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 Technology Barriers Analysis
To develop successful activities and services for the housing industry, PATH must understand barriers to housing technology research and adoption. Barriers can be found in the building process; in the economic, social, or political aspects of a housing technology; or in general housing characteristics.
A primary PATH function is to review issues attached to each barrier and to develop potential alternatives or improvements, in coordination with existing industrial and governmental frameworks. Reviews must consider the tremendous historical legacy and institutionalization of the barriers, as well as the viability of specific institutions (that is, private industry, PATH, and the Federal Government) to institute change. PATH has developed a series of activities to address the following topics:
- Financial incentives for houses that incorporate innovations.
- Private investment in housing innovation.
- Roadmapping technologies.
- Codes that recommend use of housing innovation.
- Insurance policies that reward use of housing innovation.
- Appraisal/market value accounting for housing innovation.
- Public attention and education.
- Breaking tradition.
- Availability of centralized information.
- Geographic diversity.
PATH started a Technology Barriers Analysis Project in September 2001. The project is an exploration of specific industrial, institutional, financial, and/or cultural barriers to the advancement of housing technology. The study is based on existing literature from academia, government, and industry. From this review, a finite number of key concerns will be identified for further exploration and recommendation of policy alternatives. The analysis will discuss each barrier in historical and contemporary contexts and provide alternatives for overcoming the barrier. Please check back for new updates and reports in the coming year.
PATH Issue Groups
Recently, PATH created a set of five issue groups to focus on specific problems in developing housing technologies for which members from industry volunteer to serve as members. The groups include relevant PATH partners who focus on one problem and develop pertinent alternatives and solutions. The Issue Groups focus on Technology Roadmapping, Finance, Barriers/Insurance, Quality and Labor, and Consumer Education. More information about the activities of the issue groups will be available in a few months.
ToolBase Roundtables
In addition to its regular dissemination activities, PATH sponsors a series of roundtables through ToolBase to address specific areas of housing technology interest that intersect with PATH's work. Information on these is provided below.
The following is a list of documents created from ToolBase Roundtables. These documents and more information about the roundtables are available on the ToolBase Web site.
Housing Innovation and the Appraisal Process
Representatives from the home building and development, appraisal, real estate, lending, energy, and research sectors discussed the valuation of residential housing technology, property valuation, information sources, roadblocks to innovation, and areas for potential improvement for technology adoption.
Changing Demographics
Top executives from industrial suppliers and innovative builders from key markets around the country gathered for a roundtable discussion on changing U.S. demographics.
Labor Shortages and Productivity in the Homebuilding Industry
Explores the connection between labor shortages and stagnating productivity in the homebuilding industry.
New Horizons in Quality Management
Explores where leading quality builders are heading in the twenty-first century.
Supply Chain Solutions from the Homebuilding Industry: Executive Summary
Describes topics relevant to the NAHB Research Center's National Center for Seniors' Housing Research and ToolBase Services in cooperation with the U.S. Administration on Aging, HUD, and PATH.
The Manufactured Home
Discussions related to manufactured housing between builders, producers of manufactured and modular housing, and manufacturers.
Certification of Products for the Mature Market: Executive Summary
Discussions on whether certification of products specifically designed to meet the needs of America's aging population would be beneficial, and if so, appropriate scope and measurement criteria.
PATH Technology Reviews
PATH provides technology reviews, comprehensive analyses on technologies that are commercialized and have reached varying levels of market penetration. The analyses reveal the factors that aided or hindered a technology's market success. For past reports, visit the Technology Review page.
Contact Information
PATH
Carlos Martín
David Engel
451 7th Street, SW, Room 8134
Washington, DC 20410-0001
(202) 708-4370
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Content updated on 10/29/2002
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Partnership for Advancing
Technology in Housing (PATH)
451 7th Street, SW, Rm. 8134
Washington, DC 20410-0001
Telephone: 202 708-4370 Fax: 202 708-5873
E-mail: pathnet@pathnet.org |
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