Economic innovation in the built environment

This survey is gathering "signals of change" reflecting socio-economic innovation in the built environment, for sharing on the Building Transformation StoryMap.

The project recognizes that better outcomes for people and the planet in the built environment will involve changes to economic models: i.e. changes to the way in which the places where people live, work, and interact are financed and planned.

There is a lot of information out there about the problems with how the built environment is currently financed and planned: such as unaffordable housing, over-use of materials, depletion of biodiversity, exploitation of construction workers, exclusive design, and the list goes on. This map is bringing together examples of new directions that are underway, to inspire reflection, connection and action.

The examples are illustrations of shifts: including shifts in the approach to agency, value, and transparency & accountability.

The Institute for the Future defines signals of change as "concrete and specific events, stories, innovations, or news that are at the peripheries/sidelines, which make the observer get a sensation that that a signal, if scaled or mainstreamed, can take us in an entirely different direction in the future."

What's next?

After submitting answers here, It's Material will get in touch to share the way your story will be presented on the map, before publishing.

We also plan to bring together contributors in mid 2025 for a virtual convening to workshop the trends and opportunities that emerge.

Question Title

* 1. Name

Question Title

* 2. Which of these most closely reflects your area of work (select up to two)

Civil society

Government (national, local)

Inter-governmental organization

Finance

Technology

Architecture and design

Engineering

Construction

Media

Innovation hub / connector

Academia / academic institutes

Think tanks

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. Name of your signal of change (e.g. organization, project or initiative)

Question Title

* 4. Where is this signal of change taking place?

Question Title

* 5. What is the signal of change? Provide a brief description

Question Title

* 6. Which of these shifts relates most closely to your initiative? (Select up to two)

Agency: From exclusionary to inclusionary decision-making

Value: From a narrow focus on economic value, to broader combined economic, social and environmental value - this can include shifts in aligning finance more closely with local needs, and within planetary boundaries

Transparency and Accountability: On which entities are involved in decision-making and benefit from a given project or process

Other kind of shift?

Question Title

* 7. "So what?": Elaborate on your answer about the shifts - in what ways does this signal indicate a change?

Question Title

* 8. Source. Please provide a link(s) or reference to information about the signal

Question Title

* 9. Please upload one or more images to accompany your answers (formats could include photographs, drawings, infographics or other visual representations).

PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF file types only.

Choose File

Question Title

* 10. The map aims to foster collaboration. If appropriate please share how people can contact you e.g. your website, social media handles, email, so we can include these details with your story.