Sustainability, Vol. 11, Pages 2409: Actual Conditions of Mixed Public-Private Planning for Housing Complexes in Beijing (Sustainability)

Mixed habitation environments have gradually proved to be an effective planning method to promote social integration in many countries. However, due to the differences in the social backgrounds of each country, it is essential to implement construction methods suitable for local conditions. On the other hand, the planning theories and construction methods discussed from multiple perspectives, including an architectural perspective of spatial forms, have been insufficient, which is not conducive to constructing a sustainable dwelling environment. This article aims to clarify the planning status of spatial forms and their issues by investigating existing projects with mixed habitation environments in China. Unlike other countries that have implemented relevant policies for many years, China has just begun to explore relevant schemes (i.e., public-rental housing in private-owned housing complexes) aiming to promote mixed habitation environments. The selected research objects included all projects already inhabited at the end of June 2017 in the city of Beijing. Through field survey, the research objects were divided into eight types via an analysis of building layouts and residents’ traffic lines. The results show that out of the many research objects, two kinds of housing were clearly distinctive, and only a few research objects matched the basic conditions to be defined as a mixed habitation. The conditions are not conducive to the formation of mixed habitation; therefore, a more detailed discussion on how to design a mixed habitation environment is necessary to aid further research.