London Build Expo

Kelsey and I attended London Build Expo on Thursday and aside from the excellent NAWIC Networking event, one particular talk stood out for me. How do we address the future outlook for housing in the UK?

The main topic in question – social impact. The importance of shifting from building houses to creating homes and communities; a necessary focus for housebuilders to help tackle the housing crisis. Discussed was the importance of MMC, cost reduction, design engineering and Net Zero, but the real commitment to addressing the crisis is understanding the social impact; ensuring the infrastructure supports the needs of both existing residents in the locality and potential new communities; not just providing a box to live in.

Ditch the ‘cookie cutter’ approach. Unit counts hit targets but who wants to live in a lego house? Put amenities first, plan for the parks, the child friendly zones, the green spaces, the local shops, the doctors’ surgeries, the community centres.
Understand what generates value in specific localities. A one size fits all approach is officially over. Every community is different, and densification and development plans need to reflect this – a site specific, place based response.
Occasionally, promising developments stall because developers and communities clash. Work with local government, parish councils, communities and residents in essential partnership. Identifying crucial social requirements early is an excellent way to accelerate projects, planning, and ensuring the living environment is viable and attractive for existing and new residents.
For existing estates, regeneration isn’t about demolishing and rebuilding, its about fixing areas of the community. Collaboration here is vital; involve current residents in plans to improve current areas, understand their needs and requirements whether crime reduction, increasing footfall, creating better areas for young people or employment opportunities. Making these areas attractive to existing and new residents paves way for development plans.
Integrate new developments into surrounding areas reducing segregation between new and old. Create public space for both to nurture relationships between two communities.
Understand that providing an abundance of non-revenue generating community amenities may be less viable in high density housing areas due to land constraints and cost; but cost reduction must be achieved through strategic, smart design and cost engineering, without sacrificing quality or the provision of essential community infrastructure.

The future of UK housing isn’t just about hitting volume targets. It’s about understanding the difference between demand and need, designing solutions with cost, quality and safety in mind improving the social fabric of towns and cities; site viability is both a financial and social equation.

Following this, we attended the UK’s largest networking even for Women in Construction where chartered QS Faye Allen kicked off the event introducing her book ‘Building Women’. Faye’s book is based on research and firsthand accounts from over 1000 women in the construction sector. It outlines the systemic challenges women face and offers solutions for both men and women alike to create more inclusive and supportive work environments for everyone.

It outlines how women currently represent 15% of the construction workforce with around only 2% working on site; highlighting the need to address the skills shortage by failing to retain or recruit women.

Listening to Faye read extracts from her book was not only moving but inspiring with the running theme that supporting women in construction builds fairer, stronger systems leading to career progression, talent retention and a more resilient future proof industry for not just women, but for all.

There is something really empowering about being stood in a room full of women (and men!) sharing first hand insights, experiences, challenges and successes.

Roxanne Newton & Kelsey Worsdell