How could the expert evaluation of a housing policy model affect the general assembly?
The expert evaluation of a housing policy model could challenge the general assembly's housing policy debates The expert evaluation challenges the fundamental assumption that taller apartment buildings are inherently cheaper to construct. The State's Land Development Agency is promoting a cost-driven model of taller apartment development, which involves 12 apartments per floor sharing a central corridor. The expert argues that low-rise high-density housing, such as stacked duplex homes and town houses, can deliver similar densities without the high capital cost or annual maintenance expenses associated with shared internal circulation areas, potentially forcing the general assembly to re-evaluate current State housing trends.
- Effect
- Mild negative
- How direct
- Brind's reasoning
- When
- Within months
- The story
- Gone quiet
How it reaches general assembly
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The State’s Land Development Agency is promoting a model for taller apartment building construction. An expert evaluation of this policy model noted that the assumption that increasing the number of floors automatically reduces the cost per apartment is incorrect. Taller buildings require significant additional costs for structural integrity, fire safety, and shared circulation areas.
The full event1independent outlet -
The expert argues that the current trend among State agencies, politicians, and developers to favour taller apartment blocks must be re-evaluated. This critique of the underlying economic and social assumptions of the State's preferred housing solution provides material for the general assembly to consider when debating and legislating on housing policy and zoning rules.
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The facts so far
As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.
- Taller apartment building types typically require 20 per cent of their floor area given over to circulation corridors, stairs and lift lobbies.irishtimes.com
- The State’s Land Development Agency is promoting an assumed cost-driven model of taller apartment development in which 12 apartments per floor share a central corridor.irishtimes.com
- Low-rise high-density own-door housing of stacked duplex homes and town houses can deliver similar densities of homes without the capital cost or the annual management and maintenance costs of shared internal circulation areas.irishtimes.com
Why it matters
The housing crisis and the need for increased supply are major political and social concerns. The State's current push toward taller, cost-driven apartment blocks is presented as a primary solution, but the expert evaluation suggests this model may impose significant long-term costs to society, potentially undermining the goal of affordable, sustainable housing.
This debate is part of a broader trend where State agencies and developers are favouring high-density, taller blocks. The expert's counter-argument highlights alternative, human-scaled, low-rise designs that offer both similar density and a greater sense of community, suggesting that the current policy direction may be economically and socially suboptimal.
What we don't know yet
- Will the general assembly mandate an economic appraisal of the long-term societal cost of the State's preferred housing model?
- What specific legislative changes might be required to shift focus from taller blocks to low-rise high-density designs?
What would change this answer
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Reporting
- irishtimes.comOct 6
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