We are proud to be represented on the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) Defining Social Value Task Group by Urban Designer, Sarah Jenkinson.
Despite growing interest, there is still significant confusion around the definition and measurement of social value in the context of the built environment.
This task group brings together some of the industry’s leading organisations working on social value and places them under a shared purpose:
To create a definition of social value that is relevant to a broad variety of development types, geographies and communities, providing the industry with a common language, consistent principles and an agreed hierarchy of delivery.
On being part of the task group, Sarah said:
I’m really excited to be involved in this important project. Our industry needs to completely rethink the way we measure the value of development. Social value must be the primary aim for new neighbourhoods and buildings.
We know the places that make people healthy and happy tend to be those that also meet environmental objectives and create economically sustainable communities. But until we have a clear definition of social value and an established method of measurement, economic value and profit will continue to be the focus and priority.
With her experience writing several design guides aimed at quality-setting in the built environment, Sarah is well placed to help create a definitive understanding of social value, and hopefully resolve the confusion that is preventing practitioners from maximising the value delivered through new development and existing buildings.
UKGBC will undertake a consultation later this summer to canvas views across the industry to inform the definition. Find out more: #DeliveringSocialValue