Abstract

For developing nations the development of sustainable communities has to go hand in hand with the achievement of wider goals, where emphasis has to be given to the importance of lifestyle and social change. This inter-disciplinary research draws understanding from the social, cultural and economic studies to define the values and aspirations of the middle class and its implications on sustainable housing. One of the fastest growing economies in Asia, India, has empowered a large and powerful consumer oriented middle class. Middle class mores are aspirational and aimed at achieving western living standard and moving away from a traditional communitarian social model. This research presents the results of extensive field work in the southern-Indian city of Mysore that defines the values held by the emergent middle-class in respect to the built environment. Common areas and shared spaces have traditionally been very actively used and have played a crucial role in both passive cooling strategies and the maintenance of socially sustainable communities. Field work shows that attitudes to the built environment are polarised between well-maintained and protected housing interiors and poorly organised and maintained external spaces and examines how these transition spaces are used to reflect these values and concerns. The paper reflects on whether earlier traditions in sustainable building design in South Asia (Mysore) have relevance in a contemporary context and the importance of understanding the changing preferences and values of the newly affluent demographic.

Publication Date

2012-07-02

Event

The Asian Conference on Sustainability, Energy & the Environment

Publication Title

The Asian Conference on Sustainability, Energy & the Environment Official Conference Proceedings 2012

Publisher

IAFOR

ISSN

2186-2311

Embargo Period

2024-11-19

Additional Files
UoP_Deposit_Agreement v1.1 20160217.pdf (123 kB)
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