Division of Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment
Institute for Sustainable Systems and Technologies
Institute for Sustainable Systems and Technologies
Researchers
are conducting a ground-breaking study that could shape the future of
affordable and sustainable housing throughout Australia.
“With South Australia’s population growing, pressure will continue to
build on the housing market over the foreseeable future, so we need some
innovative solutions to the problems this increased demand will create,”
Dr Steve Pullen, Senior Lecturer at UniSA’s Institute for Sustainable
Systems and Technologies said.
“Sustainability has become a byword for environmental considerations,
but we’re looking at sustainability in a much broader scope for this
study, including financial and cultural factors.
“We need to strike a balance between making housing affordable, for both
renters and first time buyers, while providing solutions to problems
like access to transport, lifespan of buildings, how they fit in to
existing communities and the types of materials used in their
construction.
“High rise flats built in the 1960s and 70s are a great example of
housing that might have provided an affordable solution, but was starkly
at odds with the cultural, environmental and long-term social needs of
the community.
“That’s just one of the lessons from around the globe that we’ll be
incorporating into this study, others include the work that’s being done
in the UK and elsewhere at the moment in providing medium density
housing that’s affordable, harmonious with existing developments and
with good access to transport hubs and the like,” Dr Pullen said.
“We’ll also be looking at innovative solutions like factory-based
housing manufacture and finding ways of making developments
environmentally friendly without the traditionally high price tag.”
Jointly funded by Department for Families and Communities, through
Housing SA’s Affordable Housing Innovations Fund and the Hindmarsh Group
of Companies, the study, known as Ecocents Living, is the first of its
kind in South Australia to focus on market-driven solutions to
sustainable housing.
“Sustainable housing is something that will become very significant for
private enterprise in the near future and Hindmarsh is very keen to see
what the best market-based solutions will be here in South Australia and
beyond,” Morry Canala, Development Manager Hindmarsh said.
“That’s why we’re pleased to be working with the team at UniSA on this
incredibly important project, it’s an investment in the future of South
Australia’s affordable housing as well as our extensive knowledge base.”
The study is scheduled for completion in September.
