Towards A Synergy Between Physical Comfort And Social Well-Being In Arid Climate Housing: A Case Study Of Béchar, Algeria

Abstract

Housing in arid environments presents a persistent design challenge, where thermal stress, solar radiation, and dry conditions directly affect indoor comfort and occupant well-being. This study investigates housing quality in Béchar, a hot arid city in southwestern Algeria, through the lens of architectural typology and its relationship to indoor environmental conditions. A post-occupancy evaluation (POE) methodology was employed, combining physical environmental observations with structured questionnaires administered to building occupants. Comfort perception was assessed across key environmental dimensions — thermal comfort, humidity, air quality, acoustic conditions, and natural lighting and ventilation — using a seven-point satisfaction scale. Findings reveal that architectural typology and spatial configuration are determining factors in shaping occupant comfort: building form, façade orientation, and exposure to prevailing winds and solar angles produce measurable differences in indoor environmental quality across housing types. Compact, inward-oriented configurations with adequate shading tend to perform more favorably than outward-facing typologies with high solar exposure. These results offer empirical grounding for climate-responsive design principles in hot, dry contexts, demonstrating that passive architectural strategies remain highly relevant in contemporary housing production. The study further highlights a gap between current construction practices and climate-adapted design, reinforcing the need for an integrated approach that addresses both physical performance and social comfort simultaneously. These insights are intended to inform housing policy, architectural practice, and urban planning in arid regions facing intensifying climatic pressures.