Housing estate

What Exactly Is a Housing Estate?

A housing estate, or sometimes referred to as a housing complex, development, subdivision, or community, is essentially a group of homes and other buildings built together as one large development. This concept has been popular in the United States and the United Kingdom for decades, but its form can vary greatly depending on where you are.

Global Variations

In major Asian cities like Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, Seoul, Taipei, and Tokyo, a housing estate might range from detached houses to high-density tower blocks. These can come with or without commercial facilities. In Europe and America, these estates may take the form of townhouses, high-rise housing projects, or older-style rows of terraced houses associated with the Industrial Revolution.

Historical Context

In Central and Eastern Europe, living in housing estates is a common way of life. Most of these estates originated during the communist era because building large housing estates was an important part of the construction plans in communist countries in Europe. In the United Kingdom, the term ‘housing estate’ can be quite broad, including everything from high-rise government-subsidized housing to more upmarket, developer-led suburban tract housing.

Different Housing Types

When it comes to building a housing development, there are several different types of housing utilized by developers. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common ones:

• Single Detached: These homes are detached from other housing types and have lower densities. They often come with lawns as an option.
• Duplex/Triplex: These consist of two or three dwelling units in a single building, offering higher density compared to single-detached units.
• Big House/Multiplex: This type can have one or multiple levels and up to 3 floors. It is often used for larger families or those seeking more space.

Common terms for these housing types include:

• Single Detached: House, Cottage, Villa, Bungalow
• Duplex/Triplex: Semi-detached, Double House, Accessory Unity, Ancillary Unit, Carriage Unit, Twin Home. This type can account for up to 5 units as well.
• Big House/Multiplex: Quadruplex, Mansion Townhomes, Back-to-Back Semi-Detached, or Grand House.

Other Housing Types

There are other types of housing estates as well. These include:

• Side Attached: Houses that share walls with adjacent units but have their own entrance and yard space.
• Stacked Rowhouse: A type of townhouse where each unit is stacked vertically on top of the other, sharing common walls.
• Small Apartment: Smaller living spaces often found in urban areas.
• Low-rise Apartment: Apartments that are not high-rise but still offer multiple levels and shared amenities.
• Mid-rise Apartment: Apartments with more than one floor but less than a high-rise building, offering a balance between privacy and community living.
• Apartment over Commercial: A type of housing where apartments are located above commercial spaces like shops or restaurants.
• High-Rise Apartment: The tallest form of apartment buildings, often found in urban centers with high population density.

Examples Around the World

In Hong Kong, for instance, the most common residential housing form is the high-rise housing estate. Private housing estates feature a cluster of high-rise buildings, often with their own shopping center or market. In Pakistan, gated communities with self-generated energy and modern amenities have been developed in major cities.

Challenges and Solutions

In Britain and Ireland since the Second World War, housing estates have become prevalent as a more affluent population demanded larger and more widely spaced houses. Housing estates were produced by local authorities or private developers. Local authorities produced low-end council houses, while private developers created higher-end tract housing for middle-class and upper-middle-class families.

Early high-density tower-block housing led to a decline in its use due to various issues like noise, privacy concerns, and maintenance problems. The demand for land increased urbanization at the expense of rural areas. Efforts to reuse brownfield sites have been made, but the UK faces a significant housing crisis due to rising demand.

So, as we look around us, it’s clear that housing estates play a crucial role in shaping our communities and lifestyles. Whether you’re looking for a cozy cottage or a modern high-rise apartment, understanding the different types of housing available can help you make informed decisions about where you want to live.