Project Support Centre


Opening times

Term time schedule

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Closed for lunch 12pm - 1pm each day

Closed all day Saturday and Sunday and bank holidays

Visit the School

The Project Support Centre is located in the School of Architecture and the Built Environment at the University of Westminster.

Visit the School of Architecture and the Built Environment

Blogs

This page displays links to blogs on the following topics:

Climate change and environment

Construction and architecture

Energy

Europe

Housing

International planning

Planning

Property

Sustainable development

Tourism and events

Transport

 

Climate change and environment

The Carbon Brief

Carbon Brief reports on the latest developments in climate science, and fact-checks stories about climate and energy online and in the press. It provides briefings on the people and organisations talking about climate change, and produces background materials on science issues and news stories. Funding and support is provided by the European Climate Foundation.

 

C40 Cities

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) is a network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change.

 

Committee on Climate Change blog

The Committee on Climate Change (the CCC) is an independent, statutory body established under the Climate Change Act 2008. Its purpose is to advise the UK Government and Devolved Administrations on emissions targets and report to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for climate change.

 

Edie (Environmental Data Interactive Exchange)

Edie is the online resource for professionals responsible for the sustainability of their company or organisation. Edie provides practical information, in-depth yet accessible news, informative videos and a wealth of networking and communications channels.  Officially Europe’s biggest environmental website, Edie combines an unparalleled directory of products and services from thousands of specialised companies with an online news service reporting on the latest environmental stories as they break.

 

Environment blog

Blog on the environment from the Guardian newspaper.

 

Green Alliance blog

Green Alliance is an environmental think tank working to ensure UK political leaders deliver ambitious solutions to global environmental issues.  This blog is a home for debate on UK environmental policy and politics.

 

The Nature of Cities

The Nature of Cities is a virtual magazine on cities as ecosystems. It is a global collective of contributors, an essay and discussion site devoted to cities as social-ecological spaces, as ecosystems of people, buildings, open spaces, and nature. City design with nature at the center is key to urban resilience, sustainability, and livability.

 

Planet Earth

Blog from the Natural Environment Research Council, the UK’s main agency for funding and managing research, training and knowledge exchange in the environmental sciences.

 

Rebuilding a better urban future

This is the official blog of the UN-Habitat’s response to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

 

Reporting Climate Science

reportingclimatescience.com was set up in 2010 with the aim of reporting on the latest research in climate science. Most of this research is consistent with the mainstream consensus on climate change; but some is not. Reports are publicized irrespective of the implications they may have in the climate debate. You can subscribe to a free e-mail newsletter.

 

Resilient Urbanism

Resilient Urbanism is a collaborative blog that seeks to explore a wide spectrum of topics related to what makes resilience in urban contexts unique: housing and land challenges, equity, density, governance, construction markets, and other characteristics related to the unpredictable and ever-changing urban environment. Therefore, blog posts will represent multiple disciplines and attempt to describe resilient urbanism through a variety of scales and time frames.

 

Revolt

Worldwide Institute’s climate and energy blog. Through research and outreach that inspire action, the Worldwatch Institute works to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world that meets human needs.

 

Talking climate

The gateway to research on climate change communication

 

Construction and architecture

 

Archinect Blogs

This provides a blogging platform to all members of the architecture and design community to start and manage a blog that reflects each persons own distinct interests, skills and experience. At the moment, there are 6 different types of blogs: school blogs (by students, instructors, faculty, etc.); professional blogs (discussing issues related to the practice and/or business of our industries); travel blogsdesign blogs (covering issues related to design); technical blogs (nerdy stuff, like CAD tips, Rhino tutorials, programming, etc.); and general blogs.

 

Arup thoughts

Founded in 1946 with an initial focus on structural engineering, Arup first came to the world’s attention with the structural design of the Sydney Opera House, followed by its work on the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Arup has since grown into a truly multidisciplinary organisation. Most recently, its work for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing has reaffirmed its reputation for delivering innovative and sustainable designs that reinvent the built environment.

 

Blog.specifinder.com

Launched in November 2010, this blog is brought to you by specifinder.com, the building product directory from The Building Centre. The purpose of this blog is for the specifinder.com team to provide detailed news and comments on industry topics and building products.

 

British Institute of Interior Design Blog

The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) sets national professional standards, promote learning and debate and champions the value of interior design on the national and international stage.

 

Brickonomics building blog

This blog site, hosted by Building magazine, reports in trends on construction, housing and property.

 

CIC Tweet Weekly

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is a representative forum for professional bodies, research organisations and specialist businesses in the construction industry. This page provides a roundup of CIC members’ news.

 

CIRIA Network

The CIRIA network is a member-based community where professionals meet and share knowledge about specific topics relevant to construction and the built environment.

 

Construction Code

Blogging about NBS (National Building Specification) software products and BIM.

 

Construction Industry Council blog

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is the representative forum for the professional bodies, research organisations and specialist trade and business associations in the construction industry.

 

Construction Industry Podcast

The Construction Industry Podcast presents interviews, tips, trends, and other content relevant to businesses and professionals in the construction sector.  It received the 2012 Be2Award for Best Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Social Media Blog.

 

Contemporist

CONTEMPORIST is a celebration of contemporary culture, focused on architecture, design, art and travel.

 

Contracts and law blog

NBS has launched its first blog which aims to keep you up-to-date with the latest legal developments in construction, with weekly posts featuring news, tips and quotes.

 

Design Council news

 

Dezeen

It aims to highlight a carefully edited selection of the best architecture, design and interiors projects from around the world. Dezeen was launched at the end of November 2006 and has grown rapidly to become one of the most popular and influential architecture and design blogs on the internet.

 

Marley Eternit news features

Marley Eternit is part of the worldwide Etex Group and is the leading provider of roofing and cladding solutions to the construction industry. This page contains news features on issues affecting the construction industry.

 

Surveying Property

This blog considers topical issues in surveying and property related areas and also within the wider construction industry. Readers are encouraged to comment on topics and to make suggestions for future postings.

 

UK Construction blog

Blog on surveying, architecture and construction.

 

Energy

 

The Energy Collective

Described as moderated community for energy, policy, and environment professionals.

 

Energy Saving Trust

The Trust offers impartial advice to communities and households on how to reduce carbon emissions, use water more sustainably and save money on energy bills.

 

Opinion

News, views and opinions from the UK Green Building Council.

 

Renewable energy

Blog from the Guardian newspaper on renewable energy.

 

Renewable Energy featured blogs

RenewableEnergyWorld.com was started in 1998 by a group of Renewable Energy professionals who wanted their work to relate to their passion for renewable energy. They argue that they have created perhaps the single most recognized and trusted source for Renewable Energy News and Information on the Internet.

 

Top 50 alternative energy blogs

It does what it says on the tin!

 

Europe

 

Energy Cities blog

Blog from the European Association of local authorities in energy transition.

 

Euractiv Blog

The EurActiv Network of both independent and integrated offices provides free localised EU policy news in 12 languages, reaching more than 660.000 readers across Europe and beyond, every month.

 

Urbact blog

URBACT is a European exchange and learning programme (*) promoting sustainable urban development.

 

Housing

 

Chartered Institute of Housing blog

 

Guardian Housing Network Blog

Housing blog from the Guardian newspaper.

 

IHURER Research and Policy Blog

The Institute for Housing, Urban and Real Estate Research (IHURER) was set up in 2011, bringing together existing research groups within Heriot-Watt University’s School of the Built Environment (SBE), namely: Centre for Research into Socially Inclusive Services; Housing and Urban Society; and Property Economics and Investment.

 

Inside Housing blogs and opinion

 

National Housing Federation

News from the National Housing Federation on social housing.

 

The Rat and Mouse web blog

A blog with emphasis of the housing property market in London.

 

Rightmove

This is described as the UK’s largest property portal.

 

Shelter Policy blog

This blog is written by people in Shelter’s policy and campaigning teams in England. The aim is to promote discussion on housing policy issues, and the bloggers do not necessarily represent the views of Shelter.

 

Sustainable Homes

 

International planning

 

Africa Research Institute blog

The Africa Research Institute (ARI) informs domestic and international policy making by promoting best practice and progressive ideas for government, the economy and civil society. ARI shares expertise through published research and interactive events. Our innovative communications strategy is designed to present our work to a wide audience of key decision makers, institutions and individuals that can help effect sustainable and positive development.

 

The best city blogs around the world: an interactive guide

To get a better view of what’s really happening across the world, the Guardian newspaper is getting to know the local urban voices who cover their home cities most insightfully. Here is the initial list of blogs, from Detroit to Addis Ababa. Click on the pin points to reveal the blogs. 

 

Cities for people

Gehl Architects, urban quality consultants, offer expertise in the fields of architecture, urban design and city planning. Their work is based on the human dimension, the built environment’s effect on activity patterns and interaction between people. They consider the attractive and lively public realm to be one of the most important keys to quality in cities.

 

Cities recreated

An international blog by young academics covering urban planning and design, city economics, human geography and city photography.

 

Development progress

This provides a hub for ideas, debate and resources on how the world is doing on international development goals.

 

Gehl Architects

A blog from Danish-based Gehl Architects, featuring its work worldwide.

 

The Global Urbanist

The Global Urbanist is an online magazine reviewing urban affairs and urban development issues in cities throughout the developed and developing world. Its readers are drawn from the urban policy and international development sectors, and include urban planners, officers in local, national or international government agencies, civil society leaders, researchers and academics.

 

The Oriel Open Knowledge Hub

The Oriel Open Knowledge Hub is an Open Data platform for sharing and downloading digital content about development. A key aspect of the hub’s design is to raise the profile of diverse perspectives on development, paying particular attention to content from the South. The Oriel Open Knowledge Hub can be linked to other Open Knowledge initiatives and its aim is to improve the supply and accessibility of content that supports evidence-informed policy making and practice by development actors. The hub is largely being developed in collaboration with a range of organisations based in developing countries. It is anticipated that through peer support and shared learning, the Institute of Development Studies and its partners will increase their capacity to engage and innovate with Open Data and Open Content.

 

Placemaking blog

This blog from the Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit planning, design and educational organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public spaces that build stronger communities.

 

Planetizen

Planetizen is a public-interest information exchange for the urban planning, design, and development community. It is a one-stop source for urban planning news, editorials, book reviews, announcements, jobs, education, and more.

 

Urban Africa

A news resource from the African Centre for Cities at the University of Cape Town. Themes covered include: built environment, culture, economy, human rights, governance, infrastructure and sustainability.

 

Urban Gateway

The Urban Gateway is the first web platform of its kind to leverage the energy and resources of the global urban development community.  It will allow UN-HABITAT and its external partners to network, exchange knowledge, discuss issues and share opportunities related to sustainable urbanization worldwide.

 

Urbia

This is a blog from Julia Suh is a registered architect and urban strategist based in Sydney, Australia. Urbia started as documentation of Julia Suh’s observations and analyses of dense Asian cities from her independent Urban Research Sabbatical 2013. After visiting 19 European cities over 9 weeks, she was based in Asia to apply quantitative tools to understand its urban forms and provide strategic planning advice for a fair, accessible and sustainable city. Her research concluded with guest lectureship at Hanoi Architectural University, where she led lectures, seminars and studios under the title of Design for City Living.

 

Planning

 

Centre for Cities blog

Described as the first port of call for independent research and policy analysis on UK city economies.

 

Cities are good for you

A blog from writer, historian and urbanist, Leo Hollis. He studied history at university and is the author of two books on London’s history.

 

CityMetric

More than half the world’s population now live in a city. By the middle of the century, it’ll be 70%. This site has been established to explore all the topics affecting that growing slice of humanity. Focus is on matters such as infrastructure, governance and the built environment. The content is broken down into five sections: Business: finance, economics, and the corporate world;  Politics: how cities are planned, managed and governed; Transport: planes, trains and automobiles; Skylines: architecture, demographics, and the fabric of the cities around us; Horizons: a place for ideas: past, present, and especially future. The site also keeps tabs on the topics covered most frequently, and lists them in the ‘trending’ section of the menu bar.

 

Decisions, decisions, decisions

This blog focuses on urban planning, spatial economics, ecological design and decision theory.

 

Design Observer

Includes Places, an interdisciplinary journal of contemporary architecture, landscape and urbanism, with a particular focus on the public realm as both physical place and social ideal. It publishes essays, peer-reviewed scholarship, observations, reviews, visual portfolios, and occasionally poetry and fiction, with new articles appearing weekly. Change Observer is a channel of Design Observer devoted to the many dimensions of design for social innovation, developed by Winterhouse Institute with support from Rockefeller Foundation. It provides timely information about design strategies aimed globally at improving health, education, housing, and the environment, and features reportage, interviews, opinion pieces, book and exhibition reviews, a photo gallery, and a resource centre compiling information about key organizations and events.

 

Future of Cities

A blog about the Future of Cities research project, which looks at how UK cities can contribute to economic growth over the coming decades.

 

Future Spaces Foundation

The Future Spaces Foundation is an independent panel of experts that aims to explore how we can create social and economic opportunity through transforming spaces.

 

Institute of Historic Building Conservation

 

Kevin Klinkenberg

The author describes this blog as a high-level, moderated discussion for all interested in helping our cities and towns grow up. Using urban design to make our lives more enjoyable and create wealth.

 

Living Streets

Living Streets is the national charity that campaigns with and on behalf of pedestrians to create safe, attractive, enjoyable streets where it’s great to walk.

 

New London Architecture

NLA is an independent forum for debate about the future shape of the city and a permanent information resource about what’s happening in architecture, planning, development and construction across the capital.

 

Planning Blog

Blog from the fortnightly magazine, Planning.

 

Royal Town Planning Institute: Centenery blog

This is a regularly updated central hub for new ideas, reflection on policy and news,  and event coverage.

 

Social Life

The mission of Social Life is to reconnect placemaking with people’s everyday experience and the way that communities work.

 

UK Planning Law Blog

Blog from law firm Dentons.

 

Urban planning blogs

A listing of urban planning blogs.

 

Property

 

Big list of UK property blogs

 

Commercial property blog (Property Week)

 

Cushman & Wakefield: Commercial Real Estate blog

 

Derwent London

Derwent London is one of London’s most innovative office specialist property regenerators and investors and is well known for its design-led philosophy and creative management approach to development. The website includes a news section and blog.

 

Estates Gazette

Separate blogs on :

Offices

Olympics

Property law

Regeneration

Retail property

 

Facilities Management  Blog

 

From the roof

Blog from Jones Lang Lasalle.

 

Jones Lang LaSalle blog

More blogs from Jones Lang LaSalle.

 

JonesLangLasalle Green blog

 

Knight Frank blog

Blogs from Knight Frank, including coverage of the global and commercial markets.

 

Property Hawk

Blogs from landlords and buy-to-let professionals.

 

Property News

Provides regional commercial property news, expert property features and comment on the commercial property market.

 

Surveying Property

The website aims is to consider topical issues in Surveying and Property related areas and also within the wider Construction Industry.

 

Sustainable development

 

100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge

The Rockefeller Foundation launched the 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge in 2013 to enable 100 cities to better address the increasing shocks and stresses of the 21st century. Nearly 400 cities across six continents applied to be among the 100 cities selected to receive technical support and resources to improve their urban resilience over three years. This blog provides updates on the Challenge and what the Rockefeller Foundation is doing to strengthen urban resilience.

 

2degrees

2degrees is the world’s leading community for sustainable business; working together to drive efficiency and growth through being more sustainable.

 

Building4change

Building4change is an online knowledge hub freely accessible to anyone interested in sustainability, innovation, research, business and best practice in the built environment. It covers news and views from the UK and overseas, and reports on the latest news from the Building Research Establishment.

 

The City Fix

TheCityFix is an online resource for learning about the latest in sustainable urban mobility and planning. Launched in 2007, the site connects a global network of writers, urban planners, designers, engineers, and citizens who work to make cities better places to live. The blog is produced by EMBARQ, a not-for-profit program of the World Resources Institute that works to catalyse and help implement environmentally, socially, and financially sustainable transport and urban planning solutions.

 

Due South

A blog from the International Institute for Environment and Development

 

Footprint (Sustainability blog)

Blog from the Architects Journal.

 

Forum for the Future

Promotes action for a sustainable world.

 

The Guardian: Sustainable development

Blog from the Guardian newspaper.

 

Insights: WRI blog

Insights is the World Resources Institute’s thought leadership blog. Here experts provide timely commentary, news, and analysis on critical issues at the intersection of environment and human development.

 

International Institute for Environment and Development

IIED is one of the world’s most influential international development and environment policy research organisations.

 

NBS Sustainability Blog

News and views on green building and sustainable development.

 

New Cities Foundation

The New Cities Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to making cities across the world more inclusive, dynamic and creative. It aims to incubate, promote and scale urban innovations through collaborative partnerships between government, business, academia and civil society.

 

Nexus

Nexus, the research blog from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, creates a space for conversation with the broader IIASA community, policymakers, and general public. Posts are written by IIASA researchers, affiliated scientists, and science writers. Members of the broader IIASA research network may also be invited to contribute posts. IIASA is an international scientific institute that conducts research into the critical issues of global environmental, economic, technological, and social change that we face in the twenty-first century.

 

PWC Sustainability blog

Blog from Price Waterhouse Coopers

 

STEPS Centre blog

The STEPS Centre carries out interdisciplinary research projects and policy engagement activities with partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Bringing social and natural scientists together across development studies and science and technology studies, the Centre works in and across the areas of food/agriculture, health/disease, water/sanitation and energy/climate change to generate new thinking and practical solutions. The work looks at how pathways to sustainability, linking environmental integrity with social justice.

 

Sustainable Cities

A blog from the World Bank dealing with sustainable cities. Other topics covered include: Africa; Latin America; Development in a changing climate; Transport for development; Water.

 

Sustainable Cities Collective

Sustainable Cities Collective is an editorially independent, moderated community for leaders of major metropolitan areas, urban planning and sustainability professionals. It aims to aggregate content and provide resources for all who work in or are interested in urban planning, sustainable development and urban economics. Looking at issues such as transportation, building practices, community planning & development, education, water, health and infrastructure, it aims to create a community where people can get involved and learn about the advances in how cities are becoming smarter and greener in the 21st century.

 

Sustainable Cities Sustainable World

This blog is about sustainability, often in the context of cities and through issues that arise in Bristol, UK. Frequent posts to date are on: topical sustainability issues in Bristol; being green; economics; climate change; environment; sustainability; democracy; health; community.

 

Sustainable Development 2015

The Sustainable Development 2015 website provides the latest news, information and expert analysis around the global decision-making process to define a new set of global goals to eradicate poverty through sustainable development, known as the post-2015 development agenda.

 

This Big City

This Big City is an award winning online publication sharing ideas and encouraging discussion about sustainable cities since 2009.

 

URBACT blog

URBACT is a European exchange and learning programme  promoting sustainable urban development.

 

Urban re Think

Urban reThink is an online, environmental magazine which advocates sustainable and low-impact living, aiming to both inform and provide insight, and with a goal to educate and enlighten readers. Contributions and comments are welcome.

 

Worldwatch

Each blog features regular contributions from Worldwatch researchers and outside experts on the global issues that the Institute tracks, from climate change negotiations to how to feed a growing population. We invite you to engage our bloggers in dialogue on the latest news and developments in their respective research areas.

 

WWF blogs

A series of blogs on the following issues: business and government; campaigns; climate and energy; green and sustainable living; habitats; under 18s; wildlife.

 

Tourism and events

 

About Tourism

 

Amadeus Blog

Amadeus is a leading provider of IT solutions to the travel and tourism industry.

 

British Hospitality Association blog

The voice of the UK hospitality industry positively championing the interests of hotels, restaurants, catering establishments and holiday attractions.

 

Conference & Incentive Travel

C&IT’s industry bloggers share expert opinion, insight and gossip from the world of B2B meetings & events.

 

Conference News blog

 

Euromonitor International

Euromonitor International is the world leader in strategy research for consumer markets. Comprehensive international coverage and leading edge innovation make our products an essential resource for companies locally and worldwide. This blog covers travel and tourism issues.

 

Event Manager Blog

Started in April 2007, this blog is about event technology trends, innovative event concepts and social media applied to the event industry.

 

Places

This blog publishes news and comments in the fields of Place management, place  branding and marketing. This includes: Place marketing and branding; Neighbourhood management; Neighbourhood regeneration; Participation of local communities; Local economic development; Town and street management; Tourism; Destination management; Destination marketing.

 

Responsible tourism

This blog provides features from leading responsible tourism experts and writers, tackling key issues affecting the industry, from carbon emissions and community engagement to making the business case for Responsible Tourism.

 

Skiddle blog

Established on 2nd May 2001, Skiddle.com has become one of the UK’s market leading live events websites.

 

Totem Tourism

Provides news about tourism that benefits both communities and visitors.

 

Tourism around Europe

This blog is dedicated to tourism, culture, management, business within the EU perspective

 

Visit Britain superblog

 

World Travel Market Responsible Tourism Blog

This blog provides features from leading responsible tourism experts and writers, tackling key issues affecting the industry, from carbon emissions and community engagement to making the business case for responsible tourism.

 

Transport

 

London reconnections

Covers transport topics in and around London.

 

Transport Matters blog

Blog from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy which works with cities worldwide to bring about sustainable transport solutions that cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce poverty, and improve the quality of urban life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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