Vertical Housing Design Based on Ecological Architecture for Low-Income Communities in the Batu Ampar Industrial Area

Abstract

The rapid growth of the industry in Batu Ampar, Batam City, has made this area one of the main economic centers with more than 1,300 active industries employing more than 169,000 workers. However, industrial development has not been matched by the provision of adequate housing for workers, especially in lowincome communities (MBR) with an average income of between two and three million rupiah per month. Land scarcity, high land prices, and the presence of a 178-hectare slum area have further exacerbated the housing crisis. This issue urgently requires a solution in the form of efficient, healthy, and affordable vertical housing to accommodate the needs of the population. The design of this apartment complex applied an analytical method with an ecological architecture approach. Analyses were conducted on onsite characteristics, local climate, socio-economic conditions of the community, and required spatial needs. The design was found to optimally respond to the environment through the application of maximum cross-ventilation, adequate natural lighting, provision of green open spaces, an effective rainwater management system, and the use of locally sourced, environmentally friendly, and energy-efficient materials. The design outcome was a four-story apartment building with an effective circulation system and supporting facilities such as vertical gardens, communal spaces, children's playgrounds, and comfortable pedestrian pathways. This concept not only provided housing but also created a healthy, inclusive, and sustainable living environment.