Sustainable housing solutions that foster resilience and inclusivity
By Heba Nazer, Green Buildings and Sustainability expert
Housing is crucial in shaping our identity and fostering a sense of belonging, while serving as a key objective in global sustainability efforts.
Sustainable solutions
Challenges like climate change, conflict and human rights violations have significantly affected housing availability, particularly for vulnerable populations.
According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the right to housing encompasses more than just shelter—it includes health, well-being and a clean environment.
Resilience and inclusivity
With over a billion people living in slums and millions displaced or in inadequate housing, the demand for sustainable housing solutions that promote resilience and inclusivity, is becoming a necessity.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable and adequate housing by 2030.
World Habitat Day: Housing for all
As we commemorate World Habitat Day, we recognise the importance of raising awareness about the global housing crisis and highlighting the need for affordable housing for all.
It’s a time to reflect on the challenges many people face in their search for decent housing while inspiring action to create sustainable inclusive communities.
Affordable housing refers to housing where the occupant spends no more than 30 per cent of their gross income on housing costs, including utilities.
This definition considers the typical cost of housing, including the initial costs of buying or renting, as well as the ongoing expenses for living and maintenance.
Why affordable housing?
The need for affordable housing arises from global challenges that the world is facing, with a need for two billion homes over the next 75 years to keep up with population growth.
As cities grow denser and people spend about 90 per cent of their time indoors, affordable housing, that is also sustainable and energy efficient, is key to creating comfortable spaces that are resilient and environmental-friendly.
Green housing
“Sustainable and green housing is becoming increasingly vital in the pursuit of affordable homes that benefit both families and the environment.”
This can be achieved from the early stages of design, including site selection, building orientation, massing and the incorporation of natural ventilation and daylight. Of course, and in addition to careful material selection to adapt the building to external environmental and climate conditions.
A green affordable home is designed to be both environmental-friendly and cost-effective with the following characteristics:
Energy-efficiency: Green affordable homes use energy-saving technologies like proper insulation, energy-efficient windows and appliances. All helping to reduce electricity bills
Water efficiency: These homes often include systems to save water, such as low-flow fixtures or rainwater harvesting
Eco-friendly materials: Sustainable building materials, like recycled or locally sourced products, are used to minimise environmental impact
Healthy indoor environment: Green homes improve indoor air quality and provide a healthier environment by using non-toxic materials and proper ventilation
Affordability and cost saving: Green affordable homes are built with a focus on low costs, both for construction and ongoing living expenses
Affordable Homes in Jordan
The Jordan Green Building Council, a nonprofit organisation that advocates and promotes for sustainable green buildings, launched the Green Affordable Housing pilot project in 2014 in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity.
This initiative aims to address the critical need for shelter in rural areas of Jordan, aligning with national plans for renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The project includes retrofitting 50 houses and constructing three new homes for over 250 people from five local communities—’Ajloun, Salt, Deir Alla, Dulail and Mashare’a.
The project involves enhancing the building envelope such as replacing existing windows to efficient double-glazed windows and adding an insulation layer of polystyrene which reduces heat loss in winter ensuring a comfortable indoor environment.
It also involves adding shading elements on the windows which protect the building from heat in summer and reduces the demand for mechanical cooling.
With just simple enhancements on the building envelope, families have saved up to 30 Jordanian dinars on electricity bills and up to almost 45 percent in heating consumption.
Small changes big savings
These outcomes show how small changes to the building envelope can lead to substantial savings, promoting energy efficiency and enhancing families’ quality of life.
By improving building performance through simple, low-cost design techniques—like optimising natural resources such as sunlight and wind, or enhancing the building envelope—we can significantly reduce reliance on mechanical systems for heating, cooling and artificial lighting. This, in turn, lowers utility, water and energy bills, creating a healthier environment and reducing resource consumption.
Access to energy-efficient, sustainable homes should be available to everyone, regardless of income or social status. This belief drives the journey toward green, affordable housing, ensuring that sustainable living is a right for all.
The Future of Housing and Environmental Impact
By 2030, three billion people—40% of the global population—will need suitable housing, either through new construction or renovations
The construction industry is expected to add floor space equivalent to the size of Paris every week for the next 35 years
Buildings account for:
40% of global energy consumption
30% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions
50% of raw material usage
Buildings consume 12% of the world’s freshwater and contribute to significant land use, resulting in habitat destruction and biodiversity loss
As cities grow denser and people spend around 90% of their time indoors, affordable, sustainable and energy-efficient housing is essential for creating comfortable spaces that are both resilient and environmentally friendly
About Green Affordable Housing Project in Jordan
Raised awareness about green housing among over 9,000 people
Trained 20 local builders in green building
Fostered collaboration through an upcycling initiative where local and refugee craftswomen combined environmental sustainability with community empowerment
Enabled families without municipal water access to save 1-2 tanks of water per month, reducing their usage by 30%
You can contact Heba Nazer at [email protected]
