Living London: Green infrastructure explained

Posted on: 22 May 2013
By: mackene
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This is a guide for CPRE London members and local London groups about what green infrastructure is and why it is important for London.  It includes case studies about promoting wellbeing, biodiversity, landscape management, and climate resilience. It has further links to key organisations, in-depth guides and funding opportunities for promoting and protecting London’s precious green spaces locally.

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Valuation of historic buildings in the UK

Posted on: 22 May 2013
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The RICS has published a draft information paper  which examines the principles of valuation as they apply to historic properties and, in particular, provides an overview of the issues facing valuers appraising such assets. The key aims are to: outline the key factors to be considered when undertaking the valuation of historic properties and assets and their potential effect on value; consider the relationship between the principal methodologies and the valuation of historic properties; and identify and signpost sources of information and guidance relevant for the valuation of historic properties or assets. Comments are requested by 17 June 2013.

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KPMG Green Tax Index

Posted on: 21 May 2013
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KPMG has created The Green Tax Index to increase awareness of the complex, fragmented and rapidly evolving green tax landscape worldwide. It aims to encourage companies to explore the opportunities of green tax incentives, and to reduce exposure to green tax penalties. Areas covered include: energy efficiency; green buildings; carbon and climate change; green vehicles; water efficiency; and waste management.

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Dubai under the microscope

Posted on: 21 May 2013
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Examines the performance of the Dubai hotel market.

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Global construction disputes: A longer resolution

Posted on: 21 May 2013
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Legal disputes in the construction industry now take over a year to be resolved, according to study from EC Harris, the global built asset consultancy.  EC Harris found that construction disputes are taking, on average, 12.8months to be settled compared to 10.6months the previous year, an increase of 20%. This is EC Harris’s third annual study into the duration, value, common causes and resolutions of construction disputes across the globe during 2012.

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European Metromonitor

Posted on: 21 May 2013
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LSE Cities has launched a new free online resource, supported by the Higher Education Innovation Fund, which shows the impact of economic recession and recovery in over 150 of Europe’s largest metropolitan areas. Drawing on forecasting data previously unavailable to the public, the European MetroMonitor features an interactive map, offering users the chance to browse data visualisations showing how the financial crisis has affected European cities. The European Metromonitor, currently in Beta mode, will be developed in the coming months to include expert commentaries and city-level case studies. The website will also allow public, private and third sector stakeholders to interact with the platform to share their local perspectives on the impact of the current economic recession.

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Foundation Facts: Issue 7

Posted on: 21 May 2013
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Foundation Facts reports on research and guidance carried out by the National House Building Council (NHBC) Foundation, showcasing the most recent publications and reporting on progress with new research projects.

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Recent OECD work on adaptation to climate change

Posted on: 17 May 2013
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This brochure provides an overview of recent and ongoing OECD work on adaptation to climate change, which is organised around three pillars: i) Mainstreaming adaptation in development co-operation; ii) Economic aspects of adaptation; and iii) Adaptation in developed countries.

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Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2013

Posted on: 17 May 2013
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The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has launched the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction, the UN flagship publication on global disaster risk and disaster risk management. The third edition of this biennial publication, titled, From shared risk to shared value: the business case for disaster risk reduction, highlights how the transformation of the global economy over the last forty years has led to rapid increases in disaster risk in low, medium and high income countries, affecting businesses and societies. A number of background papers are also available.

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The politics of transport infrastructure policies in Colombia

Posted on: 17 May 2013
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This paper analyses the Policy-Making Process (PMP) of transport infrastructure projects in Colombia for the period 2002-10. It aims to identify the main bottlenecks to improve the implementation of public policies in the main phases of the transport infrastructure policy cycle, namely planning, budgeting, execution, and monitoring and evaluation. The main results draw three conclusions. Firstly, there is a need to improve the planning and prioritisation stages of roads construction. Secondly, information problems affect monitoring and evaluation. Finally, the institutional weakness in the transport sector causes co-ordination failures between different transport modes (horizontal level) as well as inadequate separation of responsibilities and management of resources between national and sub-national governments (vertical level). This paper contributes to the research studying the PMP in Latin American economies.

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