Exploratory Action Research on Renovating Room Plans for Vacant Apartments Based on the Living Conditions of Young Working Households and Real Estate Data

Abstract

This study examines practical layout renovations based on actual living and unit specifications. In Osaka City, significant correlations were found between the number of cohabitants and the apartment layout (R² = 0.50), floor area (0.32), and rent (0.26) for young working households. The pre-renovation unit featured a 2K layout, a 40.5 m² floor area, and a monthly rent of 71 000 yen—specifications that did not align with the typical needs of any household type, potentially leading to vacancies. However, demand was observed in the premium market segment, suggesting that converting to a 1LDK layout could be a viable solution. The estimated monthly rent before renovation was 69 904 yen, while the expected rents after renovation were 72 741 yen (1DK) and 80 917 yen (1LDK). All three renovation proposals received applications, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach.