The role of local leadership in creating sustainable homes
In January 2016, the UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) published a green paper proposing a key leadership role for cities and local authorities in supporting the delivery of sustainable new homes and communities.
The report, 'The role of local leadership in creating sustainable homes', was published following the scaling back of ambitions for zero carbon and sustainable new homes by the national government in recent years.
2015 saw the scrapping of the zero carbon homes target - a policy which had been in place for nearly ten years - and the wind-down of the Code for Sustainable Homes, the key tool that developers and planners used to promote sustainable development in new build housing.
- What city, combined and local authorities in the UK can do, under their existing powers, to improve the standards of new-build housing in their area.
- How they can proactively use their role as landowners.
- How they could engage with the devolution agenda.
It suggests that local authorities can take a lead by, for example, requiring higher building standards on their own land, using tools like Open Book Viability, running energy companies, and a range of other policy innovations.
It also reviews what devolution deals could offer, considering the potential for cities to develop spatial plans for whole areas; work with industry to develop standards for higher quality homes; and bring budgets together to tackle health and housing issues holistically.
Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive, UK Green Building Council said:
“In the current policy landscape, with ambition in sustainable housing at a national level falling short, it is vital we consider how local and city authorities can play a leadership role. This is the only way we will meet our stretching carbon reduction targets and deliver genuinely sustainable places.
“This paper proposes that cities should learn from existing best practices in respect of planning and design tools, and drive up sustainability standards for housing on their own land. It also suggests advocating for new powers under devolution, which would enable them to work in partnership with industry to raise the bar for new-build housing in their jurisdiction. We look forward to the views of stakeholders on our proposals.”
The paper will inform UK-GBC’s work with local authorities, central government and industry in the upcoming city-region mayoral elections and beyond.
The full green paper is available here: http://www.ukgbc.org/sites/default/files/Role%20of%20leadership%20in%20creating%20sustainable%20homes.pdf
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
The ECA Industry Awards 2024 now open !
Recognising the best in the electrotechnical industry.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding..