State of the World 2013: Is sustainability still possible?

Posted on: 19 April 2013
By: mackene
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In the latest edition of the Worldwatch Institute’s State of the World series, scientists, policy experts, and thought leaders attempt to restore meaning to sustainability as more than just a marketing tool. Experts define clear sustainability metrics and examine various policies and perspectives, including geoengineering, corporate transformation, and changes in agricultural policy, that could put us on the path to prosperity without diminishing the well-being of future generations. If these approaches fall short, the final chapters explore ways to prepare for drastic environmental change and resource depletion, such as strengthening democracy and societal resilience, protecting cultural heritage, and dealing with increased conflict and migration flows. A separate report has also been published looking at the issues facing urban youth. This can be found here.

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Global Monitoring Report 2013: Rural-Urban Dynamics and the Millennium Development Goals

Posted on: 19 April 2013
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The Global Monitoring Report (GMR), jointly produced by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), is an annual report card on the world’s progress toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Now in its 10th edition, the GMR also outlines prospects for the attainment of the MDGs and assesses the support of the international community. Each annual report has a thematic focus, an aspect of the development agenda on which the GMR provides a more in-depth assessment. The theme of GMR 2013 is rural-urban disparities in development and ways urbanization can better help achieve the MDGs.

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Housing standards and satisfaction: What the public wants

Posted on: 18 April 2013
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Exclusive research by Ipsos MORI for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has revealed strong public support for the introduction of minimum space standards for new build homes across England. The RIBA research, an independent gauge of customer attitudes to housing, has been published as the Government prepares to make an announcement on its crucial Review of Housing Standards in England within the coming weeks, which could result in current housing standards being reduced or abolished. The research has been revealed to coincide with the launch of a website Without Space and Light  to empower people to demand their local MP supports the RIBA’s HomeWise campaign for national minimum standards on space and natural light.

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Mixed streets

Posted on: 18 April 2013
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The Winter 2013 issue of Urban Design is now available online. The theme of this issue is that of mixed streets. Articles explore: Multiple Centrality Assessment as a tool to map the centrality of urban street spaces (existing and new) in order to reveal those most likely to support complex mixed use; an analysis of London’s suburbs which demonstrates both the great interconnectedness of traditional suburban high streets, and the diverse mix of activities (not just retail) that this has given rise to, and which these streets still support; the US Complete Streets initiative is discussed showing that the problem of change is not merely a technical one, but instead represents a much more complex and profound political and cultural challenge; four international case studies where the huge strategic potential of these mixed corridor spaces is being debated and/or actively harnessed as part of the strategic design of cities.

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Bedroom Tax

Posted on: 18 April 2013
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With the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) coming under fire for its stance on the bedroom tax, Gavin Smart, Director of PoLicy and Practice at the CIH,  explains its position.

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Charles Landry

Posted on: 18 April 2013
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Charles Landry is an international authority on the use of imagination and creativity in urban change. He helps cities identify and make the most of their resources and to reach their potential by triggering their inventiveness and thinking. His aim is to help cities become more resilient, self-sustaining and to punch above their weight. His work is highlighted in his updated website. He is working on four themes:How you make great cities; The idea of ‘civic urbanity’, which seeks to rethink urbanity in 21st century terms; The creative bureaucracy concept, which looks at how public administrations can reassess how they operate afresh; and The ‘creative cities index’, which is a way to measure the pulse of a city and its imaginative capacity.

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The impact of the internet on retail property

Posted on: 18 April 2013
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This report from Aviva Investors argues that the growth of online retailing is affecting retail real estate dynamics and investment.

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European Commission action on adaptation to climate change

Posted on: 18 April 2013
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The European Commission yesterday presented a package consisting of two parts: The EU strategy on adaptation to climate change sets out a framework and mechanisms for taking the EU’s preparedness for current and future climate impacts to a new level; and, in a related measure, the Commission also adopted a Green Paper on insurance in the context of natural and man-made disasters.

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Conversion of offices to housing

Posted on: 18 April 2013
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This article considers proposed changes to regulations for converting offices to residential.

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London: The capital in focus

Posted on: 18 April 2013
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The latest supplement from Estates Gazette on the London property market.

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