Craig Thomson

Potential and implications of sustainability action plans

Purpose – Sustainability action plans are emerging as a management tool to facilitate the delivery of sustainability objectives which are planned, measured and achievable in practice. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential to support an integrated approach to delivering sustainability across the phases of a construction project. A holistic approach to sustainability is promoted which aims to be understandable, managed and aligned with available sustainability assessment methods. Design/methodology/approach – The application of a sustainability action plan is explored in the Greater Middlehaven Regeneration Project (UK). Six key stakeholders were interviewed to consider the rational of its application, structure, role of sustainability assessment and contribution to project development and delivery. Two workshops involving practitioners and experts in sustainable construction explored the implications for the wider context. Findings – A framework around which sustainability can be managed th...

Establishing an evidence base for adapting social housing for an ageing population

Purpose Prolonged life expectancy coupled with the retirement of the “post war baby boomers” has resulted in an exponential rise in the 50+ population, peaking in the UK in 2035. Recognising that longevity is often not accompanied by health, mobility or quality of life, the “shifting the balance of care” agenda promotes an integrated care model based around the resident’s home. This study aims to explore the adaptability of the existing social housing stock and how it relates to the requirements and preferences of the ageing population. Design/methodology/approach This research focuses at the local authority level, with the lead author embedded within North Ayrshire Council to establish the evidence base for their housing strategy for older people. Following a constructivist grounded theory approach, key themes emerge through consultation with a working group, wider stakeholder groups and an iterative review of policy and literature. These themes were explored through an evidence base of available health and housing datasets, and a questionnaire survey of 1,500+ people aged 50+ exploring housing preferences and needs for older people; six focus groups split between residents and social housing providers and stakeholder interviews. Findings The scale and acute nature of the problem facing social housing providers is highlighted and reveals an alarming information gap within housing data sets, exposing an in-balance between the supply and demand and realising the cost implications for adapting the housing stock. Practical implications It is important to resolve this information gap to develop the social housing stock to respond to preferences and establish solutions appropriate for its residents. Originality/value This work strengthens calls for a cohesive and integrated housing, health and social care system and exposes the challenge of delivering this at a local authority level.

Performance measurement for the strategic management of healthcare estates

The purpose of this study is to explore the role of performance measurement in current practices for strategic management of health-care estates.,The research adopts a constructivist grounded theory approach, combining different methodologies of a pan-European qualitative questionnaire, interviews with international health-care providers and a case study of National Health Services (NHS) Scotland. Here, documentation analysis, observations and in-depth interviews involving NHS stakeholders were undertaken.,The analysis shows evidence that measuring estate performance has limited value for individual NHS boards regarding strategic decisions related to long-term planning and investment. This was due to design issues and the prioritisation of clinical delivery, which contribute to the neglect of the estate as a consideration in long-term strategic planning. This misalignment results in a tool which is valuable for accountability but which is less helpful to NHS boards in shaping future decisions around the estate.,Responding to a gap in understanding of the application of performance measurement in the context of health-care estates, this research provides three recommendations to promote a more effective and relevant performance measurement system. These actively recognise the importance of the estate within strategic decision-making as helping to inform the long-term planning and management of the estate within the individual NHS boards.,This paper shows the current role of performance measurement for the strategic management of health-care estates and identifies issues related to its applicability and value.

Development of Eco-Engineering Sector Specific Routines and Curricula for the Mediterranean Region

Mediterranean coastal regions contain large high density urban populations and support diverse ecosystems. However, many of the countries in the region are being negatively affected by climate change in terms of increased flooding and erosion as the coasts fall below normal high-tide levels, as well as the increase in the number and landslide occurrences due to changing rainfall patterns.

Developing a planned work process model for housing associations

Purpose – Improving process management within construction projects has been the source of academic and policy research for decades, and continues to be today. This paper seeks to focuses on the relatively under investigated management of Housing Association (HA) planned works and aims to improve this often ill‐defined process by developing a Planned Work Process Model (PWPM) that aids the definition of the phases and activities.Design/methodology/approach – First step in developing the process model was through semi‐structured interviews with 11 HA practitioners allowing for the identification of 20 planned works activities. Second step considered the responses of 7 HA practitioners to a set of questions about the 20 activities leading to the development of an initial Process Model (PM). Third step contextualises the PM within four case studies with HAs of different sizes from which the PWPM emerged. Finally, the PWPM was validated by a panel of HA practitioners.Findings – The PWPM is a process model spe...