Community perception and adaptation about living in shop house in Medan, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Shop house is one of the urban mix-use typologies that unites both commercial and housing function in one building. This type has been built since 900 BC, still and tends to be built more and more, particularly in Medan, Indonesia. This paper aims to describe how people perceived and adapted to the house of limited view, daylight, natural ventilation, and without a courtyard. The research took place in three shop houses corridors in Medan, namely Jamin Ginting, Setia Budi, and Sutomo Corridors. The study used a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. The data of residents’ perception was collected through an evaluation-statement in five points Likert scale. The way people adapted the house was identified by analyzing the questionnaire by using descriptive statistic. The overall analysis was carried out through qualitative approach, that explaining the phenomenon and all relevant variables. The investigation found that respectively the community was satisfied with their house, especially the commercial area, as the needs they prioritized above a house. As a consequence, they adapted to the other rooms of limited view, natural ventilation, and dimension. However, while the residents in Sutomo Corridor had no wish of another house, the Jamin Ginting and Setiabudi Corridors’ occupants still dreamed of a more spacious landed house with courtyard.