Better living quality from housing renovation: Reuse, resource-efficiency and care

This project aims to find ways to align environmental, social, and economic goals in the context of housing renovation. It seeks to explore and interpret how property owners and tenants value reuse, resource efficiency, and qualities in the residential environment, in order to create common ground and mutual understanding.

The project will contribute to increased reuse and reduced resource use in renovation, something that goes hand in hand with the care for preserving buildings’ cultural and historical values. It also aims to promote long-term sustainability and high-quality living environments through housing that is well-designed, appreciated, and accessible to all.

The project is led by senior researchers in architecture and sociology from Chalmers University of Technology and the Gothenburg University, in collaboration with property owners and the Swedish Tenants’ Association. The methods are based on dialogue with people through interviews, focus groups, and workshops. The researchers investigate what can be learned from past renovations, what barriers exist to more climate-conscious approaches, what drives costs in reuse processes, and what competencies are needed to increase reuse and repair.

In addition, a participatory method is tested to empower tenants with knowledge about preservation, care, resource efficiency, and reuse, supporting improved dialogue with property owners.