Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
Award Date
2023
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Geography and Geospatial Sciences
First Advisor
George White
Abstract
Addressing the issue of housing deficit while providing affordable and sustainable homes is a significant problem in the United States today. This has prompted architects to design homes with less adverse environmental impacts despite their affordability, hence the birth of sustainable housing. Earthships are sustainable homes built from recycled materials, utilize solar or wind energy, and function as self-sufficient units. The study's main aim is to assess residents' perceptions of earthships and their willingness to adopt earthships in Brookings County, South Dakota. The research employs online surveys to garner data from residents, and data are analyzed using mixed methods. Results indicate that the most significant benefit perceived was the use of renewable energy resources, while the most significant barrier was the county's extreme cold temperatures. Factors affecting willingness to adopt earthships include age, homeownership, view of sustainability, annual gross income, and years of residency. The adoption of earthships in Brookings County will go a long way to contribute to the sustainable lifestyle of the community and release pressure on the County’s natural resources.
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Yeboah, Whitney Sunkwah, "Feasibility of Earthships as Sustainable Homes in Brookings County, South Dakota" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 682.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd2/682
Included in
Environmental Design Commons, Nature and Society Relations Commons, Physical and Environmental Geography Commons, Urban, Community and Regional Planning Commons
Rights Statement
