Latest BedZED results show sustainable living makes for friendlier neighbourhoods

Published 15.07.09

The latest monitoring results from the UK’s best know eco-village, BedZED, have just been published. They show that on average residents know 20 of their neighbours and particularly like “the nice, non-isolating community spirit” with the “social side being spectacularly good”.

BioRegional - a partner in BedZED - carried out the research.  BioRegional’s Director Sue Riddlestone said: “Living and working at BedZED as I do I agree it’s a really friendly place to live. I think that it can be tracked back to some of the sustainability features. For example, car use is halved at BedZED and the site is pedestrian friendly which means children can safely go out to play and you are more likely to meet and talk to your neighbours.”

Sue also commented on the importance of carrying out the monitoring: “Seven years on BedZED still attracts a lot of interest. It’s important to share the lessons learned with industry and policy makers and also of course with the people who live and work here. We presented the results to residents recently and they were pleased with the fact that they had reduced the home and travel aspects of their personal ecological footprint by up to half. However, they were dismayed to discover that their holiday flights had then pushed their total ecological footprint back up to just 14% below the UK average.”

“The report shows that ultimately it is possible for people in the UK to live happier lives within our fair share of the earth’s resources and save money too. However, the government does need to tackle the binge flying culture as well as supporting zero carbon homes if we are to meet our carbon reduction targets.”

Despite the flying, the average BedZED residents’ CO2 emissions total 9.9 tonnes, compared to the UK average of 11.9 tonnes per year. “Keen” residents only emit 6 tonnes. Electricity use is very low - 45% lower than in the local area, hot water for washing and heating is a staggering 81% less and water use is 40% lower.

BedZED was designed to be zero carbon and these energy savings are a key part of that strategy, but the wood-fired combined heat and power plant, which was designed to produce the site’s renewable energy, has not been operational for some time.  It was just too small to be economically viable. Peabody has commissioned the Energy Savings Trust and Building Research Establishment to carry out a full feasibility study on replacement options. A cost and energy efficient replacement is due to be installed in early 2010.

Peabody Chief Executive Stephen Howlett said: “BedZED was truly groundbreaking. There is a strong and committed community at BedZED who have a real sense of pride and belonging. As happens with such innovative projects there have been challenges making some of the new technology work, which we are addressing. This report also highlights what is working very well indeed.”

“The challenge now is to realise the benefits of BedZED on the scale necessary to meet national carbon reduction targets. This can only be achieved by powerful partnerships between social landlords, the government, utility firms and residents.”

BioRegional and Peabody have been carrying out surveys and taking electric and water meter readings at BedZED over the past 7 years. This latest report and past reports can be dowloaded for free http://www.bioregional.com/news-views/publications.