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What if there were a moratorium on new housebuilding? An exploratory study with London-based housing associations

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  • Pagani, Anna
  • Macmillan, Alex
  • Savini, Federico
  • Davies, Michael
  • Zimmermann, Nici

Abstract

The shortage of social housing is a crucial element of the UK housing crisis. In England, social housing provision significantly relies on market homes construction, with detrimental impacts on residents and the environment. Moratoria are often cited in the degrowth literature as policy tools to break free from growth-driven mechanisms and achieve high levels of well-being while reducing environmental pressures. However, the systemic effects of such a policy on housing and its potential drawbacks are at present understudied. This study explores the extent to which a moratorium on new housebuilding would be effective, desirable, and feasible; for this purpose, it focuses on its impact on the provision of social homes. We used causal loop diagrams (CLDs) to formulate dynamic hypotheses on the effects of a moratorium on the structures underpinning the construction and demolition of social housing estates. In a workshop with four London-based housing associations, we discussed perceived obstacles or opportunities to its uptake. Our CLDs suggest that a moratorium could help to address the growth-dependent mechanisms of social housing provision, with systemic benefits for both tenants and housing associations. However, the workshop revealed that its adoption would depend on whether the maintenance, repair, and retrofit of the existing stock could offset the perceived advantages of new construction (e.g., quality, quantity, adequacy). Through the use of systems thinking tools, our findings support dialogue around alternatives to the growth-dependent paradigm undermining housing provision within planetary boundaries.

Suggested Citation

  • Pagani, Anna & Macmillan, Alex & Savini, Federico & Davies, Michael & Zimmermann, Nici, 2024. "What if there were a moratorium on new housebuilding? An exploratory study with London-based housing associations," SocArXiv f6suj, Center for Open Science.
  • Handle: RePEc:osf:socarx:f6suj
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/f6suj
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ryan-Collins, Josh & Lloyd, Toby & Macfarlane, Laurie, 2017. "Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, number 9781786991195, Febrero.
    2. Sterman, J.D., 2006. "Learning from evidence in a complex world," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(3), pages 505-514.
    3. Paul Watt & Anna Minton, 2016. "London's housing crisis and its activisms," City, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(2), pages 204-221, April.
    4. zu Ermgassen, Sophus & Drewniok, Michal & Bull, Joseph & Walker, Christine Corlet & Mancini, Mattia & Ryan-Collins, Josh & Serrenho, André Cabrera, 2022. "A home for all within planetary boundaries: pathways for meeting England’s housing needs without transgressing national climate and biodiversity goals," OSF Preprints 5kxce, Center for Open Science.
    5. zu Ermgassen, Sophus O.S.E. & Drewniok, Michal P. & Bull, Joseph W. & Corlet Walker, Christine M. & Mancini, Mattia & Ryan-Collins, Josh & Cabrera Serrenho, André, 2022. "A home for all within planetary boundaries: Pathways for meeting England's housing needs without transgressing national climate and biodiversity goals," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
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