Social housing in the 21st century Your views

A summary of responses to the IPPR consultation paper on social housingSIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:m00/16029 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Reinventing social housing finance

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:m00/16030 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Perspectives of UK housebuilders on the use of offsite modern methods of construction

Despite an increasing demand for housing and wider concerns over the need to improve performance, the industry seems to be reluctant to adopt offsite technologies. Many studies have attempted to scrutinize the barriers and seek ways forward, but the perspectives of housebuilders remain unclear. UK housebuilders' views on the use of offsite modern methods of construction (offsite MMC) have been investigated. This investigation was carried out through a combination of personal interviews and a questionnaire survey of the top 100 housebuilders by unit completion. Results suggest that the traditional drivers of time, cost, quality and productivity are still driving the industry in deciding whether to use offsite technologies. Nearly two-thirds of the firms believed that there needs to be an increase in the take-up of such technologies. However, current barriers relate to a perceived higher capital cost, complex interfacing, long lead-in time and delayed planning process. Strategies recommended are centred on changing peoples' perceptions, improving procurement, providing better cost data, tackling planning and regulations, encouraging political levers and providing practical guidance. The suggestions present a model for encouraging the take-up of offsite MMC in the future.Construction methods, housebuilding, offsite production, strategy,

What is stopping sustainable building in England? Barriers experienced by stakeholders in delivering sustainable developments

In England there is both top-down and bottom-up pressure to deliver a sustainable built environment. However, most new projects display few sustainability features. This paper presents 12 barriers to achieving sustainability in development schemes, drawn from qualitative research on five recently completed projects in England. The barriers that were identified by the stakeholders in the schemes include a lack of consideration of sustainability measures, real and perceived costs and inadequate expertise and powers. The paper concludes by suggesting some ways in which these barriers might be overcome. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.