Behaviour Change Research: Sinclair Meadows Zero Carbon Scheme. Phase 1 findings

Four Housing Group has developed a sustainable affordable housing community of 21 new zero carbon homes at Sinclair Meadows in South Shields. The Behaviour Change Research is an in-depth study into the experiences, attitudes, knowledge and behaviours of residents of Sinclair Meadows over two years, between 2012 and 2014. It explores the range of impacts that living in the development has on tenants, and highlights interactions between the built environment, the community, and individual residents of Sinclair Meadows. These include pre-occupation attitudes, behaviours and expectations of tenants towards zero carbon living, and impacts for residents over two years, including: use of household technologies and appliances; ‘green’ lifestyles (including non-domestic behaviours, e.g. transport, technology use); health and exercise; knowledge and skills; energy and carbon usage, fuel bills and money saving; home, life and community satisfaction levels. Data is being collected via regular interviews involving a questionnaire survey, and other research activities including group walkabouts and diary-keeping.