Affordable Housing for Decarbonization in Developing Countries

This module seeks to develop an integrated framework for the design, construction, and management of housing improvement projects targeting low-income populations in developing countries, such as urban slum upgrading initiatives. The objective is to realize decarbonized, safe, and thermally comfortable living environments that ensure high levels of resident satisfaction, even under severe cost constraints. In response to the structural deficiencies, inadequate indoor thermal performance, insufficient ventilation and daylighting, and sanitation challenges commonly observed in substandard housing, the module fosters interdisciplinary collaboration among experts in structural engineering, environmental engineering, wind engineering, and educational sciences. Together, they aim to address broader issues such as the well-being of residents—particularly children—and the formation of cohesive communities, thereby establishing a sustainable implementation model. By shifting the focus of decarbonization research—currently dominated by cases in developed countries—this initiative aims to provide a critical counterpoint and contribute to the promotion of urban sustainability and improved living conditions in resource-constrained settings with high concentrations of low-income populations.

Developing countries account for about 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with emissions rapidly increasing particularly in emerging nations such as Indonesia. Meanwhile, the rapid urbanization in these regions has led to the expansion of informal settlements, which has become a serious social issue. In affordable housing for low-income populations in developing regions, there is a need to develop strategies that simultaneously achieve improved quality of life, health and safety assurance, and low-carbon/decarbonization goals.