Residential Connections

The initiative led by the University of Waterloo investigates the long-term consequences of rapid multi-unit residential building (MURB) construction in the Waterloo Region. The roadmap analysis examines 18 MURBs, comprising nine private and nine public buildings constructed across three distinct periods of development in the region (1960-1979, 1980-1999, 2000-today). This comprehensive analysis positions the lived experience of MURB residents at the center of the evaluation of housing quality. It involves an extensive resident survey, which data will be cross-referenced with digital and environmental models to assess the ecological, social, and subjective quality of these buildings.The roadmap highlights the detrimental effects of housing commodification, prioritizing profit over resident well-being, leading to lower-quality construction and increased social alienation. The roadmap addresses these issues by proposing three main outputs: creating new public housing standards for Waterloo region based on residents’ perspectives, integrating housing as a human right into Canadian standards, and developing a pedagogical framework that addresses three scales of housing connection – ecological, social, and subjective. This initiative follows a multi-year plan, including team building, case study selection, extensive data collection, and collaboration with municipal partners to implement improved housing standards.