Description
ICS Newsletter | September 2025Dr Jeeva Sajan and Professor Awais Piracha, project “Towards Disability-Inclusive, Affordable and Net-Zero Housing: A Policy and Design Analysis.”
This timely research asks a critical question: how can Australia design disability-inclusive and affordable homes that also support a net zero economy? The project will examine how existing housing policies support or hinder inclusive and sustainable housing, draw lessons from international exemplars such as Scandinavia’s universal design policies, the UK’s Part M regulations, and New Zealand’s Kāinga Ora model, and translate these insights into recommendations for Australian policy and practice.
Early work has mapped the key national and state institutions responsible for housing and planning, revealing both opportunities and barriers to disability-inclusive provision. The findings will inform stronger, more consistent policy and regulatory frameworks to ensure equitable access to sustainable housing. The research is already progressing, with results to be presented at the 2025 State of Australian Cities Conference in Brisbane and a Q1/Q2 journal article in preparation. This project lays the foundation for a Category 2/3 grant application in 2026, charting a clear pathway from policy review and case study analysis through to international comparison and future funding. By embedding disability inclusion and environmental sustainability at the heart of housing design and policy, this project makes a significant contribution to creating a more equitable and resilient Australia.
| Period | 30 Sept 2025 |
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| Degree of Recognition | Local |