arcade pROJECT
Good Homes Alliance is a project partner of the ARCADE Project – ‘Accelerating Resilience and Climate Adaptation of Domestic Environments for vulnerable populations’
At a glance:
Lead organisation: UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment
Project lead: Anna Mavrogianni, Professor of Sustainable, Healthy and Equitable Built Environment
Dates: 2024-2027
Funding: ARCADE is funded by UKRI and DEFRA
The challenge:
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense in the UK, posing severe risks to public health both indoors and outdoors. In cities, heat exposures can be significantly increased by urban heat islands. Many older and clinically vulnerable people spend most of their time indoors, and energy-efficiency upgrades risk unintended overheating, if not carefully designed. We need place-based, equitable adaptation that protects those most at risk inside their homes while progressing towards Net Zero.
ARCADE's approach:
A mixed-methods, systems-thinking, solutions-oriented programme that:
- Monitors indoor environments, and conducts occupant surveys.
- Models indoor and local outdoor microclimates, now and under future climates.
- Quantifies heat-health risks and models health impacts.
- Tests the effectiveness and costs of practical adaptation measures, including real-building interventions.
- Co-creates solutions with key stakeholders, such as residents, local authorities and industry partners, through workshops.
- Helps decision-makers to maximise the climate change adaptation of older, heat-vulnerable populations.
Why this matters:
The ARCADE project will provide urgently needed evidence and practical solutions to protect older and vulnerable residents from overheating in their homes. By improving understanding of indoor heat risks and testing effective adaptation measures, it will support safer, healthier, and more resilient housing. The findings will inform local and national policies, guide professional practice, and help deliver equitable, scalable climate adaptation aligned with the UK’s Net Zero goals.
Funders, partners and collaborators
Project partners
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Department of Health and Social Care
- Greater London Authority
- Greener NHS
- NHS Property Services
- Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
- Good Homes Alliance
- Shade the UK
- Solar-Shield Exterior Shading Solutions
- Shaded Ltd
- British Red Cross
More information:
For more information about ARCADE, please contact us.