3rd “Policy Meets Research” Workshop on Sustainable Housing. Helsinki, 7-8 June 2012

Posted on: 18 June 2012
By: mackene
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The overriding objective of the project “CORPUS – Enhancing the Connectivity Between Research and Policy-Making in Sustainable Consumption” is to experiment with and develop new integrative modalities of knowledge brokerage at the policy-science interface. This third “Policy meets research” Workshop on sustainable housing focused on scenario building. Presentations are available online.

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Metropolisation of river basins, between threats and opportunities. Vienna, 15 May 2012

Posted on: 15 June 2012
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The International Urban Development Association (INTA), together with Central European Institute of Technology (CEIT), organised a one-day round-table hosted at the 17th Real Corp International Conference in Austria. This international event represents the occasion to explore the new dimensions of urban development along river basins. Several fascinating cases have been identified that provide solutions to the questions raised by the metropolisation process. Policy makers, urban stakeholders and practitioners were there to inspire an imaginative and critic approach to future policy development. Thematic issue that were explored included: How such corridor can foster regional interactions; How sharing a river basin can be leverage for a coherent and cohesive development; How to maintain a balanced urban growth together with the protection of natural corridors; Which integrated governance mechanism allows sharing large infrastructural equipments along a river basin; How to develop different scales of connection fostering urban and regional interactions along the river and within the territories around. Presentations, a final report, and background documentation are available online.

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Implementing the Aarhus Convention today: Paving the way for a better environment and governance tomorrow, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 22-23 May 2012

Posted on: 15 June 2012
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This subregional meeting for Central Asian countries was organised jointly by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). This subregional meeting comprised two parallel workshops with several joint sessions: The first workshop “Greening Justice and the role of the Judiciary in this process” brought together senior judges and representatives from judicial training institutions, as well as environmental law experts, to discuss the legal aspects of access to justice and the role of the judiciary in implementing and enforcing the Convention; The second workshop “How to implement the Aarhus Convention: learning practical experiences” provided a platform for dialogue between representatives from Aarhus Centres and governmental, non-governmental and international organisations to discuss challenges in the practical implementation of the three pillars of the Aarhus Convention and to learn good practices. Presentations are available online.

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RICS Real Estate Action Law and Practice Conference. London, 13 June 2012

Posted on: 14 June 2012
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This conference, in its second year, looks at all the legal aspects of an auction from both perspectives and at the regulations auctioneers and solicitors need to follow in the auction process. Presentations are available online.

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Retrofitting to manage surface water management. London, 24 April 2012

Posted on: 31 May 2012
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Retrofitting surface water management can provide exciting opportunities to manage local flood risk, diffuse water pollution and can deliver urban design and amenity benefits. To encourage the uptake of retrofit solutions, CIRIA recently published Retrofitting to manage surface water (C713) guidance. This guide deliberately challenges many of the current conventions applied to managing surface water runoff and puts urban design at the heart of future solutions. The new guide deals with the engineering aspects of retrofitting surface water management measures, covers the organisational and governance aspects of drainage and looks at the need for adequate funding. The guidance also focuses on appraisal approaches, how different agencies can work better together, public expectations and why delivering multiple benefits are important. Three launch events were held in Bristol, London and Leeds, and delegates gained an overview of the work completed and how this has drawn on experiences from both the UK and overseas. Presentations from the London event are available on video while interviews with a number of industry experts can be seen here.

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The 24th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for South Asia and the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific. Chiang Mai, Thailand, 3-5 May 2012

Posted on: 31 May 2012
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At this meeting, the World Tourism Organisation presented the analysis of its long-term forecast for international tourism, Tourism Towards 2030. Special emphasis was placed on the latest findings in the Asia-Pacific region. Presentations and background information are available online.

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UNWTO High-Level Regional Conference on Green Tourism. Chiang Mai, Thailand, 8 May 2012

Posted on: 31 May 2012
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The World Tourism Organization organised this meeting in order to introduce the main findings of the recent UN research on tourism as a green economy sector and highlight the main challenges and opportunities facing the public and private sector.  The conference also aimed to present national experiences on how sustainable development of tourism and green economy can go hand-in-hand with sustaining economic development in Asia and the Pacific. Presentations are available online.

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Adaptation futures: 2012 International Conference on Climate Adaptation. Tucson, Arizona, 29-31 May 2012

Posted on: 31 May 2012
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Co-hosted and convened by the University of Arizona, and by UNEP’s Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation (PROVIA), the conference focused on adaptation to climate variability and change. The conference brought together researchers, policy makers, and practitioners from developed and developing countries to share insights into the challenges and opportunities that adaptation presents.  It provided a showcase for cutting-edge research from around the world, focusing on themes of equity and risk, learning, capacity building, methodology, adaptation finance and investment, and ecosystem based adaptation approaches. Abstracts are available online.

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Sustainable Development Goals – Feasible, desirable or a leap too far? London, 8 May 2012

Posted on: 30 May 2012
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At this event convened by two of the UK’s leading international development organisations, the Overseas Development Institute and the Institute of Development Studies, a panel of experts discussed the desirability and feasibility of SDGs and explore how they might fit into the wider context of what replaces the Millennium Development Goals in 2015. Audio files from the event are available online.

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RICS launches new construction standards. London 24 April 2012

Posted on: 30 May 2012
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At this event the RICS released new guidance for quantity surveyors and other members working in the construction sector. The guidance includes an updated version of New Rules of Management (NRM) 1: Order of Cost Estimating and Cost Planning for Capital Building Works and the new NRM 2: Detailed Measurement for Building Works alongside two new guidance notes looking at conflict avoidance and dispute resolution and retention, which will form part of the RICS construction standards (the Black Book).

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