Abstract
In the agricultural villages of the Province of Zhejiang, China, a very positive improvement can be seen. In this study, the detailed process of the housing improvement which has been carried out so far is analyzed, and from this analysis, the authors try to plot the future direction of housing improvement.
As a result of the investigation, the following aspects become clear. Under the housing improvement, the area of the houses is enlarged and great progress can be seen in the condition of the dwellings. But problems persist concerning the layout and use of the available space. For example, in a house, living space and working space are not separated, neither are public space and private space. The space “dÔya” has to serve many functions.
In addition to these points, it becomes clear that the improvement of the toilet, bath room, kitchen, and so on, has been delayed in spite of the enlargement of housing areas. Also it seems that in future useful improvements could be the separation of the dining area from the “dÔya” and that the“dÔya” cease to be a thoroughfare .
