Example housing dissertation topic 10:

The ‘Green Deal’ and housing – A missed opportunity?

Instigated by the now disgraced former Cabinet Minister Chris Huhne, the ‘Green Deal’ was launched by the Coalition Government in an attempt to make it easier for home owners to install (and benefit) from green power. Against a backdrop in which the construction industry needs to further embrace the ‘green agenda’, this dissertation argues that the ‘Green Deal’ was a missed opportunity by government. Instead, this study investigates the public’s perceptions of government making it mandatory for all new houses built to be equipped with solar power and making it a condition of purchase of houses over 500,000 that solar powers be installed. It argues that both measures would lower the cost of units and result in a ‘trickle down’ effect within the sector. This is an idealist dissertation that deliberate embraces issues pertaining to housing, the environment and politics.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Arie, S. (2012). Understanding the risks of the Green Deal. Draft working paper, Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford.
• Falk, N. and Carley, M. (2012). How can local government build sustainable urban neighbourhoods? York: Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods Network, Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
• Hinnells, M. and O’Neil, I. (2012). ‘New business models for a low-carbon future: Case studies from the energy sector’. Contemporary Issues in Entrepreneurship Research, vol. 2, pp. 49-73.