Standardization in Construction as a Tool to Reduce Cost of Housing for the Low-Income Families in Jordan

Abstract

Providing a decent housing is a major challenge for governments and development authorities in Jordan and Arab countries. Nevertheless, the growing number of population falling under poverty put more demand on low cost housing options. The goal of the research was to find ways of rationalizing the cost and determine the appropriate standards and models that achieve an acceptable equation between cost and performance, and that during design and construction phases. The study follows the method of investigation and analysis to get factors that reduce the cost of the house construction for poor families by means of the concept of standardization in traditional (popular) buildings system. The research confirms that the traditional system has many advantages that could strengthen towards development a low-cost building system by applying the principles of standardization through architectural, structural and electro-mechanical considerations of design. Research recommends taking on studies for low cost building system through comprehensive analytical study of local building experiences.