The role of the building regulations in achieving housing quality

Urban policy in the United Kingdom emphasises the importance of good design as a key component in the revitalisation of towns and cities. In particular, housebuilders are being encouraged to develop sustainable construction practices, and to sensitise the design of dwellings to incorporate local building materials, design styles, and traditions. The government has noted that the building regulations will play a key role in ensuring the development and delivery of design quality. However, there is little or no knowledge of how far, and in what ways, the building regulations will be able to attain the objectives that government has set. The paper evaluates the role and relevance of the building regulations in seeking to deliver design quality in dwellings. It does so with reference to an empirical study of Part M of the building regulations (for England and Wales). This requires builders to provide access to dwellings for disabled people. The research indicates that the use of the building regulations is unlikely to raise, significantly, the quality of design in dwellings.