Building Back Better: Social impact

Revision as of 17:28, 10 December 2020

Introduction

In its work to provide resources for the construction sector, BREEAM has created the online briefing hub, ‘Building Back Better with BREEAM: Supporting the green recovery’. The hub gathers a collection of briefing papers that reflect BREEAM’s position on important issues.

Social impact

The BREEAM vision for a fair and appropriate built environment is one that demonstrates social sensitivity in a manner that intentionally benefits the long-term economic growth, wellbeing, resilience and inclusion of people within their communities. To reflect this vision, BREEAM has published a briefing paper, 'Encouraging positive social impact and equity using BREEAM'.

The paper outlines a vision for a socially equitable built environment based on the following practices:

• Encouraging social impacts and equity as key considerations at each life cycle stage.
• Driving the delivery of positive social impacts and value as an output from the development and operation of built assets.
• Contributing to and encouraging innovation in the assessment and measurement of built environment related social impacts.
• Rewarding built assets that generate positive social impact and value.
• Incentivising the development and operation of socially equitable places.

Seven aspects of social value

The BREEAM standard can be applied to seven different aspects:

1. Health and wellbeing of asset users and local communities. A built environment that ensures physical, social, intellectual and emotional wellness.
2. Behaviour change and awareness raising. Solutions that encourage people to make the most sustainable choice.
3. Accessibility and inclusivity. Design and operations that make environments usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible without the need for adaptation or specialised design
4. Resilience, safety and security. Promoting practices that mitigate risks, successfully endure shocks and identify opportunities to adapt and thrive in our changing world.
5. Asset user and community involvement and engagement. Activities that promote active participation and involvement of built environment asset users and stakeholders in decision making processes
6. Local investment. Supporting investment in local businesses and supply chains, providing training to and upskilling of the local community and offering long-term employment opportunities to local people.
7. Social justice and responsible leadership. Ensuring the needs of communities are fairly met with equity, diversity and inclusion at the heart of the project, and that human exploitation is eradicated.

Looking ahead

BREEAM intends to continue its work in this area by collaborating with global stakeholders to create a universal understanding of social impact - regardless of geographic and cultural differences. This will include language and guidance for successful delivery, adoption and results.

Find out more at: https://files.bregroup.com/breeam/briefingpapers/BREEAM-Social-Impact-Paper_final.pdf

--BRE Group

Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
• BREEAM: The Next Generation.
• Building Back Better: Net zero carbon and BREEAM.
• Building Back Better: Resilience.
• Building back better with BREEAM.
• Built environment.
• Changing lifestyles in the built environment.
• Collaborative practices for building design and construction.
• Health in the built environment.
• Inclusive design.
• Social Sustainability at Master-planning Stage.
• Sustainability in building design and construction.

External resources

• BREEAM, Encouraging positive social impact and equity using BREEAM.
• BREEAM, Encouraging resilient assets using BREEAM.
• BRE Group, Building Back Better.
• BRE Group, Net Zero Carbon and BREEAM.