Resident Typologies Based on Preferences for Energy-Efficient Building Design: Evidence from Low-Income Urban Settlements in Indonesia
This study analyzes survey data from 223 low-income households in West Jakarta to identify five key preference dimensions for energy-efficient design, which are used to classify residents into three distinct typologies (Low-Engagement, Energy-Conscious, and Passive Comfort Seekers) to inform more responsive and effective housing strategies tailored to specific occupant needs.
Original paper licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This is an AI-generated explanation of the paper below. It is not written or endorsed by the authors. For technical accuracy, refer to the original paper. Read full disclaimer
In the bustling cities of the developing world, where populations swell and land becomes scarce, housing often takes the form of dense, low-income settlements. These neighborhoods are vital to the economy and the social fabric, yet they frequently struggle with poor environmental quality. The buildings are often packed so tightly that air cannot circulate, sunlight is blocked, and interiors become stiflingly hot. To stay cool, residents rely on electric fans or air conditioners, which drive up energy bills and contribute to global carbon emissions. For decades, experts have tried to solve this by designing better buildings, often focusing on advanced technology or strict energy-saving rules. However, a growing realization is taking hold: a building is only as good as the people living in it. If a design ignores what residents actually need, want, or can afford, even the most efficient technology will fail. The key to sustainable housing, therefore, lies not just in the bricks and mortar, but in understanding the diverse preferences of the people who call these homes their own.
A team of researchers from Universitas Trisakti in Indonesia set out to explore this human side of energy efficiency. They focused on Kapuk, a high-density, low-income urban village in West Jakarta, home to over 160 people per hectare. Here, the pressure on housing is immense, and the average home is a modest, single-story structure with a floor area of just 33 square meters. The researchers wanted to move beyond general assumptions about what low-income families need. Instead of asking if people wanted to save money on electricity, they asked what specific features of a home made them feel comfortable. They surveyed 223 households, interviewing residents about their daily lives, their housing conditions, and their opinions on various design ideas, from the color of the exterior walls to the use of solar panels.
The study began by looking for hidden patterns in the residents' answers. Using a method that groups similar ideas together, the researchers discovered that the desire for a better home was not a single, simple wish. Instead, it broke down into five distinct categories. First, there was a clear interest in energy-efficient appliances and lighting. Second, residents showed an awareness that the building itself—its materials, its shade, and its orientation—could protect them from the heat. Third, there was a strong preference for natural ventilation, the ability for fresh air to flow freely through the rooms. Fourth, many residents valued the idea of a home that stayed cool without needing heavy machinery like air conditioners. Finally, there was a desire for bright spaces filled with natural daylight. These five dimensions revealed that residents cared deeply about passive design strategies—solutions that work with the climate rather than fighting against it with electricity.
However, the most revealing part of the study came when the researchers looked at how different groups of people prioritized these five desires. They found that the residents did not all want the same thing. Instead, they fell into three distinct groups, or "typologies," based on their unique mix of preferences. The first group, which the researchers called "Low-Engagement Residents," showed the least interest in most of the advanced design features. For them, the priority was simply having a home that was comfortable and bright, without necessarily worrying about high-tech solutions. The second group, "Energy-Conscious Residents," was different. They wanted everything: efficient appliances, solar panels, natural light, and good ventilation. They were the most eager to adopt a full suite of energy-saving strategies. The third group, "Passive Comfort Seekers," had a very specific focus. They cared deeply about staying cool through natural means, such as cross-ventilation and shading, but they were less interested in expensive technologies like solar panels or high-efficiency air conditioners.
What made these findings particularly surprising was that these three groups were not defined by their money or their jobs. The researchers compared the income, education, occupation, and even the size of the homes for each group and found no significant differences. A family earning a low wage could be just as likely to be an "Energy-Conscious Resident" as a slightly better-off family. This suggests that the way people think about their homes is shaped by their personal experiences, their comfort needs, and their perception of what makes a house livable, rather than just their bank balance. It means that a one-size-fits-all approach to building design will inevitably fail, because a single strategy cannot satisfy the distinct priorities of all these different groups.
The study translates these insights into practical advice for architects and policymakers. For the "Low-Engagement" group, the best approach is to start with simple, cost-effective improvements like better airflow and brighter windows, rather than pushing complex technology. For the "Energy-Conscious" group, the goal is to integrate high-tech solutions with good design, creating homes that are both efficient and comfortable. For the "Passive Comfort Seekers," the focus should be on perfecting the building's shell—using shading, insulation, and layout to keep the heat out naturally. By tailoring the design to the specific preferences of the residents, rather than assuming everyone wants the same thing, developers can create housing that is not only more energy-efficient but also more likely to be accepted and cherished by the people living there. This approach acknowledges that in the crowded, hot streets of cities like Jakarta, the path to a sustainable future runs through the minds and hearts of the residents themselves.
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