The UK's housing stock is facing a growing crisis as temperatures soar, with many homes deemed 'uninhabitable' in extreme heat due to inadequate design and insulation. Geographer Sam Johnson-Schlee has sounded the alarm in his book 'Hot House', warning that our trust in homes providing safety from the elements is under threat.
Unlike Mediterranean regions where buildings were designed with natural cooling features such as shutters and shaded communal areas, Victorian-era builders in the UK prioritised rows of poorly ventilated terrace houses. This architectural legacy, coupled with a lack of mandatory cooling strategies in new builds across many local authorities, has led planning experts to caution that numerous homes could become dangerously hot as temperatures increase.
The government's 'green homes grant' scheme, launched in 2020 to encourage insulation upgrades, collapsed after just six months due to design flaws and unrealistic implementation. In its absence, homeowners have resorted to individual solutions, with the number of air-conditioned homes in Britain reportedly doubling in the last three years. However, this can contribute to urban heat island effects, exacerbating temperatures for those without.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan's 'heat-ready' plan for the capital offers a collective response to extreme temperatures. The strategy proposes measures such as retrofitting homes with shutters and installing air conditioning in schools and public buildings, increasing tree planting for shade, and creating more public swimming spots. This roadmap aims to provide a template for other UK cities grappling with similar challenges.
However, implementing such ambitious plans faces significant hurdles, including substantial public investment potentially running into billions of pounds. While the government has acknowledged the need for localised solutions, it remains unclear whether they will articulate a clear national stance on the climate crisis and its impact on residential living.