Building sustainable communities

Thriving and sustainable communities result from an intricate mix of social, economic and environmental factors that vary from place to place.

The problem: You are involved in housing, building development or regeneration and recognise some of the factors that make a successful community but need to understand the wider issues. Planning demands are growing, competition is fierce, fuel poverty must be tackled and costs contained.

The solution: Services designed to help you get to grips with the practical elements of sustainable communities. From low impact buildings to green spaces, through to enterprise, amenities, security and local produce, the options below help to tackle the priorities. They include:

• Assessment of plans, proposals and existing communities
• Action plans for change
• Facilitating and supporting community groups
• Code for Sustainable Homes and wider BREEAM advice*
• Climate change and renewable energy services
• Support for new or existing projects
• Detailed investigation of key topics (e.g. waste management)

The benefit: Truly sustainable communities home people that are active, happy and safe. They have low crime rates, stable house prices, low turnover mixed tenure housing, support thriving local businesses and are resilient to change. In addition pollution is low, fuel poverty has been eradicated, health is good, services are local and individuals and organisations are actively involved in governance and decision making.

Case studies:

• Social housing central to a sustainable community 

*Sustainable Change Co-operative is a registered BRE Code for Sustainable Homes assessment organisation