Comparative study on management of multifamily housing by user participation (1)

Abstract

Whether dwellers can be proud of living in multifamily housing with feeling of attachment is a key to the future of urban residential communities. To realize such communities, there are some vital yet simple requisites. • management of housing estates must mean both control by management and by user's attachment, • community oriented behaviors should complement such management. • user participation should be promoted as a liaison between management and community. In this study we tried to make comparative analysis of typical cases to clarify the above points. Some cases regarding making of one room extension in Japan were studied concerning “Jichikai” (the tenant association) activities at rental housing supplied by Japan Housing Corporation and municipal housing respectively. Also some typical cases with innovative efforts in Europe and USA were covered. Through these case studies it was clarified that the concept of management by user participation is defined as integration of “hard” and “soft” aspects of public housing management, and has to flow from a single entity which is supported and is eventually responsible to the community. This study shows that “Jichikai” which is organized in every residential area in Japan seems to be a potential management by user participation. The management co-operative in U.K. is suggestive of the similar active management. There the tenants have an advantage of having control over their dwellings, estates and environments. Consequently they are generally satisfied with the benefits of management and maintenance. The role of the community technical aid movement in the U.K. is to facilitate community self-help building or environmental projects. Association of Community Technical Aid Centre (ACTAC) is a local community resource centre. It is worth notice that the system supports and encourages users to participate in design process.