HomeVALUE (heimWERT)

Ecology and economy of housing. An assessment system for the evaluation of the suitability of buildings and housing estates for the future.

Central to the project is an evaluation of the "ecology and economy of housing" in different types of residential buildings. The aim of this overall assessment, which is based on already existing "total quality" assessment methods, is the comparability of macro- and microeconomic costs as well as the ecological efficiency of housing (esp. of one-family houses). The ecological/economical arguments and conclusions resulting from this assessment should support and influence developments in the housing market following the guidelines of the "house of the future" programme.

Starting point and aims of the project

Houses and buildings are an essential element in the living and working infrastructure of society. More than 40% of the overall material input into the Austrian economy goes into construction business, 77% of which goes into building construction. A high degree of sealing and high energy consumption during construction and usage of housing premises portray high ecological inefficiency in current developments. The main framework is given by political decisions (e.g. regional planning) and political subsidies (e.g. housing subsidies, financing of infrastructure).

The aim of this study is the development of arguments for "fit for future" types of houses and housing estates. These arguments are based on the results of the assessment, which also takes macroeconomic costs into consideration.

A type of house that considers the main motives of the consumers is the basis of the assessment.

Methodical principles

The construction, production technique, site criteria and versatility are the main grounds of the assessment. Criteria in assessing economical issues of existing and future forms of houses are subjective and budget-concerned arguments about the cost of living, as well as all-embracing economic arguments (e.g. the costs of infrastructure, further external costs). The ecological assessment criteria should be based on the principles of the "house of future" programme, considering the optimal and material consumption and the possibilities of adapting houses and estates to the different stages of life.

Expected results

The result will be an economical/ecological evaluation system for buildings. This will furthermore be developed into arguments for the future suitability of the one-family-house compared to other types of houses and buildings. The arguments should be harmonised amongst all target groups, which are the consumers, the builders, local governments and the housing sector. This should therefore present an objective decision base for political issues in the field of housing for all target groups.