Modern Methods of Construction

Title: Researching public attitudes and effective communication on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)

Overview:

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is observed as an important contributor to solving Ireland's housing and homelessness challenges. MMC Projects are frequently described in public discours as 'modular', 'rapid-build', 'prefabricated' or 'pre-fab'. These descriptors are often associated with short-term, low quality, unattractive accommodation. This research examines public attitudes to the different terms used to describe MMC and explore what approaches to communicating about MMC and specific MMC projects are more likely to engage public support or trigger hostility. It asks the question:

• What are the perceptions and attitudes of the Irish public towards MMC and how best does the housing sector and stakeholders communicate to the Irish public to win public support and minimise resistance to MMC projects both generally and in their local area?

The main objectives of the project are:

• Review the Irish and international literature on MMC including policy developments and challenges to adoption of MMC projects
• Capture and analyse perceptions and attitudes of the Irish public to MMC through qualitative and quantitative methodologies
• Capture key learnings and develop a set of recommendations about how public authorities (and other stakeholders) should talk about and present projects which plan to utilise a MMC approach

This project will offer significant insights and recommendations for stakeholders to a key housing issue of delivering sustainable, high quality homes and communities

Status: To begin Q1 2024

Outputs: