Weighing up the social value of buildings

Released by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) in partnership with international design practice Hassell, a new discussion paper explores the social case for buildings.  

The financial and climate case for our edifices has long been reasonably understood, but the social value of buildings has been subject to less exploration and analysis. The paper presents the latest in industry understanding and acts as a catalyst for creating a universal framework.

“We know how to make the financial case stack up and are also now valuing the climate-related impacts of our buildings,” says GBCA CEO Davina Rooney. “But the social benefit from the built environment is less well measured.”

Framework: assembly required

It’s true that considerable work has been done regarding the development, delivery, and measurement of social value within Australia and internationally.

But even though several property companies are experimenting with social value on projects across the country, there is no consistent way to measure the outcomes.

“Property companies are using a mishmash of methodologies, which is admirable, but also expensive,” Rooney says. “It’s contributing to a tangle of misaligned, exclusive tools used by just a few organisations. If we continue on this path, we risk leaving people and communities behind.”

The GBCA says a universal framework would create a shared language to communicate the value of good design, replicate lessons learnt, and hold the industry accountable to the long-term impacts of its developments. 

Part of the reason for releasing the discussion is to find a universal way of measuring areas such as equity, social cohesion, cultural value, improved health, education, strengthened supply chains, increased employment, reduced carbon emissions, and positive impacts on nature through the delivery of assets.

The lessons learnt so far

The data from previous work to measure social value in Australia has highlighted the significant returns available. Below are three examples which are included in the discussion paper.

“There are huge benefits to be gained in getting it right,” says Hassell’s Managing Director, Liz Westgarth. “By taking a holistic approach, we can strengthen our communities, and enhance the lives of the people who inhabit those communities – as well as the natural environment they sit within.

“Developing a shared understanding of social value is essential for our industry to ensure we’re accountable for the long-term impacts of our work, can communicate the value of great design and apply what we learn to design better buildings, places, and cities.”

In developing the paper, 36 Australian and international research reports were reviewed, with 26 people from 23 organisations consulted.

To access the paper, click here.