New research highlights pathways to high-quality housing in disadvantaged communities

The research, which presents twenty real-world success stories, identifies ten key strategies that can transform struggling housing markets, ensuring that quality homes and vibrant communities are created even in challenging locations.

While many disadvantaged areas suffer from substandard housing developments, the study underscores that this does not have to be the case. The examples showcased in the report highlight how a combination of public, private, and third-sector collaboration can lead to housing projects that are not only architecturally innovative but also economically and socially beneficial.

The research highlights that in many disadvantaged areas, low land values lead to lower investment in design, construction, and infrastructure, resulting in housing developments that fail to meet quality standards. The absence of proactive public sector involvement exacerbates this issue, leading to a reliance on standard market products that prioritize cost-cutting over community well-being. This study, however, challenges the status quo by illustrating how different approaches can break this cycle.
 

Professor Matthew Carmona, Research Lead said: “While disadvantaged communities routinely put up with poorly designed housing development, it is not a given. This study demonstrates that if the will is there, we can routinely deliver well designed new housing developments in even the most challenging locations. So what are we waiting for?”

The research was conducted by The Place Alliance at UCL, supported by Civic Voice, the Town & Country Planning Association, and the Urban Design Group and identifies ten key strategies that have been successfully implemented to enhance housing quality in deprived areas, including Architectural Innovation and Entrepreneurial Public Partnerships.

The study outlines essential lessons that policymakers, developers, and planners can adopt, including:
• Prioritizing high-quality urban design elements such as connectivity, density, and green public spaces.
• Encouraging adaptable standardization to ensure housing meets local needs.
• Strengthening collaborative leadership among public and private stakeholders.
• Establishing dedicated delivery vehicles to oversee long-term projects.
• Fostering community engagement to ensure developments align with local aspirations.
• Challenging outdated planning and highway standards that hinder sustainable development.

This study demonstrates how strategic housing design can drive economic and social renewal in underserved communities, offering a blueprint for transformative urban development across England.


For further details and to access the full report, visit https://placealliance.org.uk and to watch the launch visit here.