WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE TELLING US?

Andrew Drury

HATC Involvement

• 1998– Guide to Standards & Quality (National Housing

Federation)• Parker Morris & Design Bulletin 6: functional approach• Karn & Sheridan, 1994

– Housing Quality Indicators (HQIs)– Housing Corporation requirement– Successfully maintained space standards in Grant-

supported sector• (ish)

More Recently• Redrow etc 25m² flats

• Response to simple demand / supply pressures by producers whose only interest (legitimately) is the initial sale, not the long-term use or value of the product

• Concerns over longer term sustainability– Demolition or remodelling in 20 years is financially and environmentally

wasteful– “throwaway housing”

• 2005/6– Housing Space Standards (Greater London Authority)

• No further research available• Some attempt to look at effects of overcrowding, but not “cramping”

Research Gap

• We don’t know how much space households need to be able to live, work, socialise, avoid one another, move around, do the chores etc.

• We don’t know what the housebuilding industry is providing.

Research Required

• How much space is needed in the 21st century home?– i.e. update Parker Morris from the 1960s to

now / the near future

• What is being provided?– i.e. update Karn & Sheridan

If there is a mis-match, action is

needed.

If not, the market is working well.

Is there a Problem?

• HATC commissioned by EP / CABE

• Survey residents satisfaction with space standards in recently (last 5 years) developed private homes

• Ipsos-MORI

• Reporting by the end of April 2008