Current tools are: incapable of capturing whole set of components; far away from assessing “sustainability”. Same set of indicators are unable to assist different stakeholders because of: stakeholders‟ technical capacities; and different requirements. Sustainability assessment, evaluation, monitoring and reporting activities are devoted to sustainability experts The tools should be developed to: contribute towards consistency and translation of the phenomenon which can be understood by all; have potential to take a common approach to communicate sustainability; and Accelerate the uptake of the mainstream sustainability agenda. Research 2012 Approaches to SUSTAINABLE HOUSING Critical assessment & evaluation of core drivers & issues PGR Renuka Thakore a ; PGR Andrey Benuzh b ; Professor Jack Goulding c . Centre for Sustainable Development Figure 1: Multi-level dynamics of socio-technical transition. This research critically synthesises extant literature on sustainable housing constituting micro-level niches and tools to assess their sustainability, along with practical applications of these tools in decision making process to assist users in implementing more sustainable criteria within the field of sustainable housing. Though effective macro-level policies at national level are introduced, very little research has studied sustainable housing from a micro-level consumer and citizen perspective. INTRODUCTION AIM RESULTS Macro-level: 'Social Technical Landscape' (System Innovations): Regulations such as PAS 2030; PAS 2050; Sustainable housing strategies for 2016; and regulators such as UKAS Meso-level ‘Socio Technical Regime’: BREEAM; LEED; GRIHA; BASIX Micro-level Niches: Consumers and citizens CONCLUSION ABSTRACT This paper presents research findings on the criticality of incorporating emerging non-traditional perceptions of building sustainability assessment strategies (and adoption) using bottom-up approaches for strategic management. It highlights the need for developing much more robust and practical housing sustainability assessment tools to make informed decisions. A wide range of housing sustainability assessment tools were identified through critical synthesis of extant literature; along with core drivers and issues for further development. This research contributes to the emerging knowledge on potential sustainability perceptions mapped against traditional sustainability indicators. The study builds on the current perceptions of sustainability in housing assessment (macro-level requirements) covering a wide range of pivotal stakeholders, from regulatory bodies through to construction, stakeholders and end users. REFERENCES BRE Global 2010-12 (2012). What is BREEAM? [Online]. Available at: http://www.breeam.org/page.jsp?id=66 (Accessed on 30 April 2012). Chater, C. (1997). Findings. Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Housing Research 211. May 1997. Fowler, K. M., and Rauch, E. M. (2006). Sustainable Building Rating Systems Summary. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Department of Energy. U.S. PNNL-15858. Indian Green Building Council. (2008). [Online]. Available at: http://www.igbc.in/site/igbc/index.jsp (Accessed on 30 April 2012). International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment. (2005). [Online]. Available at: http://www.iisbe.org/index.html (Accessed on 30 April 2012). New South Wales Australian government. (2011). BASIX Fact sheet. SPREAD Sustainable Lifestyles 2050. (2012). Emerging Visions for Future Sustainable Lifestyles 2050. Social-economic Sciences and Humanity Policy Brief. Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP). Germany. Taipale, K. (2010). „Buildings and construction as tools for promoting more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.‟ Sustainable Development Innovation Briefs. The United Nations. Issue 9. Tools Countries References Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) UK and many other countries BRE Global (2010-12) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) US and other countries Fowler and Rauch (2006) Building and Sustainability Index (BASIX) online tool New South Wales, Australia NSW Australian Government International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment International iiSBE (2005) Indian Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED INDIA) and GRIHA India IGBC (2008) Key themes in Sustainable Housing International Research bodies Lack of consumer information Chater (1997) Multi-level policies are needed Taipale (2010) Greater public awareness A systematic, multi-sectoral, human- centred approach SPREAD Sustainable Lifestyles 2050 (2012) A deeper understanding of individual lifestyle diversity Sustainable lifestyles Development of sustainable products Contacts a. [email protected]; b. [email protected]; c. [email protected]