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Evaluation of contemporary housing in Tirana using space syntax visibility graphs

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Abstract

During the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of newly constructed apartment buildings in Tirana. The new residences are mostly hi-raised multifamily blocks which are replacing the existing low-storey urban fabric. The balance between outdoor and indoor life is rapidly changing because the communal public spaces in Tirana continue to disappear. The quality and efficiency of apartment design, provision of adequate spaces for common activities inside the dwellings have increasingly now started to play a more important role. The Space Syntax visibility analysis helps to understand the difference in the design approach of the apartments from the perspective of different price categories. Matching the visibility graphs with the room function allows for the comparison of the social meaning of space with its design quality and furthermore, to understanding its level of privacy. The results show that there is a similar approach in the design of the apartments at any price level. This uniformity is based on the standard expectations of both the residents and the developers.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to declare that all the work including the paper conceptualization, literature review, material preparation, data collection and analysis, discussion and conclusion were performed by solely by Anna Yunitsyna. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Anna Yunitsyna at 27.09.2021 and it was further edited by Anna Yunitsyna. There were no other authors involved at any stage of the work on this paper. The manuscript have been submitted for the first time to the Journal of Housing and Built Environment at the 7.12.2021.

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No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript. The author have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

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  1. Department of Architecture, Epoka University, Rruga Tiranë-Rinas, Km 12, 1032, Vorë, Albania

    Anna Yunitsyna

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Yunitsyna, A. Evaluation of contemporary housing in Tirana using space syntax visibility graphs. J Hous and the Built Environ 38, 651–669 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-022-09964-y

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