The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar

A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review on the Impact of Housing Quality and Household Characteristics on Residential Space Choices and Preferences in Iranian Cities

https://doi.org/10.22034/bagh.2025.449834.5583
Volume 22, Issue 148
October 2025
Pages 5-28
The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

Mahsa Mokhtari 1
Seyed Mohammadreza Miralayi 1
Reza Nasr Isfahani 2

1 Department of Architecture, Ar.C., Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran

2 Department of Economics and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Advanced Studies in Art and Entrepreneurship, Isfahan University of Art, Iran

Abstract
Problem statement: The decision made by designers and architects to prioritize housing attributes desired by users is one of the pressing issues in housing design. For this purpose, both the role of housing quality and its associated attributes affecting housing choices and preferences have been examined in various studies. However, these studies have not been able to meet the challenges of designers and architects adequately due to the diversity of methods, lack of attention to architectural design attributes, different definitions of factors affecting housing quality, as well as inconsistencies in results.
Research objective: This study aims to identify, compare, and examine the results of research related to the impact of effective attributes on the quality of residential architecture through the lens of users in choosing or preferring housing. This research identifies gaps and presents inconsistencies in previous studies and ultimately provides the results that can be used in housing design in the investigated cities and contribute to future research.
Research method: This study adopted a meta-analysis and systematic qualitative and quantitative review method. For this purpose, all research related to the roles of “housing quality” and “household characteristics” in “housing choice” or “housing preferences” was reviewed. The studies were published in scientific research articles in Iran from 2009 to 2023 and were limited to attributes related to the interior space of residential units and buildings.
Conclusion: The results indicate a gap in the investigated issue in large cities. Moreover, inconclusive reports on the impact of various housing attributes and household characteristics on housing selection or preference were revealed by the city. The attributes of unit size and area, number of bedrooms in the residential unit area, safety and security considerations, and facade were the most frequently mentioned, while attributes such as functional relationships of spaces, architectural flexibility, building orientation, smart home, participation in design, etc. received the least attention in the studies, and the average number of attributes in housing selection studies was reported to be less than in housing preference studies.

Keywords

Meta-analysis
Systematic review
Housing quality attributes
Housing choices
Housing preferences
Household attributes
Housing users
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