Flexibility as a new approach for user satisfaction in low-income housing projects (Case study Masaken Zenhom–Cairo)

Low-income housing in Egypt faces challenges due to the small size of the dwellings, as noted in the Middle East Institute website. The limited space poses a significant obstacle to meeting the residents’ needs. To enhance the living conditions and transform cramped dwellings into adaptable and comfortable spaces, it is crucial for new housing projects to prioritize the design phase. This involves incorporating flexibility into the design concept and actively involving residents in the design process. This paper explores the interconnected concept of flexible design, emphasizing user satisfaction as the primary goal. By applying flexibility in design, the issue of limited space can be addressed, resulting in a useful living environment. Utilizing movable partitions and flexible furniture allows for multiple uses of the space, offering residents a range of possibilities. This approach considers the elements of form and design that influence user perception. The research methodology comprises two main phases: a theoretical phase involving a literature review on flexible design concepts, as well as an analytical phase examining a case study by conducting a residents’ questionnaire. The case study focuses on ‘Masaken Zenhom’ in Egypt and the ‘Vroesenlaan housing complex’ in Rotterdam implementing flexibility to ensure resident satisfaction. In contrast, Masaken Zenhom in Egypt represents rigid case, neglecting the variable needs of users and resulting encroachment. The concluded remarks demonstrate that a strong relationship between flexibility concepts integrated in designing phase improves the quality of life and user satisfaction for low-income housing residents. © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.