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Arup launches housing retrofit report

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Charlotte S Charlotte Fernández UKIMEA Press Office,Leeds
6 March 2013

Arup has launched a new report ‘Delivering and funding housing retrofit: a review of community models”.

The report provides best practice and international guidance to central government, local authorities, social housing providers and other organisations who are trying to implement retrofit programmes.

The study, supported by the Institute for Sustainability, is the result of a year-long research project that reviewed over twenty case studies of international delivery and funding models for retrofit.

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The UK has set itself 80% carbon reduction target by 2050. Housing represents 28% of energy usage in the UK so is an essential element in meeting this target. Energy efficiency is also vital in reducing levels of fuel poverty. AgeUK estimates that cold homes end up costing the NHS £1.36bn annually – retrofitting housing isn’t just about meeting targets, it’s about a better, more sustainable quality of life for all. ” Zoe Jankel Report author

The report details eight key findings that will enable decision makers to determine the best approach for any potential retrofit programmes.

Central to those findings, is the case made for the public sector to help subsidise retrofit programmes in the first instance. 

 
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This report provides a clear and useful analysis of what has been implemented both in the UK and internationally and the lessons we can learn from these undertakings, which I hope will contribute significantly to the delivery, not just of sustainable buildings, but also of sustainable neighbourhoods and cities. ” Ian Short Institute for Sustainability

This report is especially relevant for the implementation of the Green Deal, the newly-launched UK government initiative to help achieve housing retrofit at scale.

Download a copy of the report (.pdf, 541KB).