GHA Knowledge Base
The types of places we inhabit have a profound impact on health, society, the economy and the environment. This report distils 271 empirical research studies to uncover the truth about the qualities of the built environment that are good for us and deliver place value.
The Ladder of Place Quality is a simple tool for decision-makers to use when considering: are we making a great place?
Author: Place Alliance
Publication date: March 2019
This study considers the potential opportunities for tightening building standards for new buildings to support the UK in meeting its legal obligations under the Climate Change Act. The study considers a range of tighter standards for selected housing and non-domestic buildings in tandem with a range for technologies for space heating and hot water; namely gas boilers, air source heat pumps (ASHP) and low-carbon heat networks (LCHN).
Author: Currie & Brown, AECOM
Publication date: February 2019
GHA held a policy workshop entitled ‘Tomorrow’s Housing: Are Current Regulations Fit for Purpose?’ on Thursday 24th January 2019 at Winckworth Sherwood, London. The event included three roundtable workshop discussions facilitated by the GHA and a number of expert speakers.
The purpose of the discussions was to:
Author: Good Homes Alliance
Publication date: January 2019
URBED were asked to advise on how greater cohesion or social inclusion could be achieved in future developments, by considering the current principles in the light of published research and international best practice, and this took the form of a separate report on Creating Cohesive Communities.
They also were asked to make recommendations on assessing performance, and have considered the options for evaluating the quality of what has been built. This report summarises the conclusions and the evidence is set out in five appendices.
Author: URBED
Publication date: January 2019
The UK has a legal commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. This report considers different options for achieving carbon savings in new housing and non-domestic buildings and assesses their costs and other factors relevant to the development of local planning policies. The development of specific policy options will reflect local priorities, viability and other considerations but the information on costs and other relevant policy considerations is intended to help inform these decisions in developing effective policies that deliver carbon savings whilst protecting housing supply and household costs.
A range of dwelling and non-domestic buildings were considered, and detailed energy and cost modelling undertaken for five house types investigating a wide range of energy efficiency, low carbon heating and renewable power generation strategies. The costs of a variety of policy options were considered involving minimum levels of energy efficiency, onsite carbon savings and then the achievement of net zero carbon standards considering regulated energy or both regulated and unregulated energy. Allowable solutions/carbon offset payments could be used at a cost of £95 per tonne to meet the net zero carbon target once onsite carbon reduction targets had been achieved.
Analysis suggests that it is possible to achieve net zero regulated carbon emissions from a combination of energy efficiency on site carbon reductions and allowable solutions for an additional capital cost of between 5-7% for homes and non-domestic buildings. Achieving net zero regulated and unregulated emission is likely to result in a cost impact of 7-11% for homes.
Author: Currie & Brown
Publication date: December 2018
Council housebuilding must be at the centre of a renewed effort to deliver homes that generate growth and that communities need now and into the future. This new report shares examples of councils that are doing just that. The case studies of council housebuilding show how councils are opening up opportunities to build good quality homes that are designed to be accessible, affordable and energy efficient.
There is a wealth of information in this report about the context for council housebuilding, the broader picture of housing delivery led by councils and an analysis of the process councils have gone through to set up active building programmes. It is drawn from the direct experience of councils and their insights into setting up new building schemes. It is a complete and detailed study of delivering innovation in council housebuilding, presented here in sections so that councils can draw easily on the parts that are most relevant to them.
Case studies of innovative housebuilding projects are a core part of the report. Chapter eight provides ten case studies of council housebuilding programmes around the country. The report is both a complete study and individual sections of useful information and resources.
Author: Housing Quality Network
Publication date: August 2018
As part of the CCN’s Building for the Future project, which aims to showcase innovative county councils and unitary authorities delivering high-quality homes and communities, this report demonstrates that there is an appetite among counties to help meet national housing need but that they are not supported by national policy.
The report finds that there is an often-severe need for affordable housing among county and unitary authorities, with house prices in these areas among the highest in the country and at least nine times average earnings.
The report charts the progress of five counties trying to address local housing needs either through partnerships or direct delivery, ultimately calling on government to recognise the potential of this as a movement and make policy reforms to unlock further delivery.
Author: Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), County Councils Network (CCN)
Publication date: June 2018
Clarion Housing’s Circular Economy Strategy for regeneration established three fundamental principles: building in layers, social value and the waste hierarchy, which emerged following extensive literature review, research into industry best practice and engagement with Clarion and the Merton Regeneration Project teams.
Author: Clarion Housing
Publication date: May 2018
The Mayor of London is taking a range of actions to improve the environment now, setting London on the path to create a better future.
The state of London’s environment affects everyone who lives in and visits the city – it helps Londoners to stay healthy, makes London a good place to work and keeps the city functioning from day to day.
In many ways London’s environment is improving, but it still faces a host of challenges. Toxic air, noise pollution, threats to our green spaces, and the adverse effects of climate change – they all pose major risks to the health and wellbeing of Londoners.
We need to act now to tackle the most urgent environmental challenges facing our city, as well as safeguard London’s environment over the longer term. We need to ensure that London is greener, cleaner and ready for the future.
This is the first strategy to bring together approaches to every aspect of London’s environment, integrating the following areas:
Author: Mayor of London
Publication date: May 2018
Further information: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/london-environment-strategy
The Inquiry report makes a number of ‘rural proofing’ recommendations to increase the quality, supply and range of more appropriate age-friendly housing. It suggested an adaptation of the HAPPI principles when designing new homes for older people in rural areas, noting that new housing could preserve independence for older people and save NHS and social care funds.
It also recognised the need to build greater resilience and connectivity amongst local communities across all ages in the countryside. The Inquiry saw at first hand and heard evidence that building hubs for older people within villages also has the added benefit of retaining their support networks of family and friends. The Inquiry therefore also calls for wider community-led support solutions that could help people remain in their own village and stay connected in isolated rural communities.
Author: Housing our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation
Publication date: April 2018
