Social mobility
Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals, families, or groups through a system of social hierarchy or stratification. A change in position, such as by occupation, without social class change, might be called horizontal mobility, whereas a change in social class is termed vertical mobility, up or down.
In terms of construction the CIOB produced a paper in 2016 entitled 'Social Mobility and Constriction; Building routes to opportunity' in which it referred to the definition set by the Government’s Cabinet Office, Performance and Innovation Unit, in their paper Social Mobility: A Discussion Paper, April 2001, produced during a resurgent interest in social mobility within government, being:
“the movement, or opportunities for movement, between different social groups, and the advantages and disadvantages that go with this in terms of income, security of employment, opportunities for advancement etc.”
CIOB conclude that as with many sociological issues, it gets more complicated the more consideration it receives. This starts with the fact that social mobility, as a term, covers a number of related but separate trends. Furthermore, measuring social mobility can be fraught and open to a range of interpretations.
The theme was later built upon at Government level by the Liberal Democrats in 2011 with their paper, 'Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers: A Strategy for Social Mobility' published in April 2011. Where Social Mobilty was more directly connected to Fairness;
"In a fair society what counts is not the school you went to or the jobs your parents did, but your ability and your ambition. In other words, fairness is about social mobility – the degree to which the patterns of advantage and disadvantage in one generation are passed onto the next. An unfair society is one in which the circumstances of a person’s birth determine the life they go on to lead."
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- A Blueprint for Change report.
- Access and inclusion in the built environment: policy and guidance.
- APM in conversation with Justine Greening.
- Changing lifestyles in the built environment.
- Collaboration for Change, The Edge Commission Report on the Future of Professionalism.
- Equal opportunities policy.
- Human resource management in construction.
- Social mobility and construction: Building routes to opportunity
Featured articles and news
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.