Evaluating well-being in low-income mass housing in India with specific reference to natural ventilation

ABSTRACT The social well-being and health of the occupants of low-income housing depends not just on improved infrastructure and security of tenure but also on neighbourhood and apartment design characteristics. This study compares 14 best-practice habitat design models for low-income mass housing in nine Indian states, with Dharavi slum and slum rehabs in Mumbai paying particular attention to the drivers of natural ventilation which impacts the spread of airborne and aerosol-borne diseases and thermal comfort amongst other drivers of occupant health and subjective well-being. Simulations of neighbourhood and indoor airflow reveal the significance of built-environment parameters that should serve as prerequisites for well-being in low-income mass housing in forthcoming slum rehab housing planning.