Leveraging ‘Air Space’ as a Response to Housing Shortages | WSP Skip to content
  • Who We Are

    We are the sum of our collective passion, vision and expertise.

    Discover our people, purpose and stories that have helped shape the organization we are today and are inspiring the one we will become.

    Who We Are
    • What We Stand For
    • Our Story
    • Corporate Responsibility
    • U.S. Leadership
    Corporate Responsibility
    • Communities
    • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Ethics and Integrity
    • Health and Safety
    • Sustainability
    Featured Content
    We value - Square

    Can we help societies thrive in a world we do not…

    We believe that for societies to thrive, we must all hold ourselves accountable for tomorrow. That…

  • What We Do

    We shape the communities of tomorrow and help society thrive.

    With an intimate sense of local realities, we look at complex problems from different angles and deliver solutions that break paradigms.


    View All

    • Sectors
    • Services
    • Projects
    What We Do
    • Property and Buildings
    • Transportation
    • Water and Environment
    • Energy
    • Federal Programs & Logistics
    • Advisory Services
    Property and Buildings
    • Building Enclosures
    • Building Technology Systems
    • Built Ecology
    • Commercial
    • Commissioning
    • Healthcare
    • High-Rise
    • Hospitality
    • Lighting Design
    • MEP Engineering
    • Residential
    • Science & Technology
    • Structural Engineering
    Transportation
    • Alternative Delivery
    • Aviation
    • Highways and Bridges
    • Maritime
    • Mobility Operations
    • Program and Construction Management
    • Transit and Rail
    • Tunnels
    Water and Environment
    • Acoustics, Vibration, Green House Gases and Air Quality
    • Archaelogy and Heritage Buildings
    • Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Management
    • Contaminated Land and Soil Remediation
    • Environment
    • Environmental Due Diligence
    • Flood Control and Hydraulic Structures
    • Hydraulic and Hydrologic Analysis
    • Hydrogeology
    • Industrial and Manufacturing
    • Mine Water Management
    • Natural Environment and Ecology
    • Oil and Gas
    • Sustainability, Energy and Climate Change
    • Water
    • Water and Wastewater Treatment and Conveyance
    • Water Conveyance Tunnels
    • Water Supply and Reuse
    Energy
    • Energy Services and Central Utility Plants
    • Energy Storage Facility Operations
    • Energy Surface Facilities
    • Hydropower and Dams
    • Power Generation and Delivery
    • Solar Energy
    • Storage and Disposal Wells
    • Underground Injection Control and Permitting
    • Underground Storage and Disposal
    • Wind Energy
    Federal Programs & Logistics
    • Environment
    • Environmental Planning
    • Government
    • Logistics and Emergency Management
    • Operations and Maintenance
    • Overseas Integrated Development
    • Safety and Security Program
    • Science and Technology
    • Strategic Environmental Assessment
    • Urban and Community Planning
    Advisory Services
    • Alternative Delivery
    • Asset Management
    • Business Improvement
    • Economic and Market Analysis
    • Environmental Planning
    • Freight and Logistics
    • Planning Strategy and Grants
    • Policy and Research
    • Project Development and Finance
    • Technology and Innovation
    • Transportation Planning
    • Urban and Community Planning
    Featured Content
    bnr-water-campaign2020a

    Surface Water: Into the Hydrosphere

    Water is perhaps our most essential resource — at once shaping and sustaining both the natural…

  • Insights

    Our global experts offer compelling insights that provide new perspectives.

    Read inspiring articles that challenge the status quo by reframing current issues, sparking fresh conversations and finding new solutions.

    View all
    Insights
    • Climate
    • Mobility
    • Places
    • Resources
    • Society
    • Technology
    Featured Content
    bnr-covid-19-meritus-health-aerial

    Meritus Medical Creating Infectious Containment…

    Leach Wallace, a WSP Company, is part of a team acting swiftly to design and build one of the first…

  • Careers

    Help us shape the future

    Join a collaborative team of experts that thrives on complex challenges and unconventional thinking.

    See more
    Careers
    • Join Us
    • Early Career
    • Experienced Professionals
    • Why Choose WSP
    Featured Content
    bnr-wsp-WSP-Ranked-7-ENR-500

    WSP USA Jumps to #7 in ENR’s 2020 Ranking of the…

    The firm ranked second for the "Top 100 Pure Designers."

  • Who We Are
    • What We Stand For
    • Our Story
    • Corporate Responsibility
      • Who We Are
      • Accountable for Tomorrow
        • Communities
        • Corporate Governance
        • Diversity and Inclusion
        • Ethics and Integrity
        • Health and Safety
        • Sustainability
    • U.S. Leadership
  • What We Do
    • Property and Buildings
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Building Enclosures
        • Building Technology Systems
        • Built Ecology
        • Commercial
        • Commissioning
        • Healthcare
        • High-Rise
        • Hospitality
        • Lighting Design
        • MEP Engineering
        • Residential
        • Science & Technology
        • Structural Engineering
    • Transportation
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Alternative Delivery
        • Aviation
        • Highways and Bridges
        • Maritime
        • Mobility Operations
        • Program and Construction Management
        • Transit and Rail
        • Tunnels
    • Water and Environment
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Acoustics, Vibration, Green House Gases and Air Quality
        • Archaelogy and Heritage Buildings
        • Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Management
        • Contaminated Land and Soil Remediation
        • Environment
        • Environmental Due Diligence
        • Flood Control and Hydraulic Structures
        • Hydraulic and Hydrologic Analysis
        • Hydrogeology
        • Industrial and Manufacturing
        • Mine Water Management
        • Natural Environment and Ecology
        • Oil and Gas
        • Sustainability, Energy and Climate Change
        • Water
        • Water and Wastewater Treatment and Conveyance
        • Water Conveyance Tunnels
        • Water Risk Management
        • Water Supply and Reuse
    • Energy
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Energy Services and Central Utility Plants
        • Energy Storage Facility Operations
        • Energy Surface Facilities
        • Hydropower and Dams
        • Power Generation and Delivery
        • Solar Energy
        • Storage and Disposal Wells
        • Underground Injection Control and Permitting
        • Underground Storage and Disposal
        • Wind Energy
    • Federal Programs & Logistics
      • What We Do
        • Environment
        • Environmental Planning
        • Government
        • Logistics and Emergency Management
        • Operations and Maintenance
        • Overseas Integrated Development
        • Safety and Security Program
        • Science and Technology
        • Strategic Environmental Assessment
        • Urban and Community Planning
    • Advisory Services
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Alternative Delivery
        • Asset Management
        • Business Improvement
        • Economic and Market Analysis
        • Environmental Planning
        • Freight and Logistics
        • Planning Strategy and Grants
        • Policy and Research
        • Project Development and Finance
        • Technology and Innovation
        • Transportation Planning
        • Urban and Community Planning
  • Insights
    • Climate
    • Mobility
    • Places
    • Resources
    • Society
    • Technology
  • Careers
    • Join Us
    • Early Career
    • Experienced Professionals
    • Why Choose WSP
Back

We are locally dedicated with international scale.

United States - English

International

  • Global
    English - Français

Americas

  • Canada
    English - Français
  • Chile
    Español
  • Colombia
    Español
  • Mexico
    Español
  • Panama
    Español
  • Peru
    Español
  • United States
    English

Africa

  • South Africa
    English

Asia

  • China
    中文(简体) - English
  • Hong Kong
    English
  • India
    English
  • Malaysia
    English
  • Philippines
    English
  • Singapore
    English
  • South Korea
    한국어(대한민국) - English
  • Thailand
    English

Europe

  • Denmark
    Dansk
  • Finland
    Suomi
  • France
    Français
  • Germany
    Deutsch
  • Greenland
    Kalaallisut - English
  • Netherlands
    Nederlands
  • Norway
    Norsk
  • Poland
    Polski - English
  • Romania
    English
  • Spain
    Español
  • Sweden
    Svenska - English
  • Switzerland
    Deutsch - English
  • United Kingdom
    English

Middle East

  • Kuwait
    English
  • Oman
    English
  • Qatar
    English
  • Saudi Arabia
    English
  • United Arab Emirates
    English

Oceania

  • Australia
    English
  • New Zealand
    English
Worldwide Offices
    • Investors

      Discover our diverse business, financial results and strategic ambitions.

      We are committed to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders and exceptional professional services to our clients.

      Read more
      Investors
      • Corporate Governance
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
      • Stock Information
      • Shareholder Information
      • Presentations and Events
      Corporate Governance
      • Audit Committee
      • Board of Directors
      • Business Conduct Hotline
      • Constating Documents
      • Governance Documents
      • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
      • Mandates
      Reports & Filings
      • AIF
      • Annual
      • Information Circular
      • Quarterly
      • SEDAR Filings
      • Sustainability
      Stock Information
      • Analyst Coverage
      Shareholder Information
      • Acquisitions
      • Dividends
      • Drip
      • FAQ
      Featured Content

      WSP's Q3 2020 Results

      We released our 2020 third quarter results on November 4, 2020 after market close

    • Investors
      • Corporate Governance
        • Investors
        • Corporate Governance
          • Audit Committee
          • Board of Directors
          • Business Conduct Hotline
          • Constating Documents
          • Governance Documents
          • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
          • Mandates
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
        • Investors
        • REPORTS & FILINGS
          • AIF
          • Annual
          • Information Circular
          • Quarterly
          • SEDAR Filings
          • Sustainability
      • Stock Information
        • Investors
        • Stock Information
          • Analyst Coverage
      • Shareholder Information
        • Investors
        • Shareholder Information
          • Acquisitions
          • Dividends
          • Drip
          • FAQ
      • Presentations and Events
    • Events
    • News
    • Contact us

      We are dedicated to our local communities and driven by global talent.

      Contact us to find out how our diversified offering, world-class expertise and geographical reach can assist you in achieving your vision.


      Follow us

      Contact us
      • Send a Message
      • Offices
      Featured Content
      bnr-future-ready-global

      Future Ready

      We know that our future world will be very different from today’s in many ways. Future Ready is our…

    • Investors

      Discover our diverse business, financial results and strategic ambitions.

      We are committed to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders and exceptional professional services to our clients.

      Read more
      Investors
      • Corporate Governance
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
      • Stock Information
      • Shareholder Information
      • Presentations and Events
      Corporate Governance
      • Audit Committee
      • Board of Directors
      • Business Conduct Hotline
      • Constating Documents
      • Governance Documents
      • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
      • Mandates
      Reports & Filings
      • AIF
      • Annual
      • Information Circular
      • Quarterly
      • SEDAR Filings
      • Sustainability
      Stock Information
      • Analyst Coverage
      Shareholder Information
      • Acquisitions
      • Dividends
      • Drip
      • FAQ
      Featured Content

      WSP's Q3 2020 Results

      We released our 2020 third quarter results on November 4, 2020 after market close

    • Investors
      • Corporate Governance
        • Investors
        • Corporate Governance
          • Audit Committee
          • Board of Directors
          • Business Conduct Hotline
          • Constating Documents
          • Governance Documents
          • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
          • Mandates
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
        • Investors
        • REPORTS & FILINGS
          • AIF
          • Annual
          • Information Circular
          • Quarterly
          • SEDAR Filings
          • Sustainability
      • Stock Information
        • Investors
        • Stock Information
          • Analyst Coverage
      • Shareholder Information
        • Investors
        • Shareholder Information
          • Acquisitions
          • Dividends
          • Drip
          • FAQ
      • Presentations and Events
    • Events
    • News
    • Contact us
      • Send a Message
      • Offices
  1. We are WSP
  2. Insights
  3. Building our way out of a crisis

Leveraging ‘Air Space’ as a Response to Housing Shortages

As the world’s largest cities strive to address a growing shortage in housing, stakeholders continue to grapple with the challenge of meeting current demand within the confines of limited urban space. Green spaces and public parking facilities have become essential components of urban planning, further constraining plans aimed at developing much-needed new housing within reasonable proximity to thriving urban centres.

map marker United Kingdom | Monday, December 18, 2017

In the city of London, 488,000 new homes are needed in order to stop the bleeding of a housing crisis that 75% of London businesses warn is a significant risk to the city’s economic growth. With less than half of the necessary homes currently being built, stakeholders are seeking innovative ideas to respond to a growing social and economic problem that has left many people struggling to live and work in the city.

Vertical Solutions

In examining a complex housing crisis wrapped in a myriad of political, environmental, infrastructural, financial and sustainability considerations, WSP researchers in the UK have determined that developing ‘air space’ above public buildings such as hospitals, schools and libraries could provide as much as 6,337 hectares of land, or enough space to build 633,700 new residential units in London. In a report titled Building Our Way Out of a Crisis, WSP researchers present the case that capitalizing on air space located directly above public facilities has the potential to address all of London’s housing needs and more, while stimulating parallel projects to upgrade the city’s public facilities.

In the report, supported by numerous stakeholders, WSP research unveils a path to success through private sector refurbishment of public facilities, with a return on investment derived from the rental or sale of apartments added above the facilities. The report puts forth a blueprint for maximizing the efficiency of existing land, while regenerating public facilities and addressing the crisis head-on by providing housing in ideal locations close to transportation networks and amenities.

“This isn’t about replacing schools and hospitals with apartment blocks, but rather about using the existing land more effectively, with the added bonus that you can regenerate community facilities at the same time,” explains WSP Director, Bill Price. “The problem isn’t the building process - the challenge is more about the perceived issues of people living above places like hospitals, because it’s not the ‘done thing’ in the UK.”

Supporting the research, a WSP survey of Londoners reveals that 57% believe that the city’s public facilities are in need of regeneration, while 61% think that building homes above public facilities is a good idea. However, as Bill Price points out, the concept raises a separate social challenge, with WSP’s survey finding that 63% of Londoners would happily move into housing located above a library, but only 23% would be equally happy living above a school or hospital.

Read our White Paper: Building our way out of a crisis

Related Publications

thn-mcdonalds-disney-net-zero

January 2021 | 4:45 minutes

McDonald’s Opens First Net-Zero Restaurant at Disney World

United States
Feature
Climate , Places , Resilience
thn-us-army-museum-exterior

November 2020 | 4:30 minutes

U.S. Army Museum Opens to the Public on Veterans’ Day

United States
Feature
Places
thn-enginuity-competition-2020-champions

November 2020 | 5:30 minutes

‘Building Suspense’ Brings Third Enginuity Title to WSP USA

United States
Feature
Places
thn-usamriid-research-facilities-high-containment

October 2020 | 3:15 minutes

Creating Research Facilities that Enable Critical Scientific Development

United States
Feature
COVID-19 , Places
thn-university-of-maryland-rmc-prince-georges-exterior

October 2020 | 4:30 minutes

Pre-Fab Central Utility Plant Key to Earlier Opening for Maryland Medical Center

United States
Feature
Places
thn-resilient-system-better-normal

October 2020 | 11 minutes

After COVID-19: What Does A Resilient Healthcare System Look Like?

Feature
COVID-19 , Resilience , Places
thn-Web-Asset-Mgmt-Resilience

October 2020

Asset Management Prepares Organizations for Unexpected Events

Feature
Resilience , Places , Society , Mobility , COVID-19 , Resources
thn-caltrans-climate-change-bixby-creek-bridge

September 2020 | 5:30 minutes

Assessing Climate Change Vulnerabilities on California Highways

United States
Feature
Climate , Mobility
thn-insights-sustainable-transportation

September 2020

Cultivating Sustainable Transport Systems

Feature
COVID-19 , Mobility , Places , Resilience
thn-facility-cybersecurity-banner-graphic

September 2020 | 4:30 minutes

Facility Cybersecurity: Looking Beyond Computer Systems for Maximum Facility Safety

United States
Feature
Places , Technology
thn-Safe-hospitals-better-normal

September 2020 | 13 minutes

After Covid-19, How Can We Make Hospitals Safe?

Feature
COVID-19 , Places , Society
thn-healthcare-delivery-better-normal

September 2020

What Has Covid-19 Taught Us About Healthcare Delivery?

Feature
COVID-19 , Places

Share this page

  • Share on Facebook - link will open a new tab.
  • Share on Linkedin - link will open a new tab
  • Share on Twitter - this link will open a new tab
  • Share on Skype - Warning, this link will open your Skype application.

[Add titles for more than 1 file]

  • WSP white paper-housing crisis

    pdf , 4833KB


Related themes and tags

  • Places (134)


  • Buildings (86)
  • Advisory (49)
  • Infrastructure (50)
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  • Who We Are
  • What We Stand For
  • Our Story
  • Future Ready
  • U.S. Leadership
  • Our Offices
  • What We Do
  • Sectors
  • Services
  • Projects
  • Insights
  • Climate
  • Mobility
  • Places
  • Society
  • Resources
  • Technology
  • Careers
  • U.S. Job Opportunities
  • Apply Here
  • Supplier Registration Page will open in a new tab
  • FEMA Inspection Services Page will open in a new tab
  • Corporate
  • Sustainability
  • Health and Safety
  • Investors
  • Whistleblowing Service
  • News
  • Corporate Governance
  • Ethics and Integrity
    ©2021 WSP
    • The WSP Logo
    • Privacy Policy
    • Anti-Spam Commitment
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Use
    ©2021 WSP

    Exiting our Website

    You are about to leave WSP.com and are being redirected to a job opportunity at Louis Berger, which has been recently acquired by WSP in the US.