Making the case for refurbishment
Research has shown that refurbishment of council estates is the best option when environmental and social factors are properly taken into account. Refurbishment can deliver significant improvements in energy, environmental and health performance, which can lead to costs savings and improved living standards for residents. It can have lower overall lifetime costs than redevelopment and can cause less disruption to communities. Just Space and LTF commissioned the Engineering Exchange at UCL to review the technical evidence for demolition vs refurbishment of social housing. They produced a series of factsheets, videos and a peer-reviewed report, which you can explore below.
Demolition or Refurbishment The Community's Perspective
Pat Turnbull, LTF member and council tenant who has experienced regeneration first hand, explains her engagement and the work done by UCL's Engineering Exchange.
Demolition - doubly wasteful.
The construction industry produces no less than 35-40 per cent of the UK’s total carbon emissions and 35 per cent of materials desposited as waste. Refurbishment avoids this waste and conserves the emissions embodied in the construction materials, the building process, as well as emissions produced from demolition.
Refurbishment - better environmentally & socially
The UCL has produced a detailed report outlining the merits of refurbishment versus demolition. The Mayor's new Estate Regeneration Guidance says that demolition should only be considered as a last resort and he recently introduced new Circular Economy Guidance. Case studies have been supported by a 'retrofit' campaign led by the Architects' Journal.
Economically - the business case.
Option appraisals often fail to take a number of crucial factors into account:
- The financial cost of decanting the estate including buy-out costs of leaseholders.
- The loss of rental income for the Council both in the short term and long term.
- Increased temporary accommodation costs as a result of decanting tenants into existing stock.
UCL Engineering Exchange - research and factsheets
UCL Engineering
UCL Urban Laboratory
|
Demolition or Refurbishment of Social Housing - a review of the evidence. | Download |
|---|---|---|
University College London
Engineering Exchange
|
Embodied Carbon: Factsheet | Download |
University College London
Engineering Exchange
|
Health & Well-being: Factsheet | Download |
University College London
Engineering Exchange
|
Lifespans & Decisions: Factsheet | Download |
University College London
Engineering Exchange
|
Policy Briefing: Making decisions on demolition or refurbishment of social housing | Download |
University College London
Engineering Exchange
|
Refurbishment and Demoliton: Community Toolkit | Download |