Community-based Life Cycle Building Analysis: Tools to Support Democratic Estate Regeneration

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.