The Green Register Twilight Talks: Why Self-Build is the Sustainable Solution Our Communities and Land Need

What makes self-build sustainable? Is it the end result, the process, the types of people drawn to it and the choices they make, or all three?

Projects involving a number of families encourage socially sustainable communities, enabling young people to get on the housing ladder, elderly people to downsize whilst staying in their community, and families to live in environments where children can be raised by the village. Shared or co-housing projects can enable shared landscaping, biodiversity, energy generation and water collection – reducing bills and increasing self-sufficiency. They can also provide shared assets (laundry, spare rooms etc.) and access to green space and growing space.

The self-build process can support the economic sustainability of the local area by commissioning local trades and material suppliers rather than relying on national developers. The slower pace of building also allows for recycled material sourcing, waste reuse, educational opportunities, volunteering and skills building.

May Fisher of Livedin will discuss the insights they have gained through developing their platform, share case studies and statistics, and explain how you could get involved and win work.