Title User Acceptance of Flexible Housing for Enhancing Spatial Flexibility in High-Density Compact Dwellings
Authors 김은영(Kim, Eun-Young) ; 백정훈(Baek, Cheong-Hoon) ; 이상섭(Lee, Sang-Sup) ; 부윤섭(Boo, Yoon-Seob)
DOI https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2026.42.9.117
Page pp.117-125
ISSN 2733-6247
Keywords Compact Dwelling; Flexible Housing; User-acceptance; Willingness to Pay; Adoption Barriers; Policy Instrument
Abstract This study empirically examines user acceptance of flexible housing as a strategy for improving spatial flexibility in high-density compact dwellings. The analysis focuses on whether residents recognize the need for flexible housing, are willing to adopt it in their current or future homes, and are willing to pay the associated costs. A survey of 500 adults aged 20-60 living in compact dwellings of 40 m² or less was conducted using an online panel and quota sampling. Frequency analysis, chi-square tests, weighted ranking analysis, and binary logistic regression were performed. The results show that awareness of flexible housing was low, with 59.2 percent of respondents reporting no prior knowledge, while 54.4 percent considered it necessary. Intentions to adopt flexible housing were relatively high, with 68.2 percent willing to adopt it in their current homes and 78.4 percent willing to choose it in future homes. However, willingness to pay was limited. Most respondents, 75.6 percent, were willing to pay no additional upfront cost or less than KRW 1 million, and 74.6 percent were willing to pay no additional monthly rent or less than KRW 50,000. The main barriers to adoption were the initial cost burden, the need for landlord approval, inconvenience of modification, limited information and product availability, and concerns about durability and safety. Logistic regression analysis showed that awareness and perceived need significantly increased both acceptance and willingness to pay, and model fit statistics confirmed the adequacy of the models. These findings suggest that wider adoption of flexible housing requires not only technological advances but also greater public awareness, lower costs, public housing demonstration projects, certification systems, and standardized installation and removal guidelines.