Lifestyle trends and housing typologies in emerging multicultural cities

Abstract

The introduction of new housing typologies in emerging cities is rooted in dynamics including infrastructural investments, urban growth rates and new development policies. In accommodating new lifestyles, demand-driven patterns by tenants and property owners are the main factors consolidating development trends in future. This paper explores the relationship between new lifestyle patterns and housing typologies in emerging cities. Within the context of Gulf cities, namely Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Manama, this paper investigates demographic structures and housing trends where a rapid phase of urban growth has transformed local urbanism. Current social structures were analysed by following a new ‘lifestyle framework’ resulting in the characterization of four main lifestyle trends. This is coupled with the assessment of 240 cases of new residences from the Gulf cities under study. The juxtaposition of both studies offers an outlook relevant to the importance of a transition from supply-driven to demand-driven housing dynamics to accommodate emerging multicultural societies. The paper thus contributes to a better understanding and identification of the social groups that are currently lacking suitable housing.

Keywords:

• housing typologies
• lifestyle trends
• real estate
• Gulf cities
• urban transformation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ashraf M. Salama

ASHRAF M. SALAMA

is an internationally-renowned academic and the 2017 UIA recipient of Jean Tschumi Prize for excellence in architectural education and criticism. The author and co-editor of nine books and numerous research papers published in the international peer-reviewed press, he is Chair Professor in Architecture and Head of the Department of Architecture, University of Strathclyde Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Florian Wiedmann

FLORIAN WIEDMANN

is an academic architect specialized in sustainable urbanism who has been working in research, practice and teaching since 2006. He is the author of various publications including two books, five book chapters and more than twenty articles in peer-reviewed journals. He is currently engaged as researcher at the Department of Architecture, University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom.

Hatem G. Ibrahim

HATEM G. IBRAHIM

is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning at Qatar University. His research focuses on design processes and simulations, contemporary housing studies and architectural identity. In addition to his publications in scientific journals and symposiums, Dr Ibrahim was a keynote speaker and technical program committee of multiple international conferences and an editorial board member of many international journals.