Our pathway to resilient and sustainable housing

Housing is a human right, central to our social, economic and cultural wellbeing. But as populations grow, access to affordable, high-quality housing remains out of reach for many.

Today, in Australia, housing is more than a place to live. It’s also social infrastructure, an investment vehicle and a partner in environmental issues. Appreciating housing’s broad roles draws in a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, communities, investors and institutions, often with competing priorities and goals. The result is a housing system that plays many roles and is increasingly complex, fragmented and under pressure.  

What’s needed now is a systems-level, integrated approach. Industry must work together across three critical areas: policy, the levers that shape funding, regulation and incentives; place, how we plan and design sustainable, inclusive communities; and product, how we design, build and deliver homes.  

When these elements are aligned, they form a connected pathway capable of supporting resilient, adaptable housing systems that meet the demands of today and future generations. 

Policy: how industry and government can partner to shape housing outcomes

Policy shapes what gets designed, built, who can access it and how resilient it is. Policy differs in every country, for example, in Singapore, the government directly provides most homes and controls land to ensure affordability through subsidies and long leases. In the United Kingdom, affordable housing is mandated in new developments, while Australia relies heavily on private home ownership to support economic growth, with limited public housing.  

But policy cannot be copied and pasted – what works in one country, state, territory or city may not suit another. Tailored solutions are essential and where the housing industry can become a partner in shaping what comes next. 

Whether looking at how to reuse materials, improve energy performance or retrofit older homes, the industry holds knowledge that can guide better decisions. When this knowledge is shared with government, it can lead to policies that are more informed, more effective and more responsive.  

Real progress comes from working together, building trust and creating space for new thinking. Policy should not stand still. Just like the housing sector, it must evolve with the times.

This is a moment for leadership. Not just in the buildings we design and deliver, but in the frameworks that decide what gets built, where and for who.

Place: putting people at the heart of housing

Solving housing challenges means more than building homes. It’s about creating inclusive, connected communities where people feel they belong. This begins with long-term planning that reflects regional needs and future growth. Well-considered planning brings together homes and essential services such as schools, healthcare, shops and public transport, making everyday life more convenient and communities more liveable. It supports walking, cycling, access to public transport, green spaces and energy-efficient buildings benefits both people and the environment. It leads with services, not lags them after housing has arrived. 

Diversity is essential. Providing a mix of housing for young families, older residents and those on modest incomes helps create balanced neighbourhoods.

An example of this approach is the Southwark Grounds project in Thebarton, South Australia. The masterplan incorporates a variety of housing types, including mid-rise apartments and flexible townhouses, to accommodate diverse living needs. The street layout and building orientation are designed to maximise sunlight, shade, and natural ventilation while enhancing connections to green spaces and the nearby river. The homes are also well-integrated with essential infrastructure such as transport, healthcare, and education facilities.  

Product: finding new ways to design and construct housing

Construction has remained largely unchanged for decades, relying on traditional methods that are often slow, and costly. As cities grow and housing demand rises, this old way of building struggles to keep up. To better meet today’s challenges, we need to explore new approaches that make housing design and delivery more efficient, affordable, quick and environmentally responsible. 

Picture housing made from carefully crafted, standardised parts like pieces of a puzzle. This approach, known as modular construction, speeds up building while using materials that last longer and can be reused or recycled.

For example, for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, a large-scale housing village was developed in a short time frame in an underutilised part of the city. Using repeatable, modular elements, the development was constructed on time and later easily adapted for long-term housing. It remains well-connected and highly occupied today. 

By combining smarter materials, ideas from other industries, and modern technology we can reshape housing to meet the demands of cities today and tomorrow. 

Taking the pathway together

Solving housing challenges means understanding the whole and working in partnership. When government, industry and communities collaborate, they bring the insight and resources needed to create real and lasting solutions.