In the forthcoming decades housing will be facing major controversial issues such as those of achieving higher densities, obtaining socio-cultural acceptance through the retention of the inherent qualities of low rise, low density dwellings, and that of attaining sustainability. Courtyard housing addresses these issues fairly effectively with at least one individual courtyard allocated to every single dwelling unit. Apart from achieving higher densities, it possesses qualities such as ground relatedness, security, territoriality, dwelling identifiability, image of home, personalization, adaptability to alternative lifestyles, the provision of private outdoor space, and child surveillance possibility. These are qualities seldom found in other housing typologies with similar densities and are almost non existent in high-rise, high density projects. Sustainability is achieved through economies in land, infrastructure, building materials, energy, as well as socio-cultural stability. This study investigates the courtyard, the house, the neighborhood, the city and how these relate to the qualities mentioned above. A comprehensive and exhaustive review is also made of courtyard housing projects published since 1960. These are compared and analysed in order to derive possible improvements and suggest alternative solutions.

Castro, Ricardo (Advisor)