Resident Reviews: creating better places by learning from people’s lived experience

The UK’s drive to deliver more homes must focus on both quantity and quality. But how do we truly measure success?

Our latest report, based on three years of in-depth post-occupancy evaluations, provides a definitive answer: by listening to the people who live in the places we build.

This report is a concise, evidence-based guide to what truly works in new housing design and what needs to be improved. Inside, you’ll discover:

• The power of a well-designed home: Find out what residents love about their interiors, from generous space standards and flexible layouts to the crucial role of natural light and sound insulation.
• The value of green spaces: Uncover why residents consistently rank well-integrated green and blue spaces as their most appreciated local asset.
• Key challenges from the resident perspective: Learn where design and planning are falling short.

This report is essential reading for anyone involved in building, designing, and managing new homes and communities. It shows how learning from lived experience is the key to creating genuinely high-quality places.

The report was made possible with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.

This project was carried out by the Quality of Life Foundation, led by a team whose expertise continues today through Quality of Life Futures.