Urban Research Unit

Posted on: 31 January 2013
By: mackene
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Grimshaw and Futurecity have announced the launch of their Urban Research Unit (URU). This is a one-year research project which seeks to influence the architecture, masterplanning, public realm, and the external relationships needed to design new urban spaces of scale, ambition and quality. Established in New York and London, this joint initiative will consider and challenge the conventional approach used to plan and develop contemporary urban centres. URU will develop a toolkit of key issues and considerations to be applied as New York and London’s urban environments prepare for the future.

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London: Hub city

Posted on: 31 January 2013
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This blog from Jolyon Brewis, Chief Executive of Grimshaw, presents an argument for London as a hub city. He argues that we may see two types of aviation hub developing in the future: ‘Hub Airports’ that are relatively remote from conurbations, offering high throughput and quick transfer connections, and ‘Hub Cities’ where a variety of passenger demands is recognised, and a more integrated transport strategy is pursued. He  believes that London has the opportunity to pursue the latter, and become the world’s first Hub City.

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World Tourism Barometer: January 2013

Posted on: 31 January 2013
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The World Tourism Organisation has published the latest World Tourism Barometer, showing that international tourist arrivals grew by 4% in 2012 to reach 1.035 billion, a record number. Emerging economies (+4.1%) regained the lead over advanced economies (+3.6%), with Asia and the Pacific showing the strongest results. Growth is expected to continue in 2013 only slightly below the 2012 level (+3% to +4%).

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Code of Considerate Practice

Posted on: 31 January 2013
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From the 1st January 2013, the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) will be assessing all registered sites and companies against a new five-point Code of Considerate Practice. This article outlines the changes.

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Research uptake and impact: are we in danger of overstating ourselves?

Posted on: 31 January 2013
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Wary of the pressure that researchers are under to demonstrate impact, Louise Shaxson, Research Fellow in the Research and Policy in Development (RAPID) programme at the Overseas Development Institute, injects a dose of realism into the debate around what that impact ought to look like. Researchers must provide clear policy messages, carefully define the relevance of their research, be realistic about what can be achieved, and be clear about whether they’re practising research communication or advocacy.

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Infrastructure Procurement Routemap: a guide to improving delivery capability

Posted on: 31 January 2013
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The Government has published for consultation a set of guidelines and tools to support public and private sector infrastructure providers’ capability to improve the delivery of large scale projects and programmes. Developed by Infrastructure UK in collaboration with industry and academics from the University of Leeds, it provides a valuable guide for infrastructure clients. It provides for the first time a coherent approach to assessing and building an effective delivery environment, combining best practice tools and case study examples such as Crossrail. Comments are requested by 22 April 2013.

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Aviation report: Market based mechanism to curb greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation

Posted on: 31 January 2013
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A global system to regulate runaway greenhouse gas emissions from aviation is technically and economically feasible and could help address climate change, according to a new WWF report. The report outlines four options, and weighs their pros and cons, to develop a global system to regulate emissions from aircraft.

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Holcim Awards for sustainable construction

Posted on: 31 January 2013
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The Holcim Awards is an international competition that recognizes innovative projects and future-oriented concepts on regional and global levels. A total of USD 2 million in prize money is awarded in each three-year cycle. The competition seeks projects that demonstrate an ability to stretch conventional notions about sustainable building and also balance environmental, social and economic performance – while also exemplifying architectural excellence and a high degree of transferability. The latest issue of Foundations magazine is dedicated to the activities of the Holcim Foundation over the past year including the Global Holcim Awards Gold prize hand-over that took place last December in Burkina Faso, West Africa. The magazine also provides an overview of the five further winners that were acknowledged at global prize handover events held around the world.

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Road freight transport by journey characteristics

Posted on: 31 January 2013
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This article presents road freight transport in the European Union regarding the type of transport operation performed. It presents total, national and international transport performed, with a special focus on international road freight transport. It presents also average loads carried and average distances on which goods are moved.

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Renewable energy policy in cities: Selected case studies

Posted on: 31 January 2013
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Around the world, only a relatively few number of local governments have developed policies and mechanisms specifically aimed at utilising renewable energy resources. These seven case studies present different policy tools available to local governments to harvest the renewable energy potential.

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