Sustainable Development Policy and Implementation in UK Housing Sector

This dissertation explores sustainable development policy and its implementation within the UK housing sector. It begins by providing a background on the UK housing market, highlighting its significance and the rising housing costs. The study delves into the rationale for focusing on sustainable housing, emphasizing its importance in mitigating environmental impact and meeting the needs of future generations. The research problem addresses the balance between sustainable housing and customer satisfaction, noting the historical challenges and the evolution of housing policies in the UK. The dissertation aims to analyze the significance of sustainable housing development and the execution of sustainable housing policies, with objectives including understanding the UK housing industry, analyzing sustainable housing development concepts, examining sustainable housing policies, assessing unsustainability in the sector, and identifying challenges in integrating affordable and sustainable housing. Research questions guide the investigation, focusing on the importance of sustainable housing policies, the challenges in their implementation, and the measures needed to promote sustainability within the UK housing industry.

Sustainable development policy and
implementation in UK housing
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PROPOSED TITLE – “Sustainable development policy and implementation in
UK housing”
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION (2500)
1.1 Introduction to the introduction
Introduction is the very first chapter in research study which includes overview of the
study along with the various areas and topics covered in it. This chapter provides brief overview
which help reader in understanding about what is covered in the overall dissertation. It covers a
brief background of study, rationale of selecting this study, research problem, historical
perspective of topic, research aim, objectives and research questions along with methodology
outline. At last, a brief summary of the chapter is provided.
Background of the study
In United Kingdom, housing represents largest non-financial asset class; it's net value
passed 5 trillion pounds’ mark in year 2014. Around 30 percent of homes are owned outright
through their occupants as well as further 40 percent are owner-occupied on mortgage. In half of
the European union countries, United Kingdom ranks the top with regard to quality of housing,
amenities and rooms per person. However, the housing cost as an income proportion is higher
than an average among European union countries. The rising housing cost in United Kingdom
may constitute crisis for some, especially those in high cost areas like London or in low income
brackets. The stock of housing in United Kingdom was occupied and privately owned apartments
and houses, local authority rented and privately rented accommodation as well as the property
manager through housing associations.
In early 20th century, below 10% of all houses owner occupied, however by early 21st
century, the figure had improved and risen to about 62 percent - just above European union
average. There were just over twenty-seven million households in United Kingdom by year 2017
(The Housing Market, 2021). This demonstrates that the importance of local authority housing
has decreased, whereas renting privately as well as by housing association schemes has risen. In
United Kingdom, the property which is privately owned is either leasehold or freehold. The
leasehold ownership means land is not owned and owner buy the right to utilise property or land
for the specific period of time. When the lease is first granted, then this time period is usually
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over hundred years. On the other hand, the freehold ownership means land is owned and the
property on land. The landlord rent out property by short tenancy agreement with privately
rented property, usually for six months, although it can be renewed. A monthly rent is paid by
the tenants, although other payment periods might exist. The housing associations provide
affordable properties for part rental and part ownership. This market is unlike various other
markets provided the relative significance of second hand transactions, in comparison to
purchase of newly developed properties.
As per the largest mortgage lender of United Kingdom, the Nationwide Building Society,
around 5 percent of transactions include new properties purchase. Indeed, the 95 percent of
transactions include purchase of either modern property (property build post 1945) or old
property (property build before initiation of second world war). There are two key reasons due to
which the housing market in United Kingdom is extremely important. First is that housing
usually representing biggest single purchase of household and house signify largest single item
of wealth of consumer. Second is that changes in the prices of house can have considerable
influence on rest of the economy. Thus, in UK housing industry, sustainable development is a
significant concept. Apart from this, execution of sustainable housing policy in United Kingdom
housing help in improving the sustainable housing development. This research study is based on
Sustainable development policy and implementation in UK housing and it intent to analyse the
significance of sustainable housing development and execution of sustainable housing policy in
UK housing.
Rationale for the study
This study is based on the topic “Sustainable development policy and implementation in
UK housing” and it aims analyse the significance of sustainable housing development and
execution of sustainable housing policy in UK housing. The main reason behind choosing this
study is that the housing market of United Kingdom is consistently growing. It has been
observed that the Northern Housing market is outperforming the south. There is high demand of
sustainable housing in the market which makes the study significant to perform. Apart from this,
sustainable concept is applied in housing industry which means more re-use and recycling, less
waste, along with low costs and lifecycle environment influences, less maintenance, higher user
satisfaction and better reliability. Sustainability housing development help in mitigating the
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existing requirements without compromising future generation’s ability to mitigate the own
needs.
Thus, the topic is of high significance and performing research on this study area will
assist researcher in acquiring knowledge and understanding regarding sustainable housing
development, sustainable housing policy and its execution in UK Housing. This study is helpful
in understanding about the housing industry in United Kingdom along with the sustainable
housing development concept. It also helps in examining sustainable housing policy as well as its
execution in housing industry of United Kingdom. In addition to this, the researcher can assess
and unsustainability of housing and community sector in housing industry of UK through this
study. Moreover, there are various challenges that the industry faces in integrating affordable and
sustainable housing. By the assistance of this study, researcher will be able to determine these
challenges so that appropriate recommendations can be provided which contribute to the growth
of housing industry in United Kingdom.
1.2 The problem
Sustainable development is all about mitigating the needs of human as well as enhancing
their life quality through minimising adverse impacts on the environment. Now days, the areas
where people live or reside contribute greenhouse effects and CO2 emission as much as global
warming that threatens to all the individuals as well as their health. Sustainable housing
development is one of an effective way that contribute in resolving this global warming issue.
Sustainable architecture seeks to reduce the adverse impact on environment of buildings to
enhancing modernization and efficiency in utilisation of energy, development space and
materials. There are three main elements of sustainable housing - environmental sustainability,
social sustainability and economic sustainability. There are variety of innovative technologies
and design solutions incited business challenges in accommodation quality and resident's
satisfaction. The designers often strive to maintain aesthetics of the appearances of housing as
well as neglect actual requirements of clients. As compared to the commercial buildings,
residential design should correspond to daily concerns of individual's lives and address the issues
associated to ambience and life experience. Thus, in order to ensure sustainable housing
development, an optical balance among sustainable housing and the satisfaction of customers is
needed. In order to address this issue in an effective way, sustainable development policy and its
execution in housing in United Kingdom is important. The sustainable housing policy stated
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sustainability in technical environmental terms, however social dimensions exist in some
measures in policy. In the UK sustainable housing policy, much emphasis is placed on 100%
zero carbon which is the main objective of new housing as well as measures are developed to
accomplish it.
1.3 Historical perspective
The industrialized building systems in United Kingdom have not been very much
successful because of several reasons involving inconsistent policies of government.
Construction industry's industrialisation was criticized through society due to quantity was
valued more than quality. The designers failed many times to consider technical matters or issues
in conjunction with aesthetics whereas the local authorities were criticized due to losing identity
of their tenants that caused several social issues including vandalism, depression as well as other
crimes. In fact, the UK housing history and introduction of new construction methods in 20th
century are related to various factors like welfare state policies, modern architecture and world
wars that considerably impacted the sector. After world war, huge destruction outcomes in
urgent and massive requirement for new housing as well as encouraged the government of
United Kingdom to enter into housing market. Subsequently, message size of housing programs
that were outside the existing traditional building resources capacity involving skilled labour and
building materials, give a rise to the idea of executing alternative methods of construction which
were capable of utilising non skilled labourers and new materials outside the construction sector.
The general belief in the industry was that through executing advanced technologies,
housing would alter from an expensive investment of capital to easily available product. 1960s
was the era of higher rise flats executing prefabricated methods of building. But, at the similar
time arguments against these types of construction methods and buildings were becoming more
evident. In 20th century, around 1 million prefabricated houses were built that led to adverse
attitude of public towards prefabrication because of low quality design, building skills and poor
materials. The housing demand and supply was fluctuating during the 20th century, demonstrates
the cycling nature of house building in United Kingdom. There have been various busts and
bombs in the market of housing, however the general housing trend has been downward. The
new house building rate in England declines from over 250,000 pounds in mid-1970's to around
200,000 in year 1989 and 150,000 in year 2004 (Review of the UK housing history in relation to
system building, 2013). This had happed due to two key reasons - dramatic reduction in
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investment of government in social housing and massive decline in private sector house building
rate.
1.4 Research goals
1.4.1 Aim of research
Research aim is stated as an aspiration or intention of the research investigation. The aim
of the study summarises in a short sentence which demonstrate what the researcher hope to
accomplish at the end of the research study. The aim is a specific statement as well as phrased in
a manner that it is possible to determine when it has been accomplished. It describes the
overarching purpose or the main goal of the research dissertation and administer answer to the
researcher of research question. It is the prime focus of dissertation which is expressed in terms
of aim and is the overall purpose of performing a research.
The main aim of this research study is “To analyse the significance of sustainable housing
development and execution of sustainable housing policy in UK housing. A case study on
Housing Industry, United Kingdom.”
1.4.2 Objectives of research
The research objectives define about what the researcher expect to accomplish by the
dissertation. These are expressed in lay terms as well as directed as much to the researcher.
These may be related to the hypothesis or utilised as purpose statement in the study which
doesn't have a hypothesis. In case, if the nature of investigation has not been clear from
hypothesis, objectives enable to understand the research properly. The objectives of research can
serve to direct the activities of study and concisely describe what the investigation is trying to
accomplish. Objectives of the study involves acquiring answers to the questions or testing the
hypothesis of research. These assist researchers to emphasize on study and also help in
narrowing down it to its essentials. The main objectives in context of this particular study are
provided below:
1. To understand about the Housing industry in United Kingdom.
2. To analyse the concept of sustainable housing development.
3. To examine the sustainable housing policy and its execution in the Housing industry of
United Kingdom.
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4. To assess the unsustainability of the housing and communities sector in Housing industry
of United Kingdom.
5. To identify the challenges of integrating affordable and sustainable Housing in United
Kingdom.
1.4.3 Research questions
Research question is the inquiry that investigation seeks to administer response to. What is
the initial step of the investigation and is the primary interrogation point or study as well as sets
the pace for work. Research question emphasize on study, ascertain the hypothesis and
methodology and direct all the phases of inquiry, analysis as well as reporting. With the
assistance of good research question, researcher will be able to collect useful information or data
for the investigation. These lie at the code of systematic research and is as recording accurate
outcomes of study is tied to asking write type of question. The study question must be
emphasized on single topic or on various closely associated ideas. The main questions associated
with this particular investigation are as follows:
1. What do you understand about the Housing industry in United Kingdom?
2. What is the concept of sustainable housing development?
3. What is the sustainable housing policy and how it executes in the Housing industry of
United Kingdom?
4. How the unsustainability of the housing and communities sector occurs in Housing
industry of United Kingdom?
5. Which are the challenges of integrating affordable and sustainable housing in United
Kingdom?
1.5 Outline Methodology
Research methodology is the procedure through which data is collect and analyse. It
consists of various methods which assist in performing the study systematically. In relation to
this particular study, different research methodologies are used. This study is based on both
primary and secondary research methods. The secondary data is collected through using journal
articles, books and previously published records. On the other hand, primary data is gathered
through using questionnaire which is the tool to gather numerical information or data. This is a
quantitative research method based study in which numerical information is gathered so as to
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ensure accuracy of the research outcomes. Apart from this, it uses positivism research
philosophy in which the data is understood an objective way and is exclusively derived through
the experience of natural phenomena.
Moreover, deductive research approach is applied in the study as aims to test existing
theory and is more suited as per the nature of study. In addition to this, the approach also works
from general to specific and thus, enable researcher to gather more specific information on the
topic and allow them to draw valid and reliable outcomes of study. Apart from this approaches
and methods, sampling method is also used through which the sample size is collected in the
study. Simple random probability sampling method is utilised so that the participants can be
selected randomly from the overall population. Using all these methodologies help in
performing the study systematically and accomplish the key aim and objectives of research.
1.6 Summary of this chapter
This overall chapter provides a brief summary on what is covered in the entire dissertation
report. Sustainable development in UK housing industry is very important in order to improve
the life quality of the people living in United Kingdom. Sustainable development policy and its
execution in the UK housing industry will help in developing sustainable housing which assist in
reducing the cost, declining the waste, and improving the life quality of people. Properly
formulated in aim and objectives provide direction to the researcher to perform the study
systematically and accomplish the ultimate aim of the research. Performing this study is very
significant as by the assistance of it, analyse the importance of sustainable housing development
along with the implementation of sustainable housing policy in United Kingdom housing
industry. Use of different research methodologies help in performing the study systematically
which further help in accomplishing reliable research outcomes in an effective manner.
CHAPTER 2 – THEORY AND LITERATURE REVIEW (4500)
2.1 Introduction to literature review
Literature review is the second chapter of the research and forms a significant part of the
study. It is the survey of scholarly sources like journal articles, thesis and books associated to the
research topic and administers an overview of current knowledge. It also enables to determine
relevant methods, theories as well as the gaps an existing investigation. When writing literature
review, it involves finding out the relevant publications, critical analysis and explanation of what
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have been found. It involves five steps including searching of literature, evaluation of sources,
determining debates, themes and gaps, outlining structure and writing literature review. A good
review of literature not only summarise the sources, but it analyses, synthesise as well as
critically evaluate to provide a clear picture of knowledge state on the subject. In this chapter, the
views of various authors are compared by reviewing different literatures. In relation to the
specific study based on the aim to analyse the significance of sustainable housing development
and execution of sustainable housing policy in UK housing. The literatures on different themes
involved in the study are reviewed and viewpoints of different authors are presented in the study.
2.2 Housing industry in United Kingdom
As per the data published by Statista Research Department, (2020), the real estate industry
in UK involves operating and renting own or leased real estate, buying and selling of own real
estate and performing real estate activities or actions on a fee or contract basis. In United
Kingdom, there are around 113.2k real estate businesses and their turnover is around 68.3 billion
GBP (Real estate market in the UK - Statistics & Facts, 2020). The housing economy is all about
developing, purchasing, refurbishing as well as letting of property. Selling or buying a house is
costliest transaction that most of the individuals will ever undertake. This process is highly
regulated through government agencies. The mortgages enable individuals to buy houses as well
as repay the loan over long term. The future deal will alter the single market agreement of United
Kingdom with European union. It depicts free movement of goods, services, capital and people.
The growth in prices of house in Whales raised by 2.6% in September 2019, decline from 5% in
August 2019 with average price of house at GBP 164,000. The growth in the size of economy of
United Kingdom in terms of gross domestic product has averaged around 1.3% until quarter 2 in
year 2019. Economic growth in the nation remains modest at 1.2 percent. In United Kingdom,
house price growth has picked up despite consistent political and economic certainty, however
remains far lower than the levels seen prior the European union referendum. The total residential
market value in Wales and England was GBP 251 billion in year 2019. This was declined to 4.7
% from past year as well as it was 9.9 % below than the high level of housing market value. The
residential property sales volumes in United Kingdom have been declined due to brexit
uncertainty since year 2016 (Market Overview of UK Housing Market, 2021). Whereas, the
prices are still increasing on average across the nation, however the growth pace has slowed. The
average prices of house in the nation raised by 1.2 percent in May 2019. The unpredictability
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atmosphere because of brexit decision over the uncertainty and the economy tormenting
International organisations with the United Kingdom arms have discouraged individuals from
making a huge financial commitment entailed in purchase of top end London house. In United
Kingdom, the residential market is fragmented because of low market share concentration level.
The real estate technologies in United Kingdom continued to mature in year 2019 as well as it
consistently to be prominent technology, experimentation zone and innovation funding. Housing
industry of UK is highly competitive and the market experience shortage of houses that has led
to high demand. It has had optimistic influence on big house builders in the nation. Many of
them have reported increase in sales because of healthy demand of new homes. The main players
in house building industry in United Kingdom involves Kier Group plc, London and Quadrant
Housing Trust, Miler Homes, Bellway plc, Berkeley Group, Crest Nicholson PLC and Barratt
developments.
Figure 1: Average House Price in UK, By Country, (Jan. 2019 - Sep. 2019)
(Source: Average House Price in UK, 2021)
As per the above provided chart, the house prices in UK Spurs growth in residential real
estate. In Whales, the house price growth raised by 2.6 % in year to September 2019, decline
from 5% to August 2019, with average price of house at GBP 164000. The average prices of
house in England is raised by 1 percent over the year September 2019, which is up from 0.9% to
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August 2019, with average prices of house in England is GBP 251000. In Scotland, the house
price is raised by 2.4 % in a year to September 2019, 1.6% up in year to august 2019, along with
average prices of house is GBP 155000. In Northern Ireland, the prices of house are rise by 4%
to quarter 3 and was remain the cheapest country of UK to purchase a property (Average House
Price in UK, 2021).
As per the view point of Nataliia Peterheria, (2021), the demand for homes in United
Kingdom is relatively stable which shows that all market reactions to extrinsic circumstances is
delayed in time. By steady digitalization of finance and banking, the time has come for the sector
to become more flexible. In EU, individuals already have hard time for imagining life without
making mobile payments. As per the report published by IFS, it has been found that the wages of
young adults have increased by 22% over the last 20 years, whereas the prices of house have
grown by 52 percent. It shows that average price of house is four times more than millennial's
yearly after-tax income. Brexit anxiety seems to be a consistent destruction source, but uncertain
times are not bad always (The Real Estate Market in the UK is Changing, 2021).
2.3 Concept of sustainable housing development
As per the view point of …, Sustainability can be stated as mitigating the requirements of
today without compromising future generation's need. Sustainable Housing development has a
potential to develop good quality housing at affordable prices both in long term and short term.
Thus, sustainable housing should aim at environmental, economic and social sustainability from
planning to execution phase as well as at the similar time outcome in housing which is
affordable, environmentally less damaging and accessible. The policies developed by the
government intends to promote sustainable development of habitat with a view to make sure
equitable supply of services, shelter and land at affordable prices to all the communities of the
society. There are certain sustainable development characteristics including help for poor as the
left with no option other than destroying the environment; issue of disease control, food security,
clean water, appropriate technologies and shelter for all; self-reliant development idea within
natural resource constraints; notion that individual centred participatory initiatives are required,
human beings are the resources in concept; the idea of cost effective development thereby, that
development must not degrade the quality of environment, nor must it decline productivity in
long run. Housing sector significantly contribute to the sustainability due to its proximal
association with environmental aspects.
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1. Buildings are amenable to various ways in which the recycled materials can be utilised
for construction.
2. Buildings consume huge amount of manmade and natural resources in construction,
maintenance as well as continued utilise by society.
3. Larger number of innovations are available for operating the building efficiently
involving wastewater treatment and use, utilisation of recycled materials in construction,
solar heating, energy efficiency, passive solar heating, developing urban green spaces
close to compact housing.
4. Buildings are one among the fundamental need for good life quality and therefore have
implications beyond housing affecting community, employment, health and transport.
5. Buildings are fixed asset with long operational lifespan.
A sustainable architecture seeks to reduce adverse impact of buildings on environment
through improving efficiency as well as moderation in development space, materials and energy
utilisation. The sustainability idea or ecological design, is to make sure that the decisions and
actions of an individual of today do not harm future generations opportunities. There are three
main elements of sustainable homes including environmental sustainability which means that
houses are developed in such a manner to decline the emissions from greenhouse gas, save
energy and water and decline waste at the time construction and lifetime of house. The second
element is economic sustainability which means the house is developed in such a manner that
saves the money at the time of construction as well as over life time of the houses. Proper and
careful planning avoid requirement for major renovations in future and also reduce cost related to
use of energy, water and maintenance. The third component social sustainability which means
that the houses developed in order to prevent injuries by built-in safety features. This has security
components in order to decline crime as well as enhance the sense of security of occupant.
Features are also utilised to administer comfort and flexibility for individuals of different
abilities and at different stages of life, involving people and children with limited mobility. One
of the aspect of sustainable architecture which is central and often ignored is building placement.
Though, many may envision Ideal office and home environment structure as an isolated place in
mid of woods, such type of placement is often detrimental to environment. This structure
maximize the consumption of energy needed for transportation as well as lead to unnecessary
emissions. Cost effectiveness is also a significant issue in sustainable architecture. Sustainable
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