Housing stakeholder preferences for the “soft” features of sustainable and healthy housing design in the UK

Prochorskaite, Agne; Couch, Chris; Malys, Naglis; Maliene, Vida

Abstract

It is widely recognised that the quantity and sustainability of new homes in the UK need to increase. However, it is important that sustainable housing is regarded holistically, and not merely in environmental terms, and incorporates elements that enhance the quality of life, health and well-being of its users. This paper focuses on the “soft” features of sustainable housing, that is, the non-technological components of sustainable housing and neighbourhood design that can impact occupants’ health and well-being. Aims of the study are to ascertain the relative level of importance that key housing stakeholders attach to these features and to investigate whether the opinions of housing users and housing providers are aligned with regards to their importance. An online survey was carried out to gauge the level of importance that the key stakeholders, such as housing users, local authorities, housing associations, and developers (n = 235), attach to these features. Results revealed that while suitable indoor space was the feature regarded as most important by all stakeholders, there were also a number of disparities in opinion between housing users and housing providers (and among the different types of providers). This implies a scope for initiatives to achieve a better alignment between housing users and providers.

Citation

Prochorskaite, A., Couch, C., Malys, N., & Maliene, V. (2016). Housing stakeholder preferences for the “soft” features of sustainable and healthy housing design in the UK. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(1), https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13010111

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 22, 2015
• Publication Date: Jan 7, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jul 6, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 6, 2016
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 1
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13010111
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/773459
• Publisher URL: http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/13/1/111