Providing Sustainable Housing through Sustainability Transitions

Abstract

In this chapter, we explore the concept of sustainability transitions and how it offers a framework to change some of the deep structural elements and embeddedness within the current housing regime. Much of the focus in improving the design, quality, and performance of housing has resulted in minor tweaks rather than the more significant changes required to provide sustainable housing at the scale and rate required for a low carbon future. We begin this chapter with an overview of sustainability transitions theory and research, including exploring where sustainability transitions occur. Following this, we note emerging sustainable housing and transitions research and identify several important socio-technical dimensions for change which will be discussed in more detail in Chaps. 6 and 7.