Opportunities and Challenges for Using Modular Buildings to Support Affordable, Low-Carbon Housing in British Columbia

British Columbia faces two major challenges: climate change and a housing affordability crisis, both requiring innovative and scalable solutions. Among the available options, modular construction presents notable opportunities, such as shorter delivery timelines, improved cost certainty, and reduced on-site waste and emissions. However, it also faces challenges like transportation, regulatory misalignment, and limited public acceptance. This thesis investigates these opportunities and challenges through a qualitative approach grounded in previous literature reviews and case studies from Canada and internationally. While existing studies have examined individual aspects of modular construction, few have considered how all variables interact within BC’s policy, climate conditions, and housing crisis. This lack of comprehensive analysis creates a practical barrier to using modular buildings as a scalable and climate-adaptive solution in BC. The findings highlight that policy adaptation, public perception, transportation, and costs have often been overlooked in decision-making regarding modular construction as a viable practical solution in BC.

Author dc:creator

• Ghadimi, Ghazal

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Mahmoodzadeh, Milad

• School of environment and sustainability

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/IR-20960

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/29432