Evaluation of the residents’ satisfaction with high rise housing in new Eskan/Erbil–Iraq as a gated community

Abstract

High rise apartment blocks are the appropriate solution found in many countries in the world to solve the problem of lack of residential space, after the large increase in the population on earth. After the fall of the Baath party in 2003, a large number of high rise apartments were also built in Northern Iraq. The main objective of this research is to examine the user’s satisfaction in housing settlements via POE (Post Occupation Evaluation) approach in Northern Iraq/Erbil. For this study, the New Eskan housing settlement in Erbil was selected as a case study. The primary source of data for this study was collected through a questionnaire. Fifty residents of New Eskan volunteered for the questionnaire survey; they were asked about their needs and problems, and the data collected were statistically analyzed. The questionnaire is structured on the physical, spatial, and functional properties of the building system. According to the participants' answers, some problems were also identified as environmentally, socially, and economically. Indoor and outdoor space standards were evaluated. As a result of this study, "safety and security" has been found to be the main reason for life preference in the gated community of New Eskan settlement. In addition, the users identified a lack of sufficient green areas and common areas as the main deficiency. Respondents’ satisfaction on physical, spatial, and functional features of flats and near environment showed variations depending on the flats’ orientation and respondents’ education level. Short term, medium-term, and long term recommendations for better living in New Eskan settlement have been put forward.