Join the University of Stirling on Tuesday 10 October for the fourth lecture in our Innovation and Excellence series marking the University’s fiftieth year: Innovation & Excellence Lecture: Innovation in Housing – a force for wider benefits?
A quality home is not only a fundamental human right, but crucially underpins our well-being and capacity to live our lives and contribute to society. Throughout history, societies have struggled with the complex challenges of achieving a housing system that fairly meets the needs of all. Today however, we are in the midst of one of the most pressing and complex housing crises ever faced. Housing problems faced across the economic and demographic spectrums have never been more in the news and mass media, nor caused such intergenerational tension. Current pressures affect all phases of the life course, all tenures, and both urban and rural contexts – albeit in differing and complex ways. The housing system can both contribute to, and ameliorate, poverty and inequality – with tensions between ‘winners and losers’ in different market and policy scenarios. Our most vulnerable groups (older households, low income households, disabled people and individuals with complex health and social care needs) have the fewest choices and often experience the poorest outcomes. Yet – a vibrant housing system is needed to sustain employment mobility and economic development. The governance of housing has become increasingly complex as tenure patterns, legal and financial mechanisms, and the profile of stakeholders providing housing and services has evolved. More than just bricks and mortar, the nature of home impacts on identity, community and the basis for well-being, quality of life and contribution to economy and society.
So what’s needed for our future housing system? And how can we best ensure the housing sector unlocks the potential for better economic and social outcomes? In a time of political unrest and uncertainty we must not lose sight of the importance of the housing sector. Our diverse and experienced panel along with key note speaker Richard Jennings of Places for People will present their ideas on housing futures and explore new and innovative ways of ensuring housing underpins wider benefits in health, social care, economic development and sustainability of our communities. Chaired by Professor Isobel Anderson from University of Stirling, our keynote presentation and panellists will prompt a lively Q&A session and debate with our audience.
