Exploring the challenges to housing design quality in China: An empirical study

• There is an urgent need to explore strategies to improve housing performance in China.
• Critical hindrances to housing design quality are examined through a mixed methods research strategy.
• A case study of two housing projects is conducted to identify seven critical challenges and five key benefits.

The housing problem in China has shifted from a quantity to a quality problem, and it is time to take into consideration design quality in addition to housing delivery. This paper aims to explore and understand the challenges to improving housing design quality in China, helping to identify areas for future improvement and necessary corrective measures to be taken. A series of critical factors in housing design quality are identified by using a triangulation of a comprehensive literature review, qualitative interviews and a questionnaire survey administered to experienced practitioners in the Chinese housing industry. It is substantiated by a case study of two real-life housing projects, conducted to manifest the hindrances and the benefits achieved. This study has identified seven critical challenges: inadequate building technologies, lack of design accuracy, insufficient time and uncertain high cost, lack of consideration for end-users, insufficient collaboration, lack of public facilities, and insufficient incentives of quality design. Some key benefits related to housing design quality are also summarised in this study, including, but not limited to, enhanced brand recognition, regulatory incentives, improved customer satisfaction, reduction in operation and maintenance costs, and less construction time.

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