Liveability Audit

A ground breaking micro-liveability assessment methodology that uses metrics that matter to residents.

There are many well-known international methods of assessing quality of life, for example the OECD Better Life Index, the Economist's Global Liveability Index, and Mercer's Quality of Life Index. These methods are normally limited to macro-level indicators - for example security, healthcare, education, and employment - which are influenced by non-design policy decisions at a national level.

Our liveability audit process is unique because it combines macro-scale indicators with 'micro-liveability' indicators. These measure concrete, design-related indicators at a local or neighbourhood scale, which have the potential to significantly impact day-to-day quality of life.

For example:

• Average distance from dwelling to bus stop and other public transport nodes.
• Distance and route complexity (doors, stairs etc) from street threshold to dwelling front door.
• Distance from front door to refuse storage and collection.
• Average distance from front door to local green space.

We can undertake a liveability audit of an existing urban area, or a proposed scheme if the design has reached a sufficient level of detail (equivalent to RIBA Stage 3, or planning application level).

Liveability audits can provide you with extra confidence in the marketability and long-term value of your masterplan proposals, and work best in combination with a public consultation process that identifies what liveability indicators are important to local residents.

Contact us to discuss your requirements.