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Design that expands capabilities: Assessing the social value of the housing block.

This research illuminates the concept of the social value of housing, focusing on its impact on people's lives – a research strand that has yet to be addressed in social value scholarship. Amid prevailing narratives that hastily attributed social challenges to design flaws and stigmatised housing estates as hubs of crime and neglect, this study provides a human-centred evaluation of design and management practices effects. By analysing spatial dynamics of housing and the social consequences associated with the use of space, my research broadens the conversation around housing design’s role in fostering wellbeing and quality of life.

This thesis is contextualised within the recent introduction of social impact measurement policies and tools, e.g. the Social Value Act in England and Wales and ESG criteria. By focusing on the role of social housing providers and the impact they can create, this thesis draws on Amartya Sen’s capability approach and highlights the pivotal role of housing as a conversion factor, enabling residents to lead valued and fulfilling lives.

This research is part of the RE-DWELL project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie SkÅ‚odowska-Curie (MSCA-ITN) grant agreement No 956082.