Housing and Healthy Neighbourhoods - Professional/Short course

Program Overview

The Housing and Healthy Neighbourhoods program at UWE Bristol is a level 7 (Masters level) module that explores the relationship between housing and health, housing defects, and area deprivation. Delivered online over one semester, it prepares graduates for careers in environmental health, housing, and related fields. The program is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and can be taken as a stand-alone course or as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate program.

Program Outline

Outline:

Content:

• The various forms of historical and contemporary building construction techniques
• The diagnosis and remediation of common housing defects of public health significance
• The relationship between housing and health: accepted and emerging evidence; social inequalities and their influence on housing risk factors and health; housing condition variance geographically and across tenures
• Area deprivation and social exclusion: Causes of neighbourhood decline (social, economic, government policies); Indices of deprivation; review of the efficacy of government regeneration policies past and present; legal basis for neighbourhood renewal; partnership working and community involvement in renewal/regeneration activities
• Application of risk assessment techniques in characterising the health and safety risks associated with housing of varying construction types, age, tenure, and occupancy; utilisation of appropriate statutory guidance documents in quantifying risk; critical awareness of the uncertainties associated with risk assessment methodologies
• Application of housing law in improving housing conditions: Knowledge and application of primary and secondary legislation; the utilisation of statutory guidance to inform and support decision making; statutory duties and powers; the efficacy of housing legislation in improving housing conditions and protecting public health
• Consideration of the potential for elevated health and safety risks associated with multi-occupied housing in relation to matters such as fire, overcrowding, and shared amenities; evaluation of the strategies and interventions available to eliminate/mitigate risk
• Consideration of the features of sustainable housing and communities: Carbon emissions and contributions to climate change; energy-efficient housing; land use planning; transport planning; healthy environments; flooding; water supply and demand

Structure:

• The course is delivered online over one semester.
• It involves approximately 30 hours of directed study, including online lectures, seminars, and other activities.
• Progress is managed through time-dependent release of online resources and synchronous tutorials.

Individual Modules:

• This program consists of a single 15-credit level 7 module focusing on housing and healthy neighbourhoods.

Assessment:

• Assessment involves a 30-minute pre-recorded presentation covering three core areas: an HHSRS risk assessment, an evaluation of a housing intervention, and critical reflections on learning.

Teaching:

• Teaching is delivered in the form of up to 10 campus lectures.
• Seminars, formative assessments, and other interactive activities utilize tools like quizzes, classroom discussions, and work-based learning scenarios.
• Essential, indicative, and supplementary online learning materials and resources are provided, including links to online library resources and key literature.

Careers:

• This course can contribute towards PGCert/PGDip/MSc Environmental Health and MSc Environmental Health Studies.
• It prepares graduates for careers in environmental health, housing, and related fields.

Other:

• This level 7 (Masters level) module is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).
• Funding may be available to support learning.