Local Environment: Establishing Acceptable Standards
A qualitative examination of the factors residents and local government professionals use to judge the quality of the local environment and public space and how such qualities are understood and applied. Twelve qualities by which an area might be judged were developed by University College London, based on a literature review. Participants were asked what factors they felt each quality would cover, as well as what they would regard as a 'good' or 'acceptable' standard for each and how they would evaluate these qualities in their local area.
This research was commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government and informed an overall report by University College London about assessing local environmental quality. (See: Local Environmental Quality; establishing acceptable standards: Department for Communities and Local Government / University College London)
Method
The project ran over two stages of qualitative research during June / July 2006; the first stage involved 12 discussion groups with residents which were held across six areas of England -- the areas were selected to ensure a geographical spread across England that covered rural, suburban and urban areas, as well as deprived and non-deprived areas, and we spoke to individuals from a variety of backgrounds.
The second stage comprised two half-day discussion workshops (held in London and Manchester) with professionals working for local authorities across England who are directly involved in 'Liveability'-type fields, such as Planning, Community or Neighbourhood Services, Environment Services and the Street Scene. The professionals came from a range of authorities, including rural, urban and suburban, and deprived and non-deprived areas.
Establishing Acceptable Standards; A Qualitative Study pdf, 1.3MB
