Di Yang

Project Title

Climate-responsive residential building design for low-income elderly people in cold climates of China- A study based on energy use behaviour

Project Description

This study aims at understanding occupancy energy use behaviour of an older population in Shandong, China, towards architectural interventions to improve the indoor environment of rural housing. Current research mostly focuses on commercial buildings in cities, and rarely on residential buildings, especially in vulnerable groups of older people. Residential buildings in rural areas lack the development in understanding the older people energy behaviours, and the built environment conditions in a rural environment. This study undertakes a mixed mode inquiry method, to address the unaffordability of adequate housing and fuel poverty for older people of low socioeconomic status in rural areas. Conducting questionnaire surveys, interviews, and observations on five types of older households in rural areas, to correlate their energy consumption behaviours with indoor environmental conditions. Data gathered and building performance analysis will be used to inform low-energy, low-cost climate-responsive rural housing design strategies to promote ageing in place. This will help improve the living conditions of older people, improve their quality of life, and reduce public health care costs, as well as reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Supervisors

Dr Neveen Hamza

Professor Rose Gilroy