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Slum tourism and city branding in Medellin
Posted on: 29 January 2013
By: mackene
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Filed under: News
Since the 1990s the second biggest city of Colombia, Medellin, is undertaking programmes and projects in informal settlements, to try integrate them both physically and socially to the urban fabric. Public space upgrade and community services such as schools and libraries designed by prestigious architects have enriched the atmosphere and to some extent the quality of life, in these impoverished areas. To the point that the barrios of Medellin are commonly visited not only by Colombians but also by international visitors who want to see first-hand the projects and how the settlements and the city have changed. Medellin, perhaps without noticing or anticipating, has found a role for informal settlements in branding the city, and promoting the tourism to those areas. Read this article for more information.
Green Deal goes live
Posted on: 29 January 2013
By: mackene
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The government has launched the Green Deal which provides people with the opportunity to transform their homes by paying for energy efficient home improvements with the savings on their energy bills. With buildings in Britain among the least efficient in the world, the Green Deal aims to provide homes and businesses with a new way of paying for energy efficient improvements such as insulation and new heating systems.
Improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings. Specification for installation process, process management and service provision (PAS 2030)
Posted on: 29 January 2013
By: mackene
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BSI, the business standards organisation, has published an update to PAS 2030, the standard which supports the Green Deal policy, encouraging the implementation of energy efficiency measures within existing households and businesses. Working with industry experts, BSI has reviewed and amended the standard to coincide with the first Green Deals being signed from January 28th, 2013. The updated PAS 2030 standard builds on the existing 26 permitted measures (which already cover heating, insulation and glazing) by adding a further 12 permissible energy efficiency measures either in the form of new annexes or through amendments to existing annexes.
Worldwide Observatory on Climate Think Tanks
Posted on: 29 January 2013
By: mackene
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The International Centre for Climate Governance (ICCG) has launched a new website featuring an interactive ‘Think Tank Map’ tool, which illustrates the different think tanks active in the field of climate change governance around the world. Using this tool, it is possible to search the projects of different think tanks, and view think tank statistics, updated in real-time.
High speed rail: investing in Britain’s future phase two – the route to Leeds, Manchester and beyond
Posted on: 29 January 2013
By: mackene
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The government has announced its initial preferences for phase two of HS2, extending the route north of Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.
Transport elasticities: Impacts on travel behaviour
Posted on: 29 January 2013
By: mackene
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Understanding transport demand and transport elasticities is crucial to support sustainable travel behaviour. The new GIZ-SUTP Technical Document explains the key factors affecting travel demand and its responsiveness. The aim of the paper is to help understand travel demand and provide practical orientation on how travel behaviour can be improved. The document introduces the concept of transport elasticity and provides an overview of the key transport elasticities. More sustainable travel patterns can be achieved through the implementation of effective policy measures that influence the responsiveness of travel demand to various transport options.
Advancing the climate change negotiations: issues to consider
Posted on: 29 January 2013
By: mackene
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This paper considers opportunities for advancing the climate negotiations and related issues. This includes the expert dialogue on the 2013-2015 review, ministerial events, loss and damage, and equity. The paper points out the importance of the expert dialogue that is meant to ensure the scientific integrity of the 2013-2015 review, noting that this may be a challenge for the two co-facilitators. It considers issues related to UNFCCC negotiations on loss and damage, including some potential negotiating risks. In conclusion the paper considers the outlook for COP 21 in 2015, when a new agreement is due to be concluded.
Permitted development rights for change of use from commercial to residential
Posted on: 28 January 2013
By: mackene
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The Government is introducing new permitted development rights that will allow office space to be converted into new homes without the need for planning permission from the local authority. The permitted development right, to be introduced in Spring 2013, will be in place for 3 years, and because local circumstances vary, local authorities will have an opportunity to seek an exemption if they can demonstrate there would be substantial adverse economic consequences.
The city at eye level: Lessons for street plinths
Posted on: 28 January 2013
By: mackene
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Rotterdam/ Amsterdam- based urban planning firm, Stipo B.V has issued a new, a collaborative effort of five editors and 43 professional contributors from the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Demark, USA, UK and Germany, It examines the concepts, philosophy, and strategies behind planning the ground floors (“plinths”) of urban environments. Interviews, case studies, and first-‐hand stories highlight important examples of best practices from cities in the Netherlands (in particular, Rotterdam) as well as Copenhagen, Antwerp, San Francisco, and elsewhere.
Who lives in the private rented sector? Analysis of households’ characteristics
Posted on: 28 January 2013
By: mackene
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The first section of the report outlines the characteristics of the private rented sector (PES), its growth and the drivers affecting its change. The analysis then turns to the characteristics of households living in the sector, before using cluster analysis to identify key sub-sectors in terms of household types. The trends in these characteristics and sub-sectors are tracked over the last ten years. Finally, the implications of the research are discussed in terms of the needs of the different sub-sectors and how the PRS can adapt to meet these more effectively.
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