Research summary
Canada’s current housing and climate crises demand urban housing that is environmentally, economically and socially sustainable. But because the social and environmental benefits of high-quality housing are non-monetary, they tend to be ignored in cost-driven decision-making. This is why we now have so many rapidly built multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs), many of which had negative environmental consequences and caused widespread health and comfort issues for residents.
As Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Urban Housing, Dr. Marianne Touchie is addressing the need for high-quality housing by looking at MURB issues from residents’ perspectives. She and her research team are developing solutions to improve indoor environmental quality, controls and spaces and assigning monetary values to the social and environmental benefits of these solutions. Ultimately, their work will enable the housing industry to make more holistic decisions.