Author:

Abstract:

In the South Asian region, mass production approaches of large housing projects have been used for several decades. A large number of housing units have been built but are not fully occupied. Insight in housing preference is crucial information for designers and developers. Many studies have analyzed housing preferences but they are not used, moreover, most data sources from questionnaires and historical documents are elaborated with high cost and outdated when available. To understand housing preference and housing plot preferences, we propose a method to derive them from selected internet websites, and include them in a decision model at the early investment stage. The text elaborates how to derive a utility function with diminishing marginal utility via regression analysis and how to include this in a decision model. There are two clear conclusions: First, housing preference is only slightly better described with a non-linear utility function than linear one. Second, visual summary of the model can facilitate the selection process regarding housing layout in planning phase for stakeholders. In conclusion, the model can stimulate the housing market by linking the “willingness to pay of customers” and “profit expectations of economic actors”. The model is also useful for policy formulations and social interventions in the market. The model can be further elaborated by including more design variables and can be applied in other contexts. Keywords: Housing preference, Decision- Making, Multi-Objective optimization, web based data collection, early design stage, willingness to pay.