A Sustainable Estate Valuation-Performance Framework for Urban Regeneration

Thesis Abstract

This study addresses the persistent inefficiencies and inequities in urban regeneration efforts stemming from fragmented estate valuation practices, limited incorporation of sustainability criteria, and weak links between valuation outcomes and performance indicators such as social, environmental, and economic objectives. The aim is to develop a Sustainable Estate Valuation-Performance Framework (SEVPF) that integrates multi-criteria valuation with performance metrics to guide urban regeneration strategies. The specific objectives are (1) to identify critical valuation attributes that reflect sustainability and resilience in regenerated estates; (2) to construct a composite SEVP index combining financial, environmental, social, and governance dimensions; (3) to examine the causal relationships between SEVP components and regeneration performance outcomes; (4) to validate the framework across diverse urban contexts and property types; and (5) to evaluate policy and practice implications for stakeholders including policymakers, developers, and local communities. A mixed-methods design will be employed. The quantitative strand will survey 420 estates undergoing regeneration in three metropolitan regions over a five-year window, selected through stratified random sampling to ensure representation of rental, owner-occupied, and public housing segments. Data collection will combine archival property records, geographic information system (GIS) layers, and structured questionnaires completed by estate managers and local authorities. The qualitative strand will include 30 in-depth interviews with developers, valuers, urban planners, and community representatives, complemented by 12 focus groups with residents. Instrument validity will be established through expert panels and pilot testing; reliability will be assessed using Cronbach’s alpha for multi-item scales and test-retest procedures for stability. The data will be analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to validate the SEVP construct, structural equation modeling (SEM) to test hypothesized relationships among valuation attributes and regeneration performance, and hierarchical regression to examine moderators such as policy context and market dynamics. A canonical correlation analysis will explore multivariate linkages between valuation dimensions and outcome indicators. The model specification will incorporate endogenous and exogenous variables reflecting sustainability criteria aligned with the triple bottom line and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The study will adhere to ethical standards, obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, and securing institutional approval. Key expected findings include (i) a validated SEVP index with robust reliability and discriminant validity that captures financial viability, environmental stewardship, social equity, and governance quality; (ii) empirical evidence that sustainability-aligned valuation attributes significantly predict regeneration performance outcomes such as increased occupancy rates, reduced energy consumption per unit, improved resident satisfaction, and higher long-term property value stability; (iii) identification of threshold effects and interaction terms indicating that policy incentives and market conditions amplify or dampen the linkages between valuation and performance; (iv) context-specific variations in the weightings of SEVP components across estate types and urban settings. The study anticipates that governance and community engagement dimensions will emerge as critical mediators in translating valuation into sustainable performance. Contribution to knowledge includes (a) introduction of a theoretically grounded SEVPF that harmonizes estate valuation with sustainability performance, filling a gap where traditional valuations overlook social and environmental externalities; (b) integration of CFA-SEM and multilevel modeling to demonstrate causal pathways from valuation attributes to regeneration outcomes; (c) a transferable framework adaptable to different regulatory regimes and markets, enabling practitioners to forecast regeneration impacts and optimize investment strategies; and (d) policy guidance on how to structure incentives, disclosure requirements, and participatory planning processes to strengthen the reliability of valuations for sustainable urban regeneration. The study concludes that a holistic valuation framework anchored in sustainability not only improves the accuracy of estate appraisals but also enhances decision-making for regeneration by aligning financial returns with social and environmental objectives. Recommendations include adopting the SEVPF in appraisal standards, embedding sustainability criteria into property data platforms, designing targeted incentives for high-impact components (energy efficiency, inclusivity, and resilience), and promoting participatory valuation processes to ensure legitimacy and community buy-in. Further research should test the framework in cross-country contexts and explore integration with dynamic scenario analysis for long-term urban planning.