Post occupancy evaluation : a comparison between deign and occupation case studies : public housing alterations in Tripoli

• Main Author: Betru, Mohammed A. Salem
• Published: Heriot-Watt University 2005
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.735422

This research is an attempt to investigate the phenomenon of public housing alterations and changes that have been carried out by the owners of these houses. In spite of many studies having been undertaken investigating public housing in Libya, no study has dealt specifically with this phenomenon. The key theme raised in this research is: What types of alterations have Libyan public housing owners carried out in their dwellings and what are the reasons for these alterations? To evaluate this theme, a POE approach has been adopted which consist of three main stages. The first stage includes three chapters, highlighting topics whose aim is to understand the context of Libya from its historical, economical and social circumstances, followed by an exploration of the dwelling alteration phenomenon, highlighting issues that were addressed in the literature it. Then the researcher moves towards the post occupancy evaluation approach, its origin, definitions and applications. The second stage, which deals with the research design and methodology, includes three chapters, and it is the planning stage of the research. The model of investigation was introduced, data collection techniques were discussed, as well as the types of analysis used in the research. Three types of analysis were used: firstly, Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyse data which was collected in the field survey. Two types of analysis were executed with SPSS: descriptive analysis and principal component analysis (factor analysis). The aim of this analysis is to simplify data and to elicit predictors which indicate the main satisfaction factors and the relationship between these factors and alterations carried out by residents. Secondly, Space Syntax Theory, a comparison was run between the distribution of the original planned spaces and the modified spaces for the same design. The third technique is piling which has been used for the open -ended questions addressed in the questionnaire. Data analysis which is introduced in Chapter Six suggests a field of discussion that is indicated, but not completely explained, by the alterations people do to their homes. In other words, the post occupancy evaluation has provided a range of observation that has led to a more theoretical discourse which forms stage three in this research, and to trying to identify what `the home' signifies to its users. In addition, a theoretical framework introduced in Chapter Eight and Nine includes two main theories, human needs theory which was introduced by Maslow in 1954 and Structuralism; the first used to understand users needs and motivations, the latter used as a tool to understand the deep and surface structures of the home. The findings of the research emerged from both its theoretical and empirical aspects. These findings are divided into three dimensions: the first one is oriented towards the importance of adopting POE as an approach suitable at governmental and academic levels. The second dimension was oriented to the dwelling design criteria which will improve the public housing in Libya. The third dimension is oriented towards the main contribution of this research which is needed to study dwelling alterations. Four factors considered as an area of investigation for such phenomenon.