The following reading material and online video’s help you to better understand the topics of this module.

A. Sustainable housing management Ambition levels

The video lecture 5.2 highlighted various aspects of housing management. Housing management encompasses a broad range of ambition levels and corresponding activities. In this module, we will predominantly focus on the technical aspect of sustainable housing management(planet), but also address financial (profit) and social issues (people).

The following article on maintenance and repair, by senior TU Delft researcher Ad Straub, highlights the basic elements of the technical side of housing management. Maintenance is required to maintain a building’s initial performance capacity. This aligns with ambition level 0 as discussed in the video lecture. However, due to improved technology, rising standards, and growing prosperity, improvement and renewal are required to answer the expectations accordingly. Ambition levels 1 to 4 are underpinned by these rising expectations.

Please read the following sections of Straub’s (2012) article on maintenance and repair: Introduction, Construction activities, Maintenance and Improvement:

Straub, A. (2012) Maintenance and Repair, International Encyclopedia of Housing and Home (pp. 186-194), San Diego: Elsevier

B. Sustainable housing management Concepts

In the video lecture, three key concepts were shortly introduced that are key to making housing management more sustainable: Net Zero Energy Housing, Passive Housing and Circular Economy.

Please watch the following three online videos (or read the transcripts) to better understand these three concepts:

1. Net Zero Energy Housing

Energie Sprong / Net Zero Energy Housing

2. Passive Housing

Passive Housing

3. Circular Economy

Circular Economy

Download link:

Transcripts videos (English)