Urban Development Institute of Australia
Western Australia Division Incorporated
Western Australia Division Incorporated
Affordability
Consumer:
Promotion of initiatives that provide economic benefits at both their establishment and during their life cycle whilst meeting expected functionality and design
More details/ possibilities:
More details/ possibilities:
- Material reductions in ongoing housing expenses (i.e. reduced energy costs)
- Wider availability and improved marketing of cost-effective tools to promote and facilitate sustainable behaviour (e.g. photovoltaics, insulation, rain water tanks)
- Policies and strategies that educate consumers about cost saving initiatives, as well as the availability of government grants. Focus on improved awareness of the long-term cost-saving benefits and payback periods for household sustainable technologies/retrofits
- Improved public education regarding the impact of locational differences (access to jobs, services, amenities and transit) on ‘lifestyle affordability' (such as ongoing transport costs)
- Strategies that promote long term affordable living benefits
Infrastructure:
Innovations in infrastructure design and use that reduce lifecycle costs while achieving necessary performance targets
More details/ possibilities:
More details/ possibilities:
- More resilient materials used in infrastructure projects that reduce lifecycle costs
- Installation of systems at precinct level or individual lot level that reduce ongoing costs of infrastructure including energy, telecommunications, water and waste
- Recycling of materials to reduce lifecycle costs
- Efficient supply of non-potable water
- Low cost provision of sufficient, affordable infrastructure
Urban Planning:
Urban planning that provides a measurable net economic benefit for stakeholders relative to business as usual
More details/ possibilities:
More details/ possibilities:
- Housing opportunities that reduce the joint rent/ mortgage/ transport cost burden
- Greater media coverage and acknowledgement within government policy of the joint need for increased ‘lifestyle affordability’ (the ongoing cost burden associated with living in a certain community/ location/ dwelling type) as well as traditional ‘housing affordability’ measures (the cost of housing itself)
- Policies and strategies that abet transit oriented development
- Localising of opportunities for employment, community activities, recreation and retail
Building Design:
Examples of building design elements that offer economic, environmental or socio-political benefit while being cost effective at establishment and over their lifecycle, relative to business as usual
More details/ possibilities:
More details/ possibilities:
- More resilient materials used in building design that reduce lifecycle costs
- Recycling of materials to reduce lifecycle costs
- Adaptable and reuse initiatives (i.e. mixed use building designs)
- Better training for project home salespeople and greater focus on display homes as a means of educating potential buyers on the long-term cost-saving benefits of sustainable fit-outs
- Greater investment in researching and developing affordable housing typologies, such as low-rise medium density housing
- Promotion of modular construction initiatives
Associated Case Studies:
