Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Transitions in Traditional Dwellings


Affiliations
1 Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India
2 Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India
 

A dwelling, while providing shelter, reflects the identity and individuality of its occupant(s). Traditional architecture evolved with time, catering to the needs of the inhabitants, adopting local materials and in harmony with the prevalent climate and environment. Growing aspirations and global pressures drive transitions in this traditional fabric, pushing towards modern construction practices. For traditional societies in Asia and Africa with a large rural population, transitions have serious local and global impact, including loss of traditions, increased material and energy demand, and contribution towards climate change. This article reviews transition in dwellings in rural settlements and makes an effort to comprehend its nature, drivers and consequences. Understanding transitions helps appreciate traditional building practices and design for a sustainable future.

Keywords

Built Environment, Modernization, Rural Settlements, Transitions, Vernacular Dwellings.
User
Notifications
Font Size

  • Mani, M., Ganesh, L. and Varghese, K., Sustainability and Human Settlements: Fundamental Issues, Modeling and Simulation, SAGE, 2005.
  • Vellinga, M., Anthropology and the challenges of sustainable architecture. Anthropol. Today, 2005, 21, 3–7.
  • Sinha, A., From tradition to modernity: the role of the dwelling in social change. In Environmental Design Research Association Conference, Champaign, Urbana, 1990, pp. 157–162.
  • Sim, S. and Mccarthy, C., Redefining the vernacular in the hybrid architecture of Malaysia, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, 2010.
  • Mlambo, H., Harber, R. and Pearce, B., The impact of impucuko (modernisation) of rural homestead living spaces on the dwellers in a selected area of Umbumbulu, South of Durban. Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016; doi:10.1109/ciced.2018.8592188.
  • Lee, S. H., Conituity and consistency of the traditional courtyard House Plan in modern Korean dwellings. Tradit. Dwell. Settl. Rev., 1991, 3, 65–76.
  • Gaurab, K. C., Why people build the way they build: a study of houses in Danchhi, Kathmandu Valley, Ball State University, Indiana, 2010.
  • Shastry, V., Mani, M. and Tenorio, R., Impacts of modern transitions on thermal comfort in vernacular dwellings in warm–humid climate of Sugganahalli (India). Indoor Built Environ., 2014, 23, 543–564.
  • Alsayyad, N., From vernacularism to globalism: the temporal reality of traditional settlements. Tradit. Dwell. Settl. Rev., 1995, 7, 13–24.
  • Nguluma, H. M., Housing themselves: transformations, modernisation and spatial qualities in informal settlements in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, 2003.
  • Potter, R. B., Binns, T., Elliot, J. A. and Smith, D., Geographies of Development – An Introduction to Development Studies, Pearson Prentice Hall, London, 2008.
  • Sarkar, K. D., Indian vernacular planning. Civ. Eng. Urban Plann. Int. J., 2015, 2, 37–48.
  • Mani, M. and Reddy, B. V. V., Sustainability in human settlements: imminent material and energy challenges for buildings in India. J. Indian Inst. Sci., 2012, 92, 145–162.
  • Henna, K., Saifudeen, A. and Mani, M., Resilience of vernacular and modernising dwellings in three climatic zones to climate change. Sci. Rep., 2021, 11, 9172.
  • Alatta, R. A. and Alamat, R., The role of revitalizing the traditional house in highlighting social–cultural and ecological dimensions in contemporary housing design. Int. J. Adv. Res. Sci. Eng. Technol., 2017, 4, 4606–4617.
  • Dingsdale, A., Budapest’s built environment in transition. GeoJournal., 1999, 49, 63–78.
  • Pulhan, H. and Numan, I., The traditional urban house in Cyprus as material expression of cultural transformation. J. Des. Hist., 2006, 19, 105–119.
  • Westerveld, R., Residences: what defines a house? How did houses change through history? Why do we still live in box-shaped homes? Productsociologie, 2015.
  • Rama Murthy, S. and Mani, M., Design for sustainability: the role of CAD. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., 2012, 16, 4247–4256.
  • Mosha, A., Influence of Western style planning on Botswana’s traditional urban settlement development patterns. Afr. Resour. Dev. J., 2014, 1, 39–57.
  • Japha, D. and Japha, V., Two missions: case studies in the meaning of tradition in contemporary development in South Africa. Int. Assoc. Study Tradit. Environ., 1997, 8, 7–20.
  • Kashikar, V., Time and space as process and product: an interpretation of vernacular and traditional architecture. In International Seminar on Vernacular Settlements, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus, 2012.
  • Chandran, K. M., Balaji, N. C. and Mani, M., Understanding transitions in a rural Indian building typology in the context of wellbeing. Curr. Sci., 2015, 109, 1610–1621.
  • Belz, M. M., Unconscious landscapes: identifying with a changing vernacular in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. Mater. Cult., 2013, 45, 1–27.
  • Eyre, M., Hashemi, A., Cruickshank, H. and Jordan, M., Transition in housing design and thermal comfort in rural Tanzania. In Fifth International Conference on Zero Energy Mass Customised Housing-ZEMCH, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2016, pp. 79–98.
  • Mahmud, S., Identity crisis due to transformation of home environment: the case for two Muslim coties, Dhaka and Hofuf. J. Faculty Architect., 2007, 24, 37–56.
  • National Sample Survey Office, National Sample Survey Reports 44th, 49th, 58th and 65th rounds, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India.
  • Dayaratne, R., Vernacular in transition: the traditional and the hybrid architecture of Bahrain. In Pace or Speed: Vernacular Building Types and Settlements in Transition, ISVS: The Fourth International Seminar on Vernacular Settlements, School of Architecture, CEPT, Ahmedabad, India, 2008.
  • Roaf, S., Fuentes, M. and Thomas, S., EcoHouse: A Design Guide, Architectural Press, Oxford, 2001, vol. 2.
  • Kotharkar, R. and Deshpande, R., A comparative study of transformations in traditional house form: the case of Nagpur region, India. J. Int. Soc. Study Vernac. Settl., 2012, 2, 17–33.
  • Ferdous, L., Kafy, A.-A., Gafur, A. M. R. and Wakil, M. A., An analysis on influencing factors of rural housing and settlement pattern in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Landsc. Archit. Reg. Plann., 2017, 2, 99–109.
  • GoI, Census of India, Ministry of Home Affairs; Government of India; https://censusindia.gov.in/ (accessed on 29 January 2021).
  • World Bank. World Bank data; https://data.worldbank.org/ (accessed on 29 January 2021).
  • Cengizkan, A., Rural vernacular architecture: state intervention and 15 years after. In Architectural Knowledge and Cultural Diversity (ed. O’Reilly, W.), Comportements, Lausanne, 1999, pp. 17–30; https://www.archnet.org/publications/3770
  • Eldemery, I. M., Globalization challenges in architecture. J. Archit. Plann. Res., 2009, 26, 343–354.
  • Mascarenhas, P. V., Timeless traditions: Ainemane of Kodavas, Kodagu. In Context: Built, Living and Natural, Dronah, India, 2015, pp. 85–92.
  • Ewart, I. J., Social and material influences on the Kelabit dwelt environment. Tradit. Dwell. Settl. Rev., 2012, 23, 69–82.
  • Ewing, S., Traditions of appearance: adaptation and change in eastern Tibetan dwellings. Tradit. Dwell. Settl. Rev., 2003, 15, 73– 84.
  • Patidat, S. and Raghuwanshi, B., Changes in culture and architecture from vernacular to modern: MP, India. In 30th International Passive and Low Energy Architecture Conference, Ahmedabad, 2014, pp. 1–8.
  • Amerlinck, M.-J., The challenge of change: ethnic identity and built form among Mexican Purepechas. Int. Assoc. Study Tradit. Environ., 1995, 6, 53–64.
  • Patidar, S. and Raghuwanshi, B., Vernacular to modern in the search of sustainable development. A/Z Istanbul Technical University, Turkey. J. Faculty Architect., 2016, 13, 115–126.
  • Hou, J., Interconnected changes: Ta’u dwellings and settlements in transition. In Pace or Speed: Vernacular Building Types and Settlements in Transition, ISVS: The Fourth International Seminar on Vernacular Settlements, School of Architecture, CEPT, Ahmedabad, India, 2008.
  • Mirmoghtadaee, M., Process of housing transformation in Iran. J. Constr. Dev. Ctries, 2009, 14, 69–80.
  • Sani, R. M. and Mahasti, P., An inquiry into cultural continuity and change in housing: an Iranian perspective. Socio. Mind, 2013, 3, 230–237.
  • Chen, X., Yang, H. and Lu, L., A comprehensive review on passive design approaches in green building rating tools. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., 2015, 50, 1425–1436.
  • Singh, M. K., Mahapatra, S. and Atreya, S. K., Bioclimatism and vernacular architecture of north-east India. Build. Environ., 2009, 44, 878–888.
  • Osasona, C. O., From traditional residential architecture to the vernacular: The Nigerian experience. Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, 2007.
  • Thomas, P., Conspicuous construction: houses, consumption and ‘relocalization’ in Manambondro, Southeast Madagascar. J. R.
  • Anthropol. Inst., 1998, 4, 425–446.
  • Indraganti, M., Understanding the climate sensitive architecture of Marikal, a village in Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh, India.
  • Build. Environ., 2010, 45, 2709–2722.
  • Chandran, K. M., Balaji, N. C. and Mani, M., Transition studies in rural building typologies: a case-study. In International Conference on Solar Energy in Buildings, 2015, pp. 345–350.
  • Upadhyaya, V., Transformation in traditional Havelis: a case of walled city Jaipur, Rajasthan. Imp. J. Interdiscip. Res., 2017, 3, 1482–1492.
  • Zhao, X., Tourism as an industry in heritage site – a case study on world heritage site of Fujian Tulou. J. Civ. Eng. Archit., 2014, 8, 499–508.
  • Mukhopadhyay, A. and Rajaraman, I., Rural housing quality as an indicator of consumption sustainability. Econ. Polit. Wkly., 2012, 17, 63–67.
  • Mani, M., Dayal, A. and Chattopadhyay, R. N., An assessment into the sustainability of earthen structures and modern transitions. In International Symposium on Earthern Structures, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India, 2007, pp. 22–24.
  • Khan, S., Kashmir’s changing architecture: losing gold for glitter. Kashmir Newz, 2014.
  • Ronald, R., The Japanese home in transition: housing, consumption and modernization. In Housing and Social Transition in Japan, Routledge, London, 2006, pp. 165–192.
  • Dili, A. S., Naseer, M. A. and Varghese, T. Z., Thermal comfort study of Kerala traditional residential buildings based on questionnaire survey among occupants of traditional and modern buildings. Energy Build., 2010, 42, 2139–2150.
  • World Bank, Residential consumption of electricity in India: documentation and methodology. India: strategies for low carbon growth, 2008; doi:http://www.moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/ Residentialpowerconsumption.pdf
  • Praseeda, K. I., Mani, M. and Reddy, B. V. V., Assessing impact of material transition and thermal comfort models on embodied and operational energy in vernacular dwellings (India). Energy Procedia, 2014, 54, 342–351.
  • Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction, International Energy Agency and United Nations Environment Programme, 2019 Global status report for buildings and construction: towards a zero-emissions, efficient and resilient buildings and construction sector, 2019.
  • Zhang, J. and Smith, K. R., Indoor air pollution: a global health concern. Br. Med. Bull., 2003, 68, 209–225.
  • Nwanaji-Enwerem, J. C., Allen, J. G. and Beamer, P. I., Another invisible enemy indoors: COVID-19, human health, the home, and United States indoor air policy. J. Expo. Sci. Environ. Epidemiol., 2020, 30, 773–775.
  • Hammond, G. P. and Jones, C. I., Embodied energy and carbon in construction materials. In Proceedings of Institution Civil Engineers: Energy, University of Bath, UK, 2008.

Abstract Views: 196

PDF Views: 96




  • Transitions in Traditional Dwellings

Abstract Views: 196  |  PDF Views: 96

Authors

Khadeeja Henna
Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India
Monto Mani
Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India

Abstract


A dwelling, while providing shelter, reflects the identity and individuality of its occupant(s). Traditional architecture evolved with time, catering to the needs of the inhabitants, adopting local materials and in harmony with the prevalent climate and environment. Growing aspirations and global pressures drive transitions in this traditional fabric, pushing towards modern construction practices. For traditional societies in Asia and Africa with a large rural population, transitions have serious local and global impact, including loss of traditions, increased material and energy demand, and contribution towards climate change. This article reviews transition in dwellings in rural settlements and makes an effort to comprehend its nature, drivers and consequences. Understanding transitions helps appreciate traditional building practices and design for a sustainable future.

Keywords


Built Environment, Modernization, Rural Settlements, Transitions, Vernacular Dwellings.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv122%2Fi1%2F29-38