UK Housing Shortage: Construction Industry Research Proposal

This research proposal explores the housing crisis in the UK and its impact on the economy and social life. It investigates the reasons behind the crisis, council duties to address it, and recommends energy solutions to address housing costs.

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRIT
ABOUT UK HOUSING
SHORTAGE
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ABSTRACT
This proposal has described about the housing crises in UK. It has been mentioned that how
housing crises is impacting on UK economy and social life of people. Moreover, literature
review is been done on basis of different themes. Also, it has been mentioned about objectives
and research question to identify reasons for housing crises and what solutions can be taken to
solve it. In this proposal scholar has used several research methods to conduct study. In this
primary and secondary data collection method and qualitative research type has been used.
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Table of Contents
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
PRELIMINRY LITERATURE REVIEW.......................................................................................4
RESEARCH QUESTION AND OBJECTIVES.............................................................................6
METHOD........................................................................................................................................7
TIMESCALE...................................................................................................................................8
RESOURCES..................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
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INTRODUCTION
Housing sector plays significant role in society. They provide homes and buildings for
people to live in. It is important for government to focus on construction sector so that economic
growth is improved. For any nation it becomes highly difficult to solve housing crises if it
occurs. This is because it affect the overall GDP of nation and social life. The construction sector
requires huge investment to grow and develop. Apart from it, banks play vital role in allocating
funds to people. They also provide various schemes related to housing that is availed (Wetzstein,
2017).
The essential need of an individual is food, cloth and shelter. These needs must be fulfilled
to ensure enhanced social life. The role of construction sector is to undertake various residential
projects. With rise in population every country requires more houses. However, government role
is to develop policy to ensure crises does not happen. A country growth is determined by many
sectors which include construction sector also. Many countries and cities are facing housing
crises due to change in laws, policy and many other reasons. But UK is facing housing crises due
to which its economic growth is declined. People are not able to afford houses. With lack of
houses and facilities there is need to build and construct more houses in UK. So, one of reason of
UK decline in economic growth is housing crises. The nation is not able to cope with this as
there is no proper framework or strategy developed.
PRELIMINRY LITERATURE REVIEW
According to Arif, Killian and Kaushik, 2017, for every individual housing is basic need
that must be fulfilled. In Maslow needs theory housing comes under category of psychological
need. Alongside, an individual need house to live in with their family. However, in every nation
construction industry plays a vital role in its economic growth. The sector contributes a major
part in GDP. Besides this, they provide employment to people and improve their social life as
well. Thus, if there is any downfall in construction sector it highly impact on overall GDP.
Moreover, there are many other sectors as well that is dependent on construction industry growth
and development. The industries are cement, steel, etc.
As said by Balchin and Rhoden, 2019 UK is a developed nation. It is having a high tech
and advance infrastructure. There are many types of houses and buildings in UK. The
geographical area of UK is 95,960 square metres and its population is 66 million as on 2018. As
UK area is small and population is rising there is need to develop houses in local areas away
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from city. But in recent times, country is highly facing crises in construction sector. This is
because of different factors that is affecting growth of this sector. Furthermore, investment done
by government and other companies is decreased. So, due to it, construction companies are not
able to develop houses and proceed with other projects. There are many projects which are
pending or stuck. Along with it, banks are also not able to provide funds to companies. The
crises have not only occurred in residential category but also in commercial. It is estimated that
8.4 million people are facing crises in UK. The major ones are those who are living in crowded
area or in rental space. In research done almost 3.6 million lives in crowded home, 2.5 million
are not able to afford their rent, 1.4 million lives in poor quality homes. Beside that, 1.7 million
live in such place where there is no outside space available. Other than this, every year there is
rise in prices of property. So, it is impacting in rent or mortgage prices directly. Basically, in
cities like London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, etc. people are facing housing crises.
In the view of Edwards, 2016 there is great affect of housing crises in UK. Due to it, there is
high rise in prices of property. Also, with less residential space available there is rise in prices of
rent as well. So, these both are not affordable to people living in UK. In addition to it, with
global financial crises the interest rate is also low. The shortage of house and its inflated price of
home that are offered for sale increases demand for rental buildings. Hence, people are paying
more rent that is affecting their lifestyle. Due to crises people are unable to save money. Their
spending decreases and it leads to decline in growth of another sector. For example- people are
not able to spend leisure time, they do not buy essential items from market, etc. So, flow and
exchange of money is stopped within economy. It highly affect on entire economic growth.
As stated by Mccall and Mooney, 2018 people are out of cash and is depending on bank
loan to pay their housing rent. Only rich and high middle class people are able to afford it. The
rate of property that are kept empty by people are rising. It is also a reason of crises. UK
government announced some measures related to housing but in that no targets were included,
nothing mentioned about social housing, etc. However, in 2015 government announced to build
200,000 affordable homes but not event single one was built.
As elucidated by McCrone and Stephens, 2017, government play vital role in solving any
issue or crises within economy. They regulate different sectors and form policy and laws for
benefit of people. Basically, in construction government suggest solution and monitor overall
industry. They develop plan and strategies of future that how sector growth is boosted.
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Furthermore, laws and regulations are formed to control it. basically, crises lead to many issues
and problems in economy. There is rise in property rate. Also, prices of raw materials used in
construction rises. There are some council and association as well that are responsible for this
concern.
As said by Mulheirn, 2019, housing crises is heart of national economy break down. It is
because of change in this highly influence on GDP of nation. In this either new policy is
reformed or initiative is taken to boost construction sector. As nation infrastructure determine
that how well developed it is. Beside that, it also shows rural and urban development. It reflects
whether all people are having affordable house or not. A country’s future is also predicted
through its infrastructure development. Many countries and cities are facing housing crises due
to change in laws, policy and many other reasons. However, the crises have occurred only in
developed countries as cities are highly crowded and there is lack of space for people to live. For
example- in California housing crises occurred due to change in framework. Likewise, UK is
also a developed nation so this situation occurred there as well. According to () there are many
causes of housing crises. It can be either due to government regulation, debt obligation, interest
only mortgage, etc. These all impact in different way on construction sector but its end result is
same. The ineffective and poor credit policy is also reason of housing crises.
In a study conducted by Robertson, 2017, it has been evaluated that at present time,
many types of houses are built by government. It includes flat pack homes, smart homes, etc. in
that many new concepts and technique is applied to construct it. so, building these all has
enabled in fulfilling needs of people. it is supporting developed and developing countries to
solve issue of housing crises. The smart homes is able to save and consume energy in such a way
that people are easily able to afford it. Along with it, in small space these houses are built.
Hence, it provides more space for people to live in. Now, major construction projects are
undertaken in regard to smart homes.
RESEARCH QUESTION AND OBJECTIVES
Aim- To analyse the reasons for housing crises in UK. A case study on construction industry.
Objectives
 To investigate reasons behind housing crises
 To identify the council duties to address housing crises
 To recommend energy solutions to address housing cost
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Research questions
 What are the reasons behind housing crises?
 What are the council duties to address housing crises?
 How energy solutions can be used to address housing cost?
METHOD
There are many research methods that will be undertaken in conducting the study. They are
as follows :
Research philosophy- it is a framework through which entire research is done and data is
gathered. It clarifies scope and nature of study. There are different philosophies available like
positivism, interpretivism, realism, etc. In context to this study, positivism philosophy will be
used.
Research type- this shows the way in which data is to be gathered. The overall outcomes are
based on data collection. Usually, there are two types qualitative and quantitative. The researcher
will use qualitative research types to gather data and information (Stephens and Stephenson,
2016)
Research approach – it provides the plan or procedure in which data is interpreted. This makes
it easy to understand and get insight of how relevant outcomes are attained. Inductive, deductive
and abductive are three approaches used. Here, scholar will use inductive approach.
Data collection – It refers to process or framework of how and from where data is gathered. This
element plays vital role in generating outcomes as they are dependent on data collection method.
Primary and secondary are two data collection methods. In present study, researcher will use
both primary and secondary methods to gather precise and accurate data from reliable sources.
Sampling – the process of selecting sample from population on which research is to be done.
there are two common methods in this which is probability and non probability. In both there are
some other methods as well. Here, scholar will use random sampling method. The participants
will be 20 managers of construction companies.
Data analysis – the technique or tool through which data and information is interpreted and
analysed. it is necessary to obtain relevant and precise data so that research question is answered.
Also, use of data analysis technique depend on nature and type of research. in this thematic
analysis will be used as data analysis technique (Watt and Minton, 2016).
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TIMESCALE
Activity 1 to 2
Week
2 to 3
Week
3 to 5
Week
5 to 6
Week
6 to 7
Week
7 to 8
Week
8 to 9
Week
9 to 10
Week
10 to
11
Week
11 to
12
Week
Identify
research topic
Review of
Literature
Drafting
Methodologies
Complete
Proposal
Designing
questionnaire
Collection of
data
Analysing data
and
interpretation
Discussion and
Conclusion
Submission
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RESOURCES
Resources- There are some resources required like human resource, software, server, etc. in
research. Thus, better and efficient resources aid to bring systematic working within the
enterprise.
Cost – this is an essential component that enables in allocation of resources. Cost is required to
travel, stationary items, photocopy, etc. For this research total cost required will be approx.
€1500.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Arif, M., Killian, P. and Kaushik, A., 2017. Barriers and challenges for offsite construction in
UK housing sector.
Balchin, P. and Rhoden, M., 2019. Housing policy: an introduction. Routledge.
Edwards, M., 2016. The housing crisis: too difficult or a great opportunity?. Soundings, 62(62),
pp.23-42.
Mccall, V. and Mooney, G., 2018. The Repoliticization of High-Rise Social Housing in the UK
and the Classed Politics of Demolition. Built Environment, 43(4), pp.637-652.
McCrone, G. and Stephens, M., 2017. Housing policy in Britain and Europe. Routledge.
Mulheirn, I., 2019. Tackling the UK housing crisis: is supply the answer. UK Collaborative
Centre for Housing Evidence.
Robertson, M., 2017. The great British housing crisis. Capital & Class, 41(2), pp.195-215.
Stephens, M. and Stephenson, A., 2016. Housing policy in the austerity age and beyond. Social
policy review, 28, pp.63-85.
Watt, P. and Minton, A., 2016. London's housing crisis and its activisms:
Introduction. City, 20(2), pp.204-221.
Wetzstein, S., 2017. The global urban housing affordability crisis. Urban Studies, 54(14),
pp.3159-3177.
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