REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

College of BS Architecture Department
LOPEZ QUEZON BRANCH

ECONOMIC HOUSING: A PROPOSED ECO-SUSTAINABLE HOUSING

IN BRGY. LAGYO GUMACA, QUEZON

A Thesis

Presented to the Faculty of the Undergraduate School

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Lopez Branch

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Architecture

By

Gio Lloyd A. Capistrano

Joyce P. Manalo

Riezel A. Rongalerios

May 2022
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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College of BS Architecture Department
LOPEZ QUEZON BRANCH

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Introduction

Housing improvement is one of the most important sectors of the

economy, which ensures the prosperity of urban development and
sustainability (Rahman et al. 2018). The variety of design solutions and
innovative technologies incited a lot of challenges in the quality of
accommodation and the satisfaction of residents. Often, designers strive to
maintain the aesthetics of housing appearances and neglect the actual
needs of clients (Lopez 2010). Compared to commercial buildings, the
residential design must correspond to day-to-day concerns of people's lives
and address problems related to their life experiences and ambiance
(Anderson 2016). Besides, due to excessive energy consumption, housing
construction must be sustained (Roufechaei et al. 2014). Thus, for
successful sustainable housing development, an optimal balance between
sustainable housing and customer satisfaction is required (Chan and
Adabre 2019).

The housing design should represent social, aesthetic, and

environmental concepts and include all elements for creating an interior
space that would satisfy the lifestyle of people or community (Dohr and
Portillo 2011). Satisfaction with residency is one of the most important
aspects that affect the quality of life (Walton et al. 2008) and the very
behavior of people in living spaces (Sakip et al. 2012). The satisfaction of
residents is based on personal qualities (cognitive, emotional, or behavioral
characteristics) and social characteristics of the living environment (Mohit
and Nazyddah 2011). Thus, social, economic, and environmental aspects
of housing design should be considered in order to achieve the maximum
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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College of BS Architecture Department
LOPEZ QUEZON BRANCH

effect (Ali 2010; Karji et al. 2019). It can be achieved by respecting the
cultural, psychological, physiological, financial, and historical characteristics
and preferences of residents or the community.

Nowadays, in addressing the issue of upgrading the life quality, a

healthy environment is given more priority by improving socio-economic
and environmental conditions for present and future generations
(Dizdaroglu and Yigitcanlar 2016). Sustainable development is about
meeting human needs and improving their quality of life by minimizing the
negative impact on the environment (Ingrao et al. 2018; Ioppolo et al. 2019).
Since public places in neighborhoods are designed for communication and
recreation, the well-being of their residents can also serve as an indicator
of satisfaction with the urban surrounding and a better quality of life (Van
Kamp et al. 2003). These places include playgrounds for children, parks,
walking trails, monuments, and architectural structures. According to
Saiedlue et al. (2015), the presence of water elements (lakes, fountains)
and the abundance of green spaces are fundamental to increasing
satisfaction through refreshing and purifying the environment and, thus,
providing significant health benefits to residents.

The house provides a ‘necessary foundation’ for every people to live

during the social actions and physical actions (Byrne and Diamond, 2007).
Economic Housing is developed to provide comfort with respect for budget
and environment. It contributes socially, economically, and ecologically to a
balanced colorful, and stronger society, enabling it to adapt in time.

Economic Housing is the new approach to economical and

sustainable urban development. Quality homes, industrially manufactured
with healthy materials, transported to the job site, and locally assembled
with a minimum of resources. This innovative process contributes to faster

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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College of BS Architecture Department
LOPEZ QUEZON BRANCH

project completion and a significant reduction in building and development

costs. Economic housing follows the lifestyle of its inhabitants. It adapts to
any region in the world and can transform with respect to size and
appearance.

The Philippines’ housing handbook, Batas Pambansa Bilang 220

(BP 220) was reviewed, in order to achieve a better understanding of the
pertinent building standards and regulations on housing in the country.
Central to the research project is the concepts of sustainable urban form
that have been a popular subject among several contemporary studies, of
which, Jabareen’s (2006) article on the subject, has been extensively used.

In future home building, the idea of sustainable housing will be

strongly required. Sustainable housing is considered to create a house that
is friendly to people and the earth everywhere, such as the structure, floor
plan, equipment, and building materials used. By being conscious of
building a house where you can live for a long time, you will not only have
the advantage of not damaging the environment, but you will also be able
to build a house that is kind to the residents. This time let us think about
sustainable housing that is kind to both people and the earth. To talk about
sustainable houses, it is required to build using sustainable materials. It
should also be able to generate its own energy and use its own resources.

As researchers and Architecture students, it is our responsibility to

contribute to the needs of the construction and planning industry nowadays.
The primary purpose of the study is to define the factors of the proposed
project which is “Economic Housing: A Proposed Eco Sustainable Housing
Project at Brgy. Lagyo Gumaca, Quezon”.

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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College of BS Architecture Department
LOPEZ QUEZON BRANCH

Statement of the Problem

This study‘s main objective is to create possibilities of having a higher

quality environment. Also, to develop and improve the municipality by
conducting the research, “Economic Housing: A Proposed Eco Sustainable
Housing Project at Brgy. Lagyo Gumaca, Quezon”.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What will be the effects of the said projects on its local town and on its
tourism?

2. What will be the effects of this study on the localities in terms of socio-
economic and cultural significance in Gumaca, Quezon?

3. What will be the level of agreement to the local government unit to answer
the lack of sustainable eco-economic housing projects?

4. What will be the positive and negative impact of the said project on its
municipalities and nearby towns?

5. What is the level of agreement on the impacts/outcomes regarding the

possible implementation of the proposed project?

Theoretical Framework

According to the book of Rahman, Housing improvement is one of

the most important sectors of the economy, which ensures the prosperity of
urban development and sustainability (Rahman et al. 2018). The variety of
design solutions and innovative technologies incited a lot of challenges in
the quality of accommodation and the satisfaction of residents. Often,
designers strive to maintain the aesthetics of housing appearances and
neglect the actual needs of clients (Lopez 2010). Compared to commercial
buildings, the residential design must correspond to day-to-day concerns of
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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College of BS Architecture Department
LOPEZ QUEZON BRANCH

people's lives and address problems related to their life experiences and
ambiance (Anderson 2016). Besides, due to excessive energy
consumption, housing construction must be sustained (Roufechaei et al.
2014). Environmental sustainability of housing developments has drawn
much attention in recent years, as one response to the global goal of
attaining sustainable development. Sustainable housing discourse and
practice are largely focused on the physical application of well-grounded
principles in the design of homes and the methods and materials used in
construction (Randolph et al, 2008).

Affordable and sustainable housing has been defined as: “Housing

that meets the needs and demands of the present generation without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their housing needs
and demands. Affordable and sustainable housing has strong and inter-
related economic, social and environmental components” (Arman et al,
2009b). Hence, this type of housing is complex but there is some coalescing
of requirements at the conceptual level when a triple bottom line approach
is taken. Arman et al. (2009) argued that several pragmatic challenges exist
to reconcile the tensions between affordability and sustainability. However,
at the level of design, construction, and operation of a house, there is at
least some common ground where low energy materials, energy, and water
efficiency can be contributory factors to greater affordability.

Housing affordability is currently at an all-time low with more than

one million low- and middle-income households, in a variety of housing
tenures, now experiencing housing stress in both the purchasing and rental
markets (Beer et al, 2007; Disney, 2007; Yates et al, 2008).

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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College of BS Architecture Department
LOPEZ QUEZON BRANCH

Conceptual Framework

The study concept shows the process of determining the creation of

eco-sustainable economic housing in Brgy. Lagyo Gumaca, Quezon.

The Input-Process-Output Model is the conceptual framework that

will be used in this study. This process is viewed as a series of boxes
(processing elements) connected by inputs and outputs (IPO Model).

Figure I. The Research Paradigm of the Study.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

• Gathered
information and • Conduct a survey
data from • Analyzing
• In-depth
Gumaca, Quezon Data/results
understanding of
• Effects of the through surveys
certain problems
project on the and
based on the
local town questionnaires.
gathered data.
• Positive and • Presentation of
• Recommended
negative impacts the information ideas/solutions
of the and gathered to the stated
data. problems.
implementation of
Eco-Sustainable
economic housing

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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College of BS Architecture Department
LOPEZ QUEZON BRANCH

To direct this research, we used the three-part approach in making a

conceptual framework.

Input - This contains the information needed for the research. this is
where the whole study evolved.

Process - Includes the investigation of the possible causes, effects,

and preventive measures affixed to the cost estimate and the assessment
of all data gathered.

Output - The identified data drawn from the respondent can be used
to further improvement of knowledge.

Assumptions

The researchers assumed that having sustainable eco-economic

housing is a big advantage to the employees and to their future life.

The researchers assume that this project and research will have a
positive impact on its people and can be beneficial to all because of its high
standard in sustaining the economic housing project.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The scope of the study was to understand and disseminate

knowledge and information about “Economic Housing: A Proposed Eco
Sustainable Housing Project at Brgy. Lagyo Gumaca, Quezon”. It was
conducted during the first semester of the School Year 2022-2023. The
researchers used the qualitative method of research in this study which was
made possible through a conducted in-depth interview virtual or face to

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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College of BS Architecture Department
LOPEZ QUEZON BRANCH

face. The study is limited only to those employees and professionals, who
want to avail and invest in the said housing project in Gumaca. The
researchers will conduct a focus group discussion to gather all the collected
data.

Significance of the Research

This study will give a sustainable environment and surrounding to the

client and especially to its municipality. This study will give the local tourism
to promote eco economic housing not only in its nearby town yet maybe in
all the provinces. Also, provide information regarding the advantages and
disadvantages of economic housing to a normal and ordinary house place.
It could also help not only the town of Gumaca but also the nearby towns to
find and obtain eco economic housing.

It is hoped that the results of this study could provide useful

information for all the citizens of the said town and its nearby especially to
those people who start their own families, businessman, teacher, and
another sector that want to buy and invest in their house.

The result of this study will serve as the basis for enhancing and
developing the town of Gumaca, Quezon and to give support and give a
piece of concrete information to LGU of Gumaca on how the researcher
process the project.

The results of this study will benefit the following:

Students. This study may serve as a guide and reference for

aspiring students in the field architecture undertaking similar studies. It will
also give concrete details and knowledge to students regarding “Economic
Housing: A Proposed Eco Sustainable Housing Project at Brgy. Lagyo
Gumaca, Quezon”
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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College of BS Architecture Department
LOPEZ QUEZON BRANCH

PUP Lopez Branch. The result of this study will give them results
that can help the branch strengthen the knowledge of the students about
the research and project.

Future Researchers. The result of this research will be a useful

reference for aspiring researchers. This could help them to know the
importance of the research and can be useful as the related study associate
with the future researchers.

Definition of Terms:

Housing: generally, refers to the social problem of ensuring that

members of society have a home to live in, whether this is a house, or some
other kind of dwelling, lodging, or shelter.

Shelter: which is often used to define housing, has a strong

connection to the ultimate purpose of housing throughout the world. The
mental image of a shelter is of a safe, secure place that provides both
privacy and protection from the elements and the temperature extremes of
the outside world.

Economic: Economics is a social science concerned with the

production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It studies
how individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make choices
about how to allocate resources.

Eco: ECO means "Ecology."

The term ECO (pronounced "ee-co") is widely used as an abbreviation of

the word’s ecology and ecological. Environmentally friendly or sensitive.

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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College of BS Architecture Department
LOPEZ QUEZON BRANCH

Sustainable: Sustainability means meeting our own needs without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In
addition to natural resources, we also need social and economic resources.

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