Come and meet us
Opening times
Visit the School
Retail Supplement
Posted on: 19 September 2012
By: mackene
No Comments »
Filed under: News
This supplement, published by Estates Gazette, reports on how the internet has had a lot of impact on the retail market, being blamed for shop closures and changing shoppers habits. It also considers whether it could also now have an effect on turnover rents, which form the basis of a majority of leases. Other retail stories are included in this issue.
The Crystal: A sustainable cities initiative
Posted on: 18 September 2012
By: mackene
No Comments »
Filed under: News
The Crystal is a sustainable cities initiative by Siemens that explores how we can create a better future for our cities. It is home to the world’s largest exhibition focused on urban sustainability. Based in the Royal Victoria Docks, the centre of London’s new Green Enterprise District, the Crystal is a natural home for thought leadership on urban sustainability. It provides a global knowledge hub that helps a diverse range of audiences learn and understand how we can all work to build better cities for ourselves and for future generations. Experts on urban sustainability will be available to exchange ideas, while a dynamic conference programme will foster dialogue between stakeholders. The website also provides access to research sponsored by Siemens, including the Green City Index. The Crystal opens to the public on 29 September 2012.
The European Metropolitan network Institute
Posted on: 18 September 2012
By: mackene
No Comments »
Filed under: News
The European Metropolitan network Institute (EMI) has developed a Knowledge and Research Agenda on the actual problems cities and metropolitan areas come across when implementing policies to stimulate sustainable urban transport. It is argued that until now, research findings are insufficient to lead cities to more sustainable mobility systems. To contribute to this process and take the agenda a step further, EMI is actively engaged in building a broad Multiannual Knowledge and Research programme with a consortium of cities and their stakeholders. A report on the EMI Knowledge and Research Agenda, based on a year-long intensive search for the most imminent research needs, as articulated by urban practitioners and academics, is available. One of the outcomes outlined in this agenda is that, when it comes to sustainable urban mobility, city policy-makers tend to focus on citizen behaviour, land-use planning and governance, whereas academic researchers are especially interested in regulation and pricing issues. City practitioners and academic researchers both feel more research is needed on the following themes: Lifestyle and behaviour, urban space and scale; regulation and pricing; ITS and technology; and governance.
POLYCE: Metropolisation and Polycentric Development in Central Europe. Vienna, 1 June 2012
Posted on: 18 September 2012
By: mackene
No Comments »
Filed under: Events presentations
POLYCE stands for ‘Metropolisation and Polycentric Development in Central Europe’. It is a research project financed by the European Commission and conducted by an international consortium of universities and research institutes in Central Europe. The project analyses metropolisation and polycentric development processes in five Central European metropolitan regions of Bratislava, Budapest, Ljubljana, Prague, and Vienna. Potential future development paths are compiled for the five metropolises to tap their cooperative potentials and competitive position. Minutes of the final conference are available online.
A guide to off-site construction for academies and schools
Posted on: 18 September 2012
By: mackene
No Comments »
Filed under: News
In this article, Simon Ambler, Director of Yorkon, looks at the latest advances in off-site construction, and how the approach is helping academies deliver world class education facilities more effectively. He also provides 10 practical tips on how to Select an off-site specialist.
The Glass House: Community-led design
Posted on: 18 September 2012
By: mackene
No Comments »
Filed under: News
This is a national charity that gives both communities and regeneration professionals the skills and confidence to lead and contribute to design and neighbourhood planning that involves and benefits local people. The result is better collaboration between communities and professionals and more intelligent, dynamic and sustainable places. It also uses its experience of supporting neighbourhood projects throughout the UK to promote discussion and to influence policy and practice around community led design.
Unpublished research reports: Planning, building and the environment
Posted on: 18 September 2012
By: mackene
No Comments »
Filed under: News
Department for Communities and Local Government is publishing the thirteenth group of reports presenting the findings from research projects commissioned by the previous administration. The present administration inherited a significant backlog of unpublished reports that were commissioned by the previous government which are now being published in groups themed on a particular topic. The reports are:
Evaluation of minerals policy statements: This report by the British Geological Survey considered the implementation of a number of the Minerals Policy Statements and Minerals Policy Guidance notes, and evaluated the impacts of the policy’s implementation.
Investigating the influence of settlement pattern and morphology on the sterilisation of shallow coal resources: This report by the British Geological Survey assessed the impact on shallow coal resources of using separation zones around urban areas.
Research to understand the rural impacts of Regional Spatial Strategies: This report by Land Use Consultants noted that the Regional Strategies were not rural proofed, had an urban-centred approach and planned housing provision in rural areas was on a declining trend.
A quality local development management service: The last Government’s Killian Pretty Report recommended that Government should review the then existing national planning indicator (National Indicator 157) on timeliness for progressing planning applications and proposed a new satisfaction with the planning application service indicator. There was concern from applicants, local planning authorities and others that the performance regime focused on the 8 and 13 week timescale targets had unintended effects on behaviours and outcomes. In response the Department commissioned research into alternatives. The research report by Addison & Associates with Arup recommended monitoring 37 different indicators.
A tool to assess the Impact of EU Directives on UK Sub National Planning Policies: This research by Ove Arup aimed to develop a tool to assess the impact of future EU directives on national planning policies.
Mapping the standard of existing stock and its turnover: This report by Building Research Establishment considered the work to develop a model of the existing housing stock in England and Wales, which could be used in assessing the impact of current and future policy in relation to energy use, carbon emissions and water consumption.
Case studies of change of use of dwellings: This report by Faber Maunsell looked at achieving satisfactory acoustic performance for buildings to be converted from industry or commercial use to residential use. Although sound insulation was the main concern of this project, all other relevant requirements of the Building Regulations were to be considered and methods of compliance outlined.
Lessons from Stamford Brook: Understanding the gap between designed and real performance: This report by Leeds Metropolitan University conveyed the results of a research designed to evaluate the extent to which low carbon housing standards could be achieved in a large commercial housing development and incorporated into future Building Regulations.
Investigation of real fires: This report by the Building Research Establishment provided feedback on the performance of real buildings in real fires. The findings noted the overall effectiveness of the Building Regulations in providing for the safety of life in the event of fire and most of the significant issues that have been identified during this study fell outside the scope of these regulations.
Modelling the current and potential accessibility of the housing stock: This report by Building Research Establishment considered the accessibility of the existing housing stock in England with particular reference to its utility for older and disabled people. The report uses data from the English Housing Condition Survey to identify the frequency and suitability of a range of built features within homes to arrive at an overall assessment of their accessibility and future adaptability.
Future administration of the Energy Performance Buildings Directive Quality Assurance regime: The objective of the work was to set the long term standards and quality assurance arrangements for the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (regime and infrastructure, including Accreditation Schemes (and energy assessors, to ensure that robust, repeatable and accurate Energy Performance Certificates, Display Energy Certificates and Air Conditioning Reports were produced in a consistent manner.
Review of the impact of the draft European Basic safety standard Directive on Building Regulations; This report by the Building Research Establishment examines the implications of the proposed European ionising radiation Basic Safety Standard Directive for Building Regulations.
Glazing under abnormal loads: This report by Buro Happold and the Building Research Establishment addressed the issue of abnormal loads on glazing and the response of glazing systems. The research was commissioned in particular to examine the role of building regulations in mitigating the risks involved from abnormal loads on glazing. It reviewed structural assessment methods currently used to design buildings with glazed systems and assess their adequacy in the area of abnormal loadings.
Safety of Masonry Parapets: The overall aim of this project was to determine and analyse the most common structural problems associated with masonry parapets and the potential hazards and dangers that may arise. Having identified the problems, conclusions and recommendations require to be made regarding measures that ought to be taken in the specification, design, construction and maintenance of masonry parapets to ensure that they remained safe and structurally sound over the service life of the building.
Radon: Current and future performance of radon protective measures. This report by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) reviews the performance of radon protective measures in new buildings. The research notes that radon protection measures installed 20 years continue to provide a high degree of radon protection, and were not adversely affected by improvements such as extensions, conservatories, double glazing or insulation.
Catalyst Councils: A new future for local public service delivery
Posted on: 17 September 2012
By: mackene
No Comments »
Filed under: News
Localis, in partnership with Capita Symonds (part of Capita plc), has published a major report that predicts that the local government sector will face irrevocable change and that instead of the ‘traditional’ council that does everything itself, a more diverse approach will see councils working with a patchwork of organisations from across the public, private and voluntary sectors to deliver the local services that communities rely on waste collection, road maintenance, social care, planning, housing, environmental health etc.
A better deal for public building
Posted on: 17 September 2012
By: mackene
No Comments »
Filed under: News
A report from the All Party group for Public Excellence presents the findings of an inquiry into achieving best value in the procurement of construction work.
Why aren’t we building enough attractive homes: Myths, misunderstandings and solutions
Posted on: 17 September 2012
By: mackene
No Comments »
Filed under: News
The Policy Exchange has published a paper which suggests that large developers are ‘playing’ an outdated planning system and fooling the government into potentially wasting taxpayers’ money propping up land prices. The report recommends wholesale changes to the planning system to end ‘land banking’, give local people planning control and get more good new homes built.
What’s new
What’s new and Events presentations archive
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011