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The challenges of implementing evidence-based strategies to inform building and urban design decisions: a view from current practice

Avgousta Stanitsa (School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Bedford, UK)
Stephen H. Hallett (Chair of Applied Environmental Informatics, Cranfield Environment Centre, Cranfield University, Bedford, UK)
Simon Jude (Environmental Decision Making Group, Cranfield Environment Centre, Cranfield University, Bedford, UK)

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology

ISSN: 1726-0531

Article publication date: 15 August 2022

55

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to raise awareness of the key challenges, opportunities and priorities for evidence-based strategies’ application to inform building and urban design decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses deductive qualitative content and manifest analysis, using semi-structured interviews undertaken with building and urban design professionals who represent a UK-based organisation.

Findings

The challenges associated with the practical implementation of frameworks, potential application areas and perceived areas of concern have been identified. These not only include the need to practically test their use, but also to identify the most appropriate forums for their use. Participant responses indicate the need to further develop engagement strategies for their practical implementation, clearly communicating the benefits and efficiencies to all stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

Implications/ limitations of this study come with the fact that some of the respondents may possess inadequate professional experience in properly evaluating all the questions. Additionally, the information gathered is restricted to the UK geographical context, as well as coming from one organisation, because of data accessibility.

Practical implications

The findings of the study can be adopted by designers in the strategic definition level to overcome the key challenges associated with the use of evidence-based strategies, enhancing their decision-making processes.

Originality/value

As a theoretical contribution to knowledge, this study enhances the body of knowledge by identifying the challenges associated with the practical implementation of evidence-based strategies to inform building and urban design decisions. In practice, the findings aid urban planners, designers and academics in embedding and adopting strategies that enhance decision-making processes.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (grant number NE/R011265/1). The authors are grateful to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Economical and Social Research Centre (ESRC). We are also grateful to Atkins for their support.

Natural Environment Research Council.

Author contributions: The final manuscript has been approved by all three authors. Avgousta Stanitsa conceived of the presented idea and compiled the manuscript. Stephen H. Hallett and Simon Jude supervised this work, verified the methods used, and provided substantial inputs to the text. All three authors discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest: The author(s) declare no conflict of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Data statement: Due to the sensitive nature of the questions asked in this study, survey respondents were assured raw data would remain confidential and would not be shared.

Ethical Approval: An ethical approval was obtained for the collection and use of the questionnaire data via the Cranfield University Research Ethics System (CURES). Reference: CURES/14449/2021.

Citation

Stanitsa, A., Hallett, S.H. and Jude, S. (2022), "The challenges of implementing evidence-based strategies to inform building and urban design decisions: a view from current practice", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-01-2022-0003

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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