The National Retrofit Hub (NRH) has published a new report, Understanding Place-Based Retrofit: Key Definitions, Principles, and Approaches for Place-Based Retrofit Strategies.
The report was developed in collaboration with the UK Green Building Council and the Energy Demand Research Centre, with support from The MCS Foundation. It is the first in a series of resources produced as part of this collaborative project.
The publication is timely within the policy landscape where The Warm Homes Plan, the Pride in Place Strategy and the wider devolution agenda all point to a stronger role for local leadership, civic infrastructure and long-term stewardship.
As more responsibility sits with local and combined authorities, there is growing pressure to move from isolated retrofit projects to coordinated local strategies.
Place-based approaches are widely referenced in policy, but often without a shared understanding of what they mean in practice. Without clarity, programmes risk repeating short-term, target-driven delivery models that do little to strengthen local capacity or create lasting value.
This report provides a practical foundation. It sets out definitions, guiding principles, and the core components of a place-based approach. It explains how systems thinking, area-based delivery, intermediaries, and civic infrastructure can work together to support more effective retrofit programmes.
The report is intended to establish a common language across the sector, giving practitioners confidence while allowing flexibility to reflect local context.
The findings draw on a literature review and engagement with the NRH network, including a sector survey and workshop discussions.
Rachael Owens, NRH Co-director, said: “Place-based retrofit is often talked about as if it is self-explanatory, but in practice it means different things to different people. At a time when local authorities are being asked to deliver at pace while building long-term capacity, that lack of clarity becomes a real barrier.
“This report brings together insights from those delivering place-based retrofit to provide shared definitions and principles that can support more coordinated, resilient delivery. If we want retrofit to strengthen local economies and civic infrastructure, not just meet short-term targets, we need a clearer foundation for action.
“Our thanks goes to all the practitioners who have engaged with our surveys, workshops and one-to-one interviews to help build this consensus picture of place-based retrofit.”
The UK’s housing stock differs widely between regions and neighbourhoods in age, condition, tenure and socio-economic context. Yet funding and programme design have often prioritised short-term outputs rather than long-term local capability. This has contributed to supply chain instability and uneven resident engagement.
Current policy creates an opportunity to take a different approach. A place-based model can help local areas:
- Strengthen supply chains and retain economic value locally
- Ensure retrofit delivers on local and community needs including health, resilience and wider regeneration
- Overcome barriers linked to tenure and fragmented funding
- Build long-term partnerships and delivery confidence
Rather than focusing narrowly on isolated performance measures, place-based retrofit takes a broader view. It recognises that homes sit within local systems and that lasting impact depends on coordination, trust and capacity.
The report is designed for those delivering retrofit at a local level, including local authorities, housing associations, community organisations and retrofit facilitation providers. It will also be relevant to regional and national organisations seeking to enable more effective locally led programmes.
NRH will host a webinar on 18th March 2026 to explore the report’s findings and discuss how the sector can apply its principles in practice.
Access the report: Understanding Place-Based Retrofit: Key Definitions, Principles, and Approaches for Place-Based Retrofit Strategies.
