Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Lower-Cost Housing Problems

To protect and improve the total human environment is a major concern of all the nations of the world. This is well noted in the recent activities of the United Nations. The provision of decent homes for every family of our world is an integral part of the human environment. It is this belief which generated the initial interest for the planning of the International Symposia on Lower-Cost Housing Problems. The purpose of the Second International Symposium is many sided: to generate concern on the housing problems around the world as they exist today; to gather people who share mutual interest on the topic to exchange their knowledge and experiences; to publish a Proceedings of the symposium as a permanent document related to various aspects of the housing problem. The theme of the symposium is the application of the Integrated Systems Approach towards the total solution of the housing needs of the world. This approach includes the concepts of Systems Building and systems analysis. To use them beneficially and efficiently, a comprehensive inter-disciplinary study is necessary to define all the factors associated with the housing topic. A housing unit, wherever it is located, needs to be considered as a part of the total environment. A structure becomes home when it is occupied by people. The success and permanence of a housing project will depend on both the physical qualities of the buildings and the human feelings toward them. It is this awareness which demands the definition of all factors which affect housing problems. The physical ones can be rather easily determined with the aid of engineering knowledge. The human factors are the ones which require great ingenuity in their establishments. The inter-disciplinary approach is the only means to define the pertinent human factors properly. The statistical information is obtained by surveys rim on the occupants of similar housing projects which were previously constructed. Once all these factors are brought to light, they are related with logical operations. The goal of the Integrated Systems Approach is to reach an optimum result for total planning with the consideration of all relevant factors. The many excellent papers which are contributed by competent authors describe every phase of the housing technology and production. The papers are selected and printed in such a manner to include every aspect of housing problems with a continuity of the subject. A careful study of the Proceedings will bring to focus one major contribution which is the inclusion of more scientific knowledge and methods to the housing technology. This will definitely help to improve the present procedures used in the housing production. The need for new lower-cost housing units is great and will be greater in the near future. This creates major social and economic responsibilities to all who are associated with the housing industry. They have to prepare themselves in order to satisfy the need in quality and quantity; otherwise a social chaos will be inevitable. I sincerely hope that the Second International Symposium and the Proceedings will be a positive contribution towards the understanding of the totality and importance of the housing problems and needs of every country of the world. Oktay Ura