costs calculated to determine the most viable and cost-effective option. The results of the study introduced sustainable and cost-effective building designs intergerning cost effective while environment-friendly materials for the foundation, external and internal walls, floor and roof to utilized. The estimated total cost of the most sustainable and cost-effective housing design across all the scenarios found that its around Rs 417,610. The outcomes of this research will offer valuable insights and guide recommendations for launching low-income housing projects. These solutions aim to address the housing crisis by promoting affordable and sustainable living environments within vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka.