A Life-Cycle Cost Analysis of developing High-rise Sustainable, Innovative, Affordable Housing (SIAH) in South Africa

This research aims to determine the life cycle cost (LCC) associated with developing inner city, high-rise, sustainable, innovative, affordable housing (SIAH) and compare that to the LCC of conventional, low-rise affordable housing (AH) in South Africa. Whilst much research exists to quantify the extent of the housing backlog and the evident need for a more effective housing framework in developing countries, limited research exists regarding the feasibility of alternative AH designs. In this light, little is understood about the costs involved in developing SIAH designs, location, and the associated benefits to society. However, the growing housing backlog, increasing urbanisation, need for sustainability, rising land prices, and other critical factors make it more important than ever to understand better how alternative affordable housing can be of great benefit. On this basis, this study seeks to grow the knowledge surrounding this topic by providing insight into the potential life cycle costs of an inner-city, high-rise SIAH design and whether there are cost savings that can be achieved by implementing such a design comparison to conventional affordable housing over an expected 50-year life span of houses. The data collected was analysed using input into the LCC model and then further interpreted. The study's findings resulted in four different cost items related directly to an LCC analysis of affordable housing: development costs, operating costs, maintenance costs, and social costs. This research found that inner-city, high-rise SIAH housing has a 99% lower LCC than conventional, low-rise AH in peripheral urban areas. The fundamental reason for this is the significant social cost savings for households due to better-located housing. The study's conclusions reveal that alternative housing designs, particularly in the form of SIAH, offer substantial benefits in terms of LCC reductions over the lifespan of the building compared to conventional, low-rise AH designs.