An Investigation into the Sustainable and Technological Developments within Domestic Housing in the United Kingdom

Abstract

The topic of this dissertation focuses upon sustainable and technological developments within Domestic Housing in the United Kingdom (UK) from the perspective of the Construction Industry. The study of this subject is centred around understanding the influences and trends that have shaped the evolution of the domestic housing sector.
The main aim of this dissertation will be accomplished initially by identifying the significance Sustainable and Technological developments within Domestic Housing in the UK and investigating and collating impacting factors surrounding these developments. The study will then progress into examining the barriers that have impeded the progression of Sustainable and Technological developments which will allow for recommendations for the technologies that will be relevant for the UK’s progression the in twenty first century.
As a result of this study the research established shifts in aspirations of society which reflected in the potential vulnerabilities going forward with education as a whole within the industry. The research uncovered gaps in education into the understanding and practical application of energy efficient technologies and it became apparent there was a need to bridge the gap between practice and research in the profession.
As part of the methodology semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather the evidence and form an understanding for further research. Interviews were performed in a style that would prompt debate and provoke more open discussion so as to understand the subsectors views and an understanding of the Construction Industry as a whole. An increasing number of interdependent sub sectors are using new innovative technological processes and systems, and for the purposes of the objectives there should form an understanding if these were contributing to the transformation of the Construction Industry.
When investigating and the impacting factors it became apparent that Sustainable developments have become an overarching governmental ambition and each of the factors influencing Construction are underpinned by the theme of Sustainability and Technology.