The diversity of housing typologies in the service of the complexification of inhabitant's needs and expectations: Observations in the heart of Hainaut

Big changes constantly disrupt the society and the world. Populations evolve as well as in their lifestyles as in their ideals. Based on the INSEE survey data, Yvonne Bernard has clearly identified those evolutions since the nineties. These social transformations influence the lifestyles within the habitat: the generalisation of woman’s work, the modifications of the family group (emergence of a large number of single-parent families, recomposed families, person living alone...) and the reduction of working hours (involving spending more time at home), including the flexibility of use (influenced for instance by the « work at home » which implies the organisation of a work place within the household) cause changes in the way of inhabiting. « Ainsi la forme de l’habitat et son évolution reflètent très largement celle des mentalités, des moyens d’existence et des modes de vie. » A difference can also be seen between generations: while for the old generations, the habitat is constituted by private and public spaces clearly differentiated (room dedicated to the everyday life – room dedicated to the family – room dedicated to couple’s intimacy), for the young’s, spaces tend to interweave, they open up. Not to mention the important demographic evolution that we are facing. There are two reasons for this evolution. Whereas life expectancy is increasing (resulting in a more and more long life), the number and the proportion of old people in the population increase. In addition to those changes, energy needs complicate the whole. The current standards are still little respected: the existing housing stock suffers from critical gaps in terms of energy savings and comfort. But also from problems linked to the financial aspect: a more and more precarious society, difficulties to become landlord, social authorities more and more solicited for social housings construction... In some cities (and even more in the study area specifically targeted: the center-Mons-Borinage), the population has important financial difficulties which does not foster the access to a correct and decent housing. Therefore it is required to rethink housing; to innovate in order to find adaptative solutions for everyones. Housing and its