SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF HIGH-RISE HOUSING

Abstract

Rapid growth of the population of our metropolitan cities and consequent demand for additional shelter is making high-rise apartment living inevitable as well as viable. However, designers, planners and builders while constructing such apartments seem to be guided by rising land values only. Not much atten tion is paid to social and psychological factors in planning and shaping highrise living. "In the past too much attention has been given to technical research of which direct importance is clearly obvious. Too little attention has been given to social, psychological and biological and other problems especially those directly related with human life in all its respects" (Ettinger, 1960). The present study endeavours to gather and analyse empirical evidence on the design and other implications of social and psychological factors concer ning high-rise living. The objective being to evolve some guidelines to make this built environment comparatively more conducive for harmonious and happy living. Bombay, with the largest concentration of high-rise residential buildings in the country, has been selected for the purpose of the present study. A study-design has been formulated to gather bipolar responses, such as satis faction/dissatisfaction, happiness/unhappiness etc. of the high-rise residents. Details relating to socio-psychological aspects of such resident have been analysed with the help of appropriate satistical techniques. An attempt has been made in this investigation to gather and analyse user responses with a view to improve the planning and design of high-rise buildings and complexes. (iii) (iv) The study concludes with general and specific recommendations for attracting greater attention on social, psychological and other biological needs directly related with the human life in all its respects. A greater interaction between Architects, City Planners and Social Scientists at the design and planning stage has been recommended to help planners and decision makers. The study consists of eight chapters devoted to various aspects of high-rise living. A brief description of salient features deliberated separately in each chapter is highlighted in the following paragraphs. Details of the manner which has been followed to elaborate each chapter under separate sub-heads constituting the table of contents of the main thesis report has been included in the beginning of this abstract.