Community-based Life Cycle Building Analysis: Tools to Support Democratic Estate Regeneration
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Department Name: Bartlett Sch of Env, Energy & Resources
Abstract
A Participatory Life Cycle Sustainability Analysis framework for the Appraisal of Estates' Regeneration Schemes: Case Study of a London Estate
Abstract - Within the context of the regeneration of housing estates in recent years, there has been an increase in focusing on environmental impacts of the regeneration schemes. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the methodology used to evaluate the environmental impacts of the schemes. The methodological and practical limitations of undertaking LCA can result in contrasting outcomes of the studies. In addition, to enable sustainable growth the assessment and analysis of the regeneration schemes should consider their socio-economic as well as their environmental impacts. The methodology which includes the three sustainable development pillars is called Life Cycle sustainability Assessment (LCSA). In order to reflect the priorities of an array of stakeholders in options' appraisal, different stakeholders should be engaged in different stages of decision analysis.
This research study aims to answer the question "How can integrating a participatory approach to assessment and analysis of buildings' lifecycle sustainability impact the appraisal of London estates' regeneration schemes?". To do so, this study will be employing deductive and inductive approaches on a complex mixed methods design, intersecting the core designs within different methodologies and theoretical frameworks for the assessment and analysis of LCSA, and for the evaluation of the identified frameworks. The study will attempt to identify: a framework for conducting a consensus participatory LCSA for estates' regeneration schemes; a framework for the analysis of multi-stakeholder LCSA for estates' regeneration schemes; a model for evaluating the noble theoretical and practical frameworks identified for the appraisal of London estates' regeneration schemes. The complex mixed methods research design consists of a pilot study and a case study project. Data collection for the empirical intersected mixed methods design is through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and co-design workshops with key stakeholders of the schemes. The collaborative frameworks are expected to assist in developing a consensus framework for the assessment, analysis, and evaluation of the proposed methodology. The study aims to apply its findings to be implemented for decision-making over the regeneration of housing estates in the UK.
Abstract - Within the context of the regeneration of housing estates in recent years, there has been an increase in focusing on environmental impacts of the regeneration schemes. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the methodology used to evaluate the environmental impacts of the schemes. The methodological and practical limitations of undertaking LCA can result in contrasting outcomes of the studies. In addition, to enable sustainable growth the assessment and analysis of the regeneration schemes should consider their socio-economic as well as their environmental impacts. The methodology which includes the three sustainable development pillars is called Life Cycle sustainability Assessment (LCSA). In order to reflect the priorities of an array of stakeholders in options' appraisal, different stakeholders should be engaged in different stages of decision analysis.
This research study aims to answer the question "How can integrating a participatory approach to assessment and analysis of buildings' lifecycle sustainability impact the appraisal of London estates' regeneration schemes?". To do so, this study will be employing deductive and inductive approaches on a complex mixed methods design, intersecting the core designs within different methodologies and theoretical frameworks for the assessment and analysis of LCSA, and for the evaluation of the identified frameworks. The study will attempt to identify: a framework for conducting a consensus participatory LCSA for estates' regeneration schemes; a framework for the analysis of multi-stakeholder LCSA for estates' regeneration schemes; a model for evaluating the noble theoretical and practical frameworks identified for the appraisal of London estates' regeneration schemes. The complex mixed methods research design consists of a pilot study and a case study project. Data collection for the empirical intersected mixed methods design is through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and co-design workshops with key stakeholders of the schemes. The collaborative frameworks are expected to assist in developing a consensus framework for the assessment, analysis, and evaluation of the proposed methodology. The study aims to apply its findings to be implemented for decision-making over the regeneration of housing estates in the UK.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Sahar Navabakhsh (Student) |
Publications
Nava S
(2023)
A Multistakeholder Participatory Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment Framework for the Options Appraisal of Social Housing Regeneration Schemes
in Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management
Nava S.
(2023)
A Community-based Whole Life Carbon Assessment: Case study of a London estate community plan
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509577/1 | 30/09/2016 | 24/03/2022 | |||
| 2421532 | Studentship | EP/N509577/1 | 30/09/2020 | 09/12/2024 | Sahar Navabakhsh |
| EP/T517793/1 | 30/09/2020 | 29/09/2025 | |||
| 2421532 | Studentship | EP/T517793/1 | 30/09/2020 | 09/12/2024 | Sahar Navabakhsh |
| Description | We have identified the priorities of different stakeholder groups and have identified a framework for a holistic participatory life cycle sustainability assessment for use on decision-making on estate regeneration schemes. We have then explored the barriers to letting such a framework come into policy. The barriers are mainly around the varied priorities of different stakeholder groups and lack of clear legislation for how to engage with different stakeholders and how to meet the needs of different stakeholder groups. |
| Exploitation Route | The findings of this research and the proposed framework can be adopted for use in assessing different building projects and regeneration schemes. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Construction Environment Government Democracy and Justice |
| Description | Some of the findings of this research have been used for a campaign for a regeneration scheme of an estate in London which previously had received an approval for demolition and redevelopment. The scheme is now under further study. |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Construction,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal Policy & public services |
| Description | Potential use of the proposed framework at local level for the appraisal of estate regeneration schemes |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Proposal for a list of Meta-Criteria to be used instead of the current non-consistent criteria of sustainability assessment and certification schemes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Title | Multi-stakeholder Participatory LCSA framework |
| Description | The framework allows for collaboration of different stakeholders in all the stages of building LCA and LCSA for goal and scope definition, scenario development and data inventory, assessment, and analysis/interpretation stages. The proposed framework mixed simple MCDA methods with LCSA to allow for a democratic approach to the appraisal of estate regeneration schemes using the proposed method. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | One of the feedbacks that has been received from different stakeholders of housing estate regeneration projects (the industry, community, and policy makers), is the lack of a tool or guidelines for conducting a community-based/multistakeholder building LCSA. The proposed framework can be implemented to the decision-making procedures on options appraisal of schemes at any stage of the project by transparently including the priorities of different stakeholders in the assessment criteria. |
| Title | Using the qualitative and quantitative data collected from different stakeholders in determining the assessment criteria for a community-based LCSA |
| Description | Our framework proposes a method for interpreting the collected qualitative and quantitative data from different stakeholders of the studies and converting them to assessment criteria to be used on the LCA/LCSA studies. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | One of the most notable and immediate impacts has been the reported impact of having the knowledge mobility session on the participants' life choices in relation to sustainability. In an evaluation survey, a great majority of the participants had reported that engaging in the workshops would impact their lifestyle choices. |
| Description | Collaboration with UCL Research Team on a Community Plan for Alton Estate People Plan - Project: Co-designing neighbourhoods with communities in a blended environment: digital and face-to-face knowledge exchange |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Setting up sustainability-related workshops with the community and the researchers to develop a community-based Life Cycle Assessment and Analysis. |
| Collaborator Contribution | - knowledge mobility and knowledge exchange with the community of Alton Estate and the UCL staff - selection of low-carbon materials for the proposal by the community - conducting an LCA for the proposal with different regeneration scenarios and material options |
| Impact | - understanding the perception of the community of their priorities over the regeneration of housing estates - understanding the communities' priorities in relation to LCA and means of collaboration and participation - proposing a community-based LCA framework to be used for the participatory practice of LCA with different stakeholders |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Collaboration with the community of Alton Estate and Alton Action group on building LCA study and framework |
| Organisation | Alton Estate Community |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | - conducting surveys, interviews, and workshops with the participants on their environmental and socioeconomic priorities over regeneration of their estate - discussing the embodied and operational impact of different scenarios - conducting thermal surveys to understand the operational performance of the existing buildings - conducting a full community-based LCA |
| Collaborator Contribution | - engaging in surveys, interviews, and workshops - provision of utility bills - arrangement for thermal imaging of one of the case study flats |
| Impact | - extracting the impact criteria for community-based Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) through in-depth analysis of surveys, interviews, and workshops; statistical analysis; and ethnographic observations - understanding the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of different regeneration scenarios through research methods and LCA - proposing a list of meta-criteria to be used for community-based LCSA in the context of regeneration schemes - proposing a framework for multi-stakeholder LCSA in the context of regeneration schemes - discussion with the council on using the framework for the appraisal of housing estates - discussions with different practices on using the framework for the multi-stakeholder appraisal of housing estate projects |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Title | Integrated participatory framework for a community-based LCA |
| Description | The framework which integrates simple MCDA techniques to LCA/LCSA to be used in the context of estate regeneration, can be adapted and integrated into different LCA and sustainability assessment products for the aggregation and analysis of the assessment results. |
| Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | Once the tool is made available to the public, the users will be able to hotspot the areas from the LCA that has had the most impact on the aggregated results. The users will also be able to identify the perception of other stakeholders. The framework mainly allows a consensus decision-making. |
| Description | Engagement with the communities and different stakeholders of estate regeneration schemes (such as residents, action groups, architects, engineers, and the policy makers) in London |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | - Different communities of estates have been approaches to discuss the case study. For the case study of Alton Estate, through Alton Action, about 47 households took part in the surveys; about 30 participants engaged in the co-design workshops; collaboration still continues in a lower participation rate - Different stakeholders of estate regeneration schemes have been contacted. Data has been collected on suitability of case studies, feedback on the proposed framework, feedback on current participatory practices and LCA/LCSA - Policy-makers have been approached for incorporating the framework and the findings of the studies in their decision-making - interviews have been held with LAs and GLA - A multistakeholder survey has been conducted in which over 60 participants took part. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021,2022,2023,2024 |