The carrot and stick metaphor suggests that you can either reward or punish to achieve the desired outcome. Building legislation sets the minimum performance standards, with penalties for non-compliance acting as the stick. Universal Design (UD), however, goes beyond these basic requirements. Let's explore the incentives, or carrots, that have been used to promote UD and their effectiveness.

Several countries have introduced awards to encourage the adoption of UD in the construction sector. For instance, the Singapore Government used this approach for several years. In other regions, such as parts of Canada and some states in the USA, financial support has been linked to UD projects. Funding for new developments or home improvements is contingent on meeting specific UD guidelines.

In Australia, one local council prioritized the processing of building plans with UD features over others as a way to promote UD before updating their construction code. However, the most effective incentives are found locally.

Thames Coromandel District Council (TCDC), Hauraki District Council, Wellington Council, and Hamilton City Council have all introduced incentives for Universal Design. TCDC, for example, offers increased site coverage for plans that meet UD criteria, as evidenced by a Lifemark® 3-Star or better rating, without requiring a resource consent. As a result, over 50% of all new builds now have a UD rating. This approach did not incur additional costs for the Council and motivated the market to deliver more inclusive dwellings. Further analysis shows that the average rating achieved is a Lifemark® 4-Star, rather than the minimum 3-Star.

You can read more about the TCDC case study here.

The power to offer incentives lies with local politicians and policymakers, allowing the market to respond. This approach provides flexibility, transparency, and encouragement for areas with changing population profiles and a desire for a people-centered approach.

Carrots, it seems, are beneficial for everyone.