The Homes for Good revolution is afoot. Homes for Good means looking beyond the utility and monetary value of the goods we purchase to also consider the cumulative impact of our consumption decisions on our communities, our personal health, our wellbeing, and our environment. This broader examination of lifestyles extends from the cities in which we reside to how our homes function, to the means by which products are delivered to us. It breaks with the view that negative externalities such as pollution are unavoidable evils of prosperity, and explores ways to embed goodness by design in our daily lives while supporting economic growth. For instance, in 2019 the New Zealand government introduced its first wellbeing budget which recognises that the success of the nation cannot be solely captured by short-term GDP variation, and needs to include the long-term impact of social and environmental policies as well.
When thinking of Homes for Good, the obvious first aspect to consider is the way our homes are built. According to the International Energy Agency, the residential sector accounts for 20% of final energy consumption. Cement production alone reportedly accounts for eight percent of global CO2 emissions each year. With growing urbanisation forecast over the next decade, city officials and architects are under pressure to make biodiversity a central supporting element for the wellbeing of city dwellers.
When thinking of Homes for Good, the obvious first aspect to consider is the way our homes are built. According to the International Energy Agency, the residential sector accounts for 20% of final energy consumption. Cement production alone reportedly accounts for eight percent of global CO2 emissions each year. With growing urbanisation forecast over the next decade, city officials and architects are under pressure to make biodiversity a central supporting element for the wellbeing of city dwellers.