New study shows reusable modular buildings could solve housing shortages
Temporary modular buildings, often discarded after short-term use, could be sustainably dismantled and reused to address global housing shortages, according to new research.
The research was led by Dr Jackie Yang, Senior Lecturer in Quantity Surveying at Oxford Brookes University, and Calvin Luk, Project Manager at the Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The study explores a sustainable approach to addressing housing crises by demonstrating how modular structures can be disassembled, relocated, and rebuilt in areas affected by conflict, disasters, or chronic shortages.
In Hong Kong, where over 200,000 households face long waits for public housing, temporary modular buildings are constructed on vacant land but discarded after limited use due to land tenancy restrictions.The study shows that reusing these buildings could significantly reduce waste and extend their value.
Dr Yang said: “Globally, there is extensive modular construction, but limited knowledge on disassembly and reuse processes. Instead of sending these structures to landfill, reusing them preserves their value, reduces waste, and supports sustainability.”
The researchers observed the construction and disassembly of a four-storey demountable modular building in Hong Kong, while assessing its potential for reuse. The study shows that modular buildings retain value and usefulness even after their initial purpose. With a service life of up to 50 years, many modular buildings are only used for a fraction of this time, leading to significant material waste and environmental impact.
To address this, the study proposes a model where manufacturers maintain ownership of modular units, ensuring their upkeep and extending their lifespan for future use.
Global applications and UK examples
The study notes that, for example, in Germany and Switzerland, prefabricated housing has been effective in providing temporary shelter for migrants but is often designed to last just five to 10 years. In Canada, cities like Vancouver have developed multiple modular housing projects to address homelessness.
In the UK, the government is increasingly exploring modular construction as part of its strategy to meet the target of building 1.5 million new homes within the current parliament. Examples of this approach include the Y:Cube project in London, which created 36 modular flats for people in housing need, and Cardiff Council’s proposal to build 150 modular units for temporary or long-term family accommodation.
Dr Yang noted that modular buildings could also alleviate pressures in sectors beyond housing, such as healthcare, where temporary structures are increasingly in demand.
Dr Yang added: “This emerging trend in low-rise, demountable buildings addresses urgent global needs for emergency facilities while significantly reducing material waste.”
The full study, Disassembly and Reuse of Demountable Modular Building Systems, is published in the ‘Journal of Management in Engineering’.