A review of the article of “'Cultural and needs-based housing development case study" with the argument model and the Socratic Method for Housing Studies students

A review of the article of “'Cultural and needs-based housing development case study" with the argument model and the Socratic Method for Housing Studies students

 

How to describe the article in Harvard reference format?

Arifuddin, A. (2016) 'Cultural and needs-based housing development case study: the Bugis community in Makassar City', Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 227, pp. 300–308. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.06.075 [Accessed date if applicable].

 

Highlight the main research issues and research objectives, 2 main academic theories used and the main research methods used in this article.

The main research issues, objectives, academic theories, and research methods used in the article "Cultural and needs-based housing development case study: the Bugis community in Makassar City" by Arifuddin (2016) can be summarized as follows:

Main Research Issues:

• Understanding the influence of culture on housing form and development, specifically within the Bugis community in Makassar City.
• Addressing the challenge of integrating traditional cultural values with modernization and globalization influences in urban housing.
• Assessing whether the housing needs of the Bugis community, including aspects of security, comfort, and convenience, are being fulfilled in contemporary Makassar.
• Exploring how housing development can support Makassar City’s aspirations toward becoming a smart city.

Research Objectives:

• To identify the opinions of the Bugis community regarding their housing needs and ideas about culturally based housing forms.
• To analyze community expectations and fulfillment of housing needs using Maslow’s human needs theory as a framework.
• To propose innovative housing development schemes that respect Bugis cultural values while incorporating modern architectural forms and technologies.
• To contribute to developing livable, sustainable, and culturally self-identity urban settlements in Makassar through collaborative policymaker, practitioner, and academic efforts.

Two Main Academic Theories Used:

1.    Rapoport’s Cultural Theory (1980, 1983):

• Distinguishes between core culture (unchangeable) and peripheral culture (changeable), emphasizing that cultural values shape human behavior, housing patterns, and the built environment.
• Helps to understand the cultural characteristics of the Bugis community and their manifestation in housing design and urban settlements.

2.    Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory (1987 in Lang, 1994):

• Identifies five sets of basic human needs: physiological, safety and security, affiliation, esteem, and self-actualization.
• Provides a framework to measure and analyze the Bugis community’s housing needs and expectations (e.g., security, comfort, privacy, social interaction).

Main Research Methods:

• The study used a mixed qualitative-descriptive approach primarily based on survey data.
• Data was collected from 200 Bugis respondents across 10 villages in Makassar City using questionnaires and interviews about socio-economic background, existing housing conditions, and housing form preferences.
• Statistical analyses such as cross-tabulation and correlation analysis were applied to examine relationships between variables like income and housing adequacy.
• Observational data on housing conditions complemented the survey findings to develop recommendations for culturally responsive and innovative housing design.

 

Describe 2 main empirical findings of the article.

Two main empirical findings from the article "Cultural and needs-based housing development case study: the Bugis community in Makassar City" are:

1.    Housing Needs Fulfillment and Conditions:

• The Bugis community’s housing needs regarding space and privacy are largely fulfilled but show some limitations related to land availability and income levels. For example, the majority (98.5%) expect a Main Bedroom of at least 9 m², yet 55.5% of existing Main Bedrooms are smaller than that. Guest Room sizes meet expectations for 64.5% of respondents, with some desiring even larger spaces.
• Privacy and home comfort conditions are generally met by most respondents (66.5% for privacy and 68% for home comfort).
• Security conditions in terms of safety from fire (72.5%), flooding (78%), and theft (76.5%) are mostly rated as safe or very safe.
• Social interaction spaces such as Guest Rooms and Living Rooms generally meet community needs, with fulfillment rates of about 69% and 67.5% respectively.
• Despite this, more than half (58.5%) of respondents perceive their home size as inadequate, which is significantly related to lower income levels (below IDR 3 million). However, 78.5% find the impression or appearance of their homes satisfactory, reflecting self-esteem and self-actualization needs.

2.    Housing Development Preferences Reflecting Cultural Adaptation:

• When asked about future housing development ideas, a strong majority (89.5%) of the Bugis community prefer a modern house form combined with traditional style elements, such as stage form structures, gable roofs (timpa laja'), and traditional ornamentation. Only 9% preferred pure traditional forms, and a small minority (1.5%) favored purely modern styles without traditional elements.
• This indicates a cultural adaptation where modern architectural and construction techniques are accepted but integrated with local cultural symbolism and identity, supporting both heritage preservation and modernization goals.
• Recommendations include developing vertical, modern-style houses that maintain traditional Bugis architectural features to support Makassar’s identity as a smart city.

These empirical findings highlight the community's needs and cultural preferences in housing development, showing a nuanced balance between cultural continuity and modern living requirements.

 

Describe 3 main claims of the article in terms of Toulmin's model of argument and then provide a critical review of the article using the Socratic Method.

Below is an analysis of three main claims of the article using Toulmin's model of argument followed by a critical review using the Socratic Method.

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Three Main Claims in Terms of Toulmin’s Model

Claim 1:

Claim: The fulfillment of housing needs in the Bugis community generally meets expectations but requires improvements in comfort and social interaction spaces linked to income constraints.

• Data (Evidence): Survey results show 98.5% expect a Main Bedroom of at least 9 m², yet 55.5% live in smaller bedrooms; 66.5% feel privacy is fulfilled, 68% comfort is met; social interaction spaces like guest and living rooms are only moderately fulfilled (about 69%); 58.5% view house size as inadequate, especially in lower-income groups.
• Warrant (Assumption): Meeting spatial and functional needs in housing is essential to residents’ well-being and satisfaction.
• Backing: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory supports that physiological, safety, and social needs are foundational to human well-being (referenced in the study).
• Qualifier: While most needs are met, some aspects (comfort, social spaces) need improvement particularly related to socio-economic factors.
• Rebuttal: Some improvements are constrained by limited land and income, meaning immediate complete fulfillment may be difficult.

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Claim 2:

Claim: The ideal future housing form for Bugis residents is a modern house that incorporates traditional architectural elements, reflecting a blending of cultural identity and modernity.

• Data: 89.5% of respondents prefer housing that includes traditional features like gable roofs and elevated structures but uses modern construction methods; only 9% prefer pure traditional forms and 1.5% purely modern.
• Warrant: Housing design that respects cultural values while accommodating modern needs sustains community identity and enhances livability.
• Backing: Theoretical perspectives on culture and built environment (Rapoport, Altman & Chemers) confirm architecture expresses cultural values and adapts to socio-cultural changes.
• Qualifier: Preference is strong but not unanimous; minority prefer purely traditional or modern forms.
• Rebuttal: Modernization pressure might erode traditional forms if not carefully mediated.

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Claim 3:

Claim: Implementing smart housing and urban development in Makassar requires integrating cultural values, lifestyle transformations, and modern science and technology to ensure security, comfort, and convenience.

• Data: Lifestyle changes among Bugis in areas like shopping, health, transportation, and social interaction influence housing needs; recommendations include green open spaces, transit-oriented development (TOD), and digital social spaces.
• Warrant: Smart urban development must holistically address cultural, social, economic, and environmental needs to be effective.
• Backing: Literature on smart city planning and urban design supports multi-faceted approaches combining cultural values and technology (cited in the article).
• Qualifier: These integrative urban planning measures are proposed as necessary but require coordinated policy and community involvement.
• Rebuttal: Challenges include urban heterogeneity, economic disparities, and potential technological gaps.

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Critical Review Using the Socratic Method

Question 1:

Is the evidence presented sufficient and representative to generalize the housing needs and preferences of the entire Bugis community in Makassar?

• The study surveyed 200 respondents across 10 villages, which is a fairly good sample size and coverage. However, given Makassar's size and potential diversity within Bugis subgroups, can 200 respondents fully represent all perspectives? A more segmented sample or longitudinal study might deepen understanding.

Question 2:

How well does the study link cultural values to actual housing preferences without conflating heritage preservation with practical needs?

• The article suggests a strong preference for modernization blended with tradition. But could this preference be a social desirability bias, reflecting an ideal rather than practical feasibility, especially for lower-income groups? Are there economic or infrastructural constraints limiting the realization of these preferred forms?

Question 3:

Does the study critically consider the challenge of implementing “smart housing” concepts in a socio-economically diverse urban environment?

• The recommendations are comprehensive, addressing lifestyle and technology. But do these proposals consider potential resistance, disparities in access to technology, or governance challenges? How might these affect the success of smart city initiatives in Makassar?

Question 4:

What alternative explanations might exist for the observed housing conditions and preferences besides cultural continuity or modernization pressures?

• Could factors like government policies, land tenure systems, or market dynamics play a bigger role than acknowledged? How do these external factors interact with culture and lifestyle to shape housing development?

Question 5:

How are the concepts of “security,” “comfort,” and “convenience” operationalized and understood by respondents, and do these align with planners’ definitions?

• The study uses these as key indicators of housing fulfillment but does not deeply analyze the subjective nature of these concepts. Is there potential disconnect between planners' and residents’ perceptions that might impact policy effectiveness?

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Summary of Critical Reflection

The article provides valuable empirical insights into housing needs and cultural preferences of the Bugis community, effectively integrating cultural theory with applied urban housing planning. Nonetheless, it would benefit from a more critical exploration of socio-economic variability, feasibility of recommendations, and deeper consideration of governance and infrastructural challenges in implementing smart city solutions. Engaging further with residents’ subjective meanings and real-world constraints would strengthen the translational impact of the findings.

 

Describe 2 main research limitations of the article.

Two main research limitations of the article are:

1.    Limited Representativeness of the Sample: The study collected data from 200 respondents across 10 Bugis-dominated villages in Makassar. While this provides a reasonable snapshot, the sample may not fully capture the diversity within the Bugis community or the broader population of Makassar city, which is likely more heterogeneous. Differences in socio-economic status, sub-cultural groups, or geographical variation within the city might influence housing needs and cultural preferences differently, limiting the generalizability of the findings.

2.    Lack of In-depth Analysis of Socio-Economic and External Influences: Although the study acknowledges income levels and modernization pressures, it does not deeply investigate how external structural factors—such as government housing policies, land tenure systems, market dynamics, or infrastructural limitations—affect housing development and cultural expression. This limits the ability to fully understand the practicality and feasibility of implementing the proposed smart housing forms and urban development innovations.