Embedding green infrastructure evaluation in neighbourhood masterplans – does BREEAM communities change anything?

Abstract

Green Infrastructure (GI) evaluation is reported to improve the sustainability of neighbourhood masterplans, but there has been little research examining the links between GI evaluation and masterplan decision-making. A study of six English masterplanned sites was carried out, with paired case studies reflecting three types of neighbourhood development (estate regeneration, urban infill, and rural-urban extension) to examine whether the sustainable neighbourhood standard, BREEAM Communities (BC), affected GI evaluation and masterplan decisions. In each of three pairs, one site had adopted BC and one had not. Strategy-as-Practice provided a conceptual framework to analyse 13 evaluative episodes, based on 48 interviews and public documents. The analysis revealed that GI-related recommendations were typically deprioritised at later masterplan stages, despite earlier decisions or the application of BC. Potential ways to enhance the embeddedness of GI evaluative practice include improving practitioners' understanding of GI and increasing accountability at later masterplan stages, such as through sustainability reporting.

Measuring the Initial Social Sustainability Impacts of Estate Regeneration: A Case Study of Acton Gardens, London

“…Although the case study is UK-based it also carries resonance at an international level in the context of the restructuring of large housing estates, especially in Europe [30], and for the development of other conceptual frameworks for social sustainability in housing in other countries [5,7,[13][14][15]19,20]. The assessment framework used, however, is an ex post ("downstream") measure for new housing and its social sustainability impacts, and so it should be distinguished from other academic research in the field, and ex ante ("upstream") assessment frameworks (such as BREEAM Communities) [13,21].…”

“…There has also been a focus on developing a range of "ex ante" assessment tools to measure neighbourhood social sustainability before development has begun (for example, BREEAM Communities) [13,21], but little or no research on measuring social sustainability in new housing projects after construction has begun, or been completed (i.e., "ex post" or "downstream") [8,13].…”

Understanding the Role of Standards in the Negotiation of a Healthy Built Environment

“…There has been some research reviewing both the substantive content and implementation of sustainability standards [ 24 , 25 ]. There has been less examination of HBE standards which have come into the market more recently.…”

“…The learning that participants experience through appraisal serving to further shape negotiation of intentions. Such appraisal and learning can affect whether participants engage in static (business as usual), regressive (opposing), or progressive (supporting) responses to standards [ 24 ].…”

“…The unintended consequences of disconnected standard intentions include the trade-offs resulting from gentrification [ 16 , 46 ]. For example, standards that promote green infrastructure may improve a local green space, but also increase real estate prices and displace people on lower incomes, so-called ‘environmental gentrification’ [ 24 , 47 ].…”