Experts’ assessment of the development of wood framed houses in China

The use of wood in building construction in China dates back millennia. In recent decades with rapid industrialization and shortage of timber, the use of wood as a building material has substantially decreased. Since 2000, though, a certain revival of wooden houses has occurred, especially in the most developed cities. Nevertheless, both the number of wooden houses and the awareness of the potential of using wood in housing remain low. The present study aimed at better understanding the perceptions of Chinese experts on wooden house. The study analyzed the needs and the potential for the construction of wooden houses in China, training and education capacity and requirements, and the implications for sustainable forest management. The semi-structured questionnaire method was chosen to explore the experts’ views on specific issues and more general aspects. The experts perceived a low level of public awareness on the use or purchasing of wooden houses. This and other results and their implications are discussed in consideration of the ambitious national policies, including the pursuit of a low-carbon economy. Knowledge and information dissemination, education dealing with forest resources, wooden construction know-how, and the properties and benefits of wooden housing need to be promoted at different levels to improve the acceptance of wood framed houses in China.

► We analyzed the views of 41 experts on the wood frame housing development in China.
► Use of wood as building material expected to increase substantially.
► Increments of both imported and domestic wood production needed.
► Stability in earthquakes, energy saves and carbon storage among numerous benefits.
► Lack of public awareness and of supportive governmental policy as key constraints.