Build it and they will come? - A case study of a ‘softer landings’ approach in creating a low-carbon community

Abstract

This paper explores an emerging low-carbon construction business model through a case study of a low-carbon community supported by a private Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) in Lincolnshire. The study highlights the developer's extended aftercare and on-site support that has a focus on engaging residents in behaviour change and low-carbon community building (termed the ‘softer landings' approach¹). The research employs a mixed method approach, with multiple sources of data from in-depth interviews, a focus group discussion, and questionnaire surveys, as well as energy consumption data from Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) on four projects over two development sites completed between 2016 and 2019. The findings suggest that extended aftercare and on-site support from the developer could cultivate a self-supporting low-carbon community that promotes peer learning and support, behaviour change, decreases energy consumption and leads to user satisfaction. The research proposes a model where the positive outcomes of the ‘softer landings approach’ could in turn drive the demand-side market for low-carbon dwellings, create further business opportunities for the developer, mitigate capital cost and resources invested in the extended aftercare, and generate business growth. Recommendations for this model to be replicated and upscaled through professional networks, and supported through policy and regulatory frameworks in the UK are presented as a constructive way forward in order to achieve the government's decarbonisation goals.