Green growth: Implications for development planning

Posted on: 11 August 2011
By: mackene
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The Climate & Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) aims to help decision makers in developing countries design and deliver climate compatible development. A challenge for CDKN’s core audience, national planners and policy makers in developing countries, is incorporating ‘green growth’ into a rigorous policy planning process. This guide by CDKN aims to support national planners and policy makers in the green growth planning process by focusing on the key role of economics and economic tools.

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District heating: Good practice

Posted on: 9 August 2011
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A Homes and Communities Agency programme to evaluate the effectiveness of district heating systems has concluded they can offer a range of benefits. A report on the low carbon infrastructure fund has found it can benefit communities, residents and developers when used in the right way. The low carbon infrastructure fund was a joint initiative from the HCA and the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Launched in 2009, it initially allocated £21 million to 13 projects to allow them to connect homes to district heating networks. A further £5 million was allocated to three more projects later in the year. The evaluation published today examines lessons from the initial 13 schemes. It finds district heating can cut carbon emissions, and reduce fuel and maintenance costs. It also finds communities benefit from a sense of belonging to a shared network. The report sets out lessons for future schemes, such as the importance of linking carbon reduction targets to stages in the planning process, and the need for greater understanding between commercial energy companies and local authorities.

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Urban regeneration and social sustainability

Posted on: 9 August 2011
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Urban regeneration is a key focus for public policy throughout Europe. A book was launched at the LSE on 29 June 2011, providing an examination of social sustainability through the analysis of its meaning and significance. The authors aim to offer a comprehensive European perspective to identify best practice in sustainable urban regeneration in five major cities in Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, and the UK. A video of the launch event is available online.

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Ground related requirements for new housing

Posted on: 8 August 2011
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In November 2010, NHBC Foundation undertook workshops to look at the issues facing the industry in potentially conflicting requirements for ground related works. This publications highlights the outcomes of these workshops.

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Westfield Stratford City: The inheritance before the Games

Posted on: 8 August 2011
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Volterra Consulting has been commissioned by Westfield to consider the economic benefits which will be created by Stratford City. Stratford City is a mixed use development in Newham, East London, which is being developed by Westfield. The whole mixed use scheme will include retail and leisure space, two hotels and a significant commercial district, along with housing and community facilities. Construction began in 2007 and the whole project is planned for completion in 2020. The retail element of Stratford City is due to open in September 2011. Comprising 1.9 million square feet of retail and leisure space, it will be the largest urban shopping centre in Europe. This report aims to investigate the impact on the Stratford, London and the UK economies of this major investment.

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Enhancing graduate impact in business and management, hospitality, leisure, sport and tourism

Posted on: 8 August 2011
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This is the fifth in the Enhancing series, a book of case studies commissioned by The Higher Education Academy Subject Centres for Hospitality, Leisure Sport and Tourism (HLST), and Business, Management, Accountancy and Finance (BMAF).  [loaded 8 August 2011]

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Guide to installation of renewable energy systems on roofs of residential buildings

Posted on: 8 August 2011
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Homes could be severely damaged if roof mounted renewable technologies are not installed effectively, according to a new guide from the NHBC Foundation. The guide explains how, in the absence of specific UK or European standards, there is confusion over best practice in installation, and  in some cases leading to failures and significant damage to homes. The guide provides installers, housebuilders and homeowners with a number of appropriate methods for installing renewable energy systems safely and effectively to avoid any compromise the built fabric of the house.

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Adaptation and Resilience (Climate Change): report for 2009-10

Posted on: 8 August 2011
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This paper presents the results from a pilot study which aims to identify and measure a defined set of environmental Adaptation and Resilience activities, in relation to Climate Change, (A&RCC) in the UK economy. An initial list of A&RCC activities to be investigated as per Defra’s advice were considered, these included: Construction and retrofit; urban environment redesign and re-engineering; sustainable drainage and water management; energy storage infrastructure resilience; transport infrastructure and logistics resilience; and water irrigation.

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