Day 1 of the Conference focuses on the need for assured action on housing, retrofit, buildings fit for the future, safe products and overcoming the systemic barriers to climate change
Edge Debate #154: 10.45 – 11.45
Net zero housing: the quality-affordability conundrum
Housing today must address a triple bottom line: climate resilience, health and affordability
The Climate Change Committee calls for all new homes to be net zero carbon. Climate resilient homes must also be located in the right places with adequate services, jobs and transport nearby. They must be more than ‘housing estates’ and promote healthy living, with green spaces on their doorstep or at least within walking distance.
With the dramatic increase in remote working, what a ‘home’ must provide has changed. Homes need to be more adaptable and ideally, they should include flexible workspace, though this can also be provided through work hubs in community facilities. The sharing economy can support social interaction and neighbourliness.
In areas where average house prices can be multiple times local incomes, affordability is a dual challenge: initial purchase price and ongoing maintenance. New housing must be durable for the long term and designed to perform so that energy use is predictable.
Chair:
Catherine Adams, Director of Building Systems and Net Zero’, Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC)
Speakers:
Standards, policies and action plans
The Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
The Healthy Homes Bill for healthy, affordable homes
The long-term delivery plan responding to the challenges
What is really ‘affordable’?
A developer’s perspective: the right homes in the right place