Nov 18 2008
A recent BRE Trust report, compiled by the College of Estate Management sets out the pros and cons of refurbishing housing in run-down urban areas, compared to wholesale demolition and rebuilding. The report, entitled ‘Knock it down or do it up?' identifies refurbishment as the more sustainable option. This is despite some developers and their advisers seeing more drawbacks than incentives to housing refurbishment over demolition and new build.
The housing industry has often favoured new build projects but rising energy costs are making refurbishment projects an increasingly attractive option. Refurbishment is viewed as more risky and costly than new build, though the benefits of heritage conservation, community retention and higher resale values are acknowledged.
The report is based on a review of published literature and research relating to construction and refurbishment of housing, and a national survey of house builders, quantity surveyors, development surveyors and architects. The survey assessed attitudes and perceptions towards sustainable construction, modern methods of construction, existing standards of sustainability, and the use of sustainability assessment tool kits.
The dilemma of whether it is better to ‘knock it down' or ‘do it up' has re-emerged in the housing market renewal or pathfinder areas that were established as part of the Sustainable Communities Plan, and so the report focuses on government policy as expressed in the Plan.
"Whichever approach proves most beneficial for a particular area, the over-riding objective, for both public and private sectors, must be to achieve healthy, active and thriving communities which are sustainable in the long term", says Ann Heywood, Principal of The College of Estate Management, in her foreword to the report.
On 2 December, BRE Trust is holding a free seminar at BRE Watford to introduce the report, with presentations from report authors Frances Plimmer and Gaye Pottinger of The College of Estate Management, Michael Gahagan, South Yorkshire Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder, Andy Rowland, London & Quadrant Housing Trust and Ian Robinson, Chief Executive, Affordable Housing Development Company. The event will be chaired by Paul Batho, Director of Studies, College of Estate Management. Details are at www.bre.co.uk/eventdetails.jsp?id=2325
The 72-page report ‘Knock it down or do it up?' priced at £50 (plus post and packing) can be purchased from www.ihsbrepress.com.