The National Retrofit Hub (NRH) have released a new report examining the future of retrofit
The report argues that a standard model will not be equally effective in retrofit, and so the case-by-case nature of place-based retrofit should be the way forward.
Place-based retrofit utilises local knowledge and makes projects more tailored to specific locations.
There are four key principles for place-based retrofit
According to the report, the four guiding principles are:
1. Collective governance & partnership working:
Place-based partnerships should fairly redistribute decision-making. Equitable governance of retrofit can be achieved through partnerships which enable decision-making to be shaped by a diverse range of actors. It should disrupt models based soley on either top-down or bottom-up working. Instead, ensuring decisions are made as locally as possible and supported where needed. This includes prioritising activities which encourage network building – connecting different actors across differing degrees of authority, agency and influence. This could include collaboration across:
- Organisations working at different scales, such as local, regional, national actors
- Differing levels of authority, such as public, industry or civic-led organisations
- Different sectors, including housing and public health.
2. Collaboration, involvement & participation:
Collaborators, not recipients: co-design should form an important part of a place-based approach. Place-based approaches should enable citizens and stakeholders to work together. Collaboration recognises that homes and neighbourhoods are created, maintained, repaired, and retrofitted through the cooperation of many. Bringing everyone along as partners and collaborators should amplify opportunities to identify value beyond solely market-driven interests or energy efficiency targets.
3. Place-based knowledge & experience:
Evidence grounded in place: place-based retrofit should integrate knowledge gained through lived experience of a place with technical and specialist insights. Emphasis on participation throughout should enable practitioners to learn from and use knowledge and expertise18 gained through citizens’ and stakeholders’ lived experience of a place, as well as technical and specialist knowledge. Each stakeholder’s perspective is shaped by their context and experience. Combining these different perspectives will strengthen decision-making.
4. Mutual & reciprocal relationships:
Designed for reciprocity: place-based approaches should steward relationships built on trust – giving back to eachother rather than just taking from. By stewarding these relationships between actors and integrating social infrastructure – place-based approaches can support people to act reciprocally. This recognises the strengths of existing relational ties between citizens, communities, stakeholders and places themselves. It is about embedding trust, and care within an approach which doesn’t over extract from communities or the environment.
The report can be read in full here.
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