A critical perspective for integrating the trans-disciplinary paradigm into a comprehensive understanding of sustainable affordable housing

Sustainable affordable housing is traditionally looked at as a way of satisfying certain indicators linked with performance criteria; be it environmental, economic, cultural or social. Current efforts are usually based on addressing multiple criteria in isolation and tend to overlook the process of achieving sustainability, hence affecting the success of a housing policy or a sustainable affordable housing project. This paper calls for a fresh look at an integrated approach necessary to capitalize on current efforts. The paper discusses the complexity of affordable housing sustainability while critically analyzes shortcomings in typical approaches adopted to achieve sustainability. It introduces the trans-disciplinary paradigm that is based on transgressing the boundaries of different disciplines essential to the creation of sustainable affordable housing environments. A responsive approach is conceptualized based on integrating multiple sets of issues while envisioning the way in which such an approach can the planning and design process of a sustainable affordable housing project.