Review of international research on structural robustness and disproportionate collapse

Posted on: 7 October 2011
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This research report concludes an extensive international literature review into robustness and disproportionate collapse in structures undertaken on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure. The first element was an appraisal of the different building risk classification systems in use for different purposes around the world, appraising the merits and disadvantages of each. The second element of the study was a review of the basic design methods which could be used, namely prescriptive methods, alternative load path analysis, risk-based approaches, and key element-type local hardening or specific local resistance methods. Thirdly, consideration was given to the application of these approaches in the different codes, good practice guidance and other design material in use around the world, and conclusions drawn on deficiencies either in the design guidance or the underlying knowledge. Fourthly, specific consideration was given to the behaviour of different structural materials and the state of knowledge about each, including a brief discussion of the approaches currently in use for each material and the mechanisms of resistance available to the designer when designing for resistance against collapse. The fifth and final element of the study comprised a brief appraisal of the potential for learning from other areas of engineering such as nuclear, seismic, structural fire and offshore engineering. Conclusions from all five elements of the study led to 28 recommendations being made.

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Hong Kong Grade A office market report

Posted on: 7 October 2011
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RICS believes that the supply of the right type of office space is crucial to facilitate the sustainable development of Hong Kong as a world class city. This report, commissioned by RICS, begins with an overview of the supply and demand dynamics (both short-term and long term) in Hong Kong’s Grade A office market. This sets the scene for addressing the potential shortage of available office space in Hong Kong and the potential impact on businesses in Hong Kong and the sustainable development of Hong Kong as a world class city. The report also compares and contrasts office demand by districts/locations (CBD versus decentralised locations), including tenant profiling on key business district. This includes a discussion on the key success factors and the likely demand drivers for office space in these locations. The report also identifies global trends influencing specific types of industry demand and its impact on the nature of use of office space. It also reviews how other major cities have experienced and subsequently addressed acute shortages of supply of office. This includes a review on other global financial centres and their approach to developing new office locations.

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Guidance on the design and construction of sustainable, low carbon mixed use buildings

Posted on: 6 October 2011
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The last in the series of the five Target Zero Guidance reports is now available. The report contains invaluable information for professionals responsible for the design of mixed-use buildings. Its findings demonstrate that the 2010 Part L compliance target of reducing operational carbon emissions by 25% is readily achievable using a package of compatible, cost-effective energy efficiency measures. The study provides guidance for the fifth of the five building types covered by the Target Zero project, the mixed-use building, which comprises office and hotel accommodation. The report investigates three priority areas of sustainable construction: operational carbon emissions, BREEAM assessment rating and embodied carbon. Target Zero is a programme of work, funded by Tata Steel and the British Constructional Steelwork Association, to provide guidance on the design and construction of sustainable, low and zero carbon buildings in the UK. Five non-domestic building types have been analysed: a school, a distribution warehouse, a supermarket, a medium to high rise office and a mixed-use building.

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ISA Benchmarking Report 2011

Posted on: 6 October 2011
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The International Sustainability Alliance, the global network of real estate organisations, has launched its 2011 Benchmarking Report, described as the first meaningful attempt to publish sustainability metrics for real estate. The report focuses on a selection of ISA member’s property assets in the office and retail sectors across five countries: Portugal, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. It features three critical ISA key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure the intensity of energy, water and CO2 emissions by floor area. ISA members will be able to use this data to obtain individual reports on the performance of their portfolios. The report will be published on an annual basis by ISA. As membership increases, the ISA database is growing rapidly and the volume of quality data on individual building classes grows. This in turn generates opportunities for research, analysis and sharing of corporate knowledge in sustainability reporting.

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Reconstruction plan for Haiti

Posted on: 6 October 2011
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Over the last 18 months, Trans-City architecture and urbanism has developed a comprehensive plan for the reconstruction of Jacmel, a town in Haiti, based upon the concept of satellite cities located at the edge of the existing, earthquake-ravaged city centre (a concept developed in accordance with the universal design principals of the Housing Reconstruction Framework of the Haitian Government). The concept includes an urban masterplan, and a proposal for prefabricated houses, in which the building shell is industrially manufactured in Austria, and finished by local hand workers. In line with the content of the project, the architecture does not attempt to be spectacular. Rather, it is the holistic integration of the many levels of an urban system that makes this project interesting.

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Sustainable development governance and policies in the light of major EU policy strategies and international developments

Posted on: 6 October 2011
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The European Sustainable Development Network Quarterly Reports provide in-depth documentation of a selected topic on a quarterly basis. The latest issue, September 2011, provides an overview and analysis of sustainable development governance and policies at the EU and Member States level.

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Videos on off-site construction

Posted on: 5 October 2011
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Off-site construction specialist, Yorkon, has launched a new on-line video gallery to help improve the understanding of modular buildings among architects, contractors, specifiers and occupiers. This latest in a series of web resources also aims to increase awareness of the bespoke design solutions, quality and potential of off-site construction that can now be delivered in sectors as diverse as health, education, nuclear, transport, chemical, commercial, and retail. Videos in the gallery include: How off-site construction can benefit major food retailers; How a modular building is assembled on site; Why schools should consider an off-site approach for new teaching accommodation; Off-site solutions for healthcare providers; How a modular building is manufactured off site.

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The BNP Paribas Real Estate Guide to Investing in London

Posted on: 5 October 2011
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London is on the cusp of one of the most exciting periods in its recent history. As the Olympic Games is set to focus the world’s attention on the capital, a number of infrastructure and urban regeneration initiatives promise to transform the real estate market. BNP Paribas has issued a guide which outlines all you need to know about investing in London real estate, including: Top 10 reasons to invest; Investor case studies; Guide to London’s submarkets; Investors’ questions answered; Key legal and technical terms; Tax clinic; London’s debt markets: A lender’s view; Joint venture partnerships; Key transport changes; Hot spots.

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Interactive Resources for Interdisciplinary Sustainability

Posted on: 5 October 2011
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The Interactive Resources for Interdisciplinary Sustainability (IRIS) website, developed by lecturers and students from the BSc Environment & Sustainability programme at Keele University, aims to help students embarking on an interdisciplinary sustainability-focused degree at university gain a greater understanding of interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability problems, what to expect  throughout the degree and issues they may encounter whilst studying at university level. The core of this project is to explore links between different discipline areas within the environment and sustainability field, especially crossing the traditional natural-social science divide. Understanding and tackling real-life environment and sustainability issues requires a holistic approach and the ability to draw upon many disciplinary perspectives and techniques. This resource contains a series of activities and advice.  [loaded 5 October 2011]

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Medical tourism: Treatments, markets and health system implications. A scoping review

Posted on: 4 October 2011
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This review, published by the OECD, identifies the key emerging policy issues relating to the rise of ‗medical tourism‘. The review details what is currently known about the flow of medical tourists between countries and discusses the interaction of the demand for, and supply of, medical tourism services. It highlights the different organisations and groups involved in the industry, including the range of intermediaries and ancillary services that have grown up to service the industry. Treatment processes (including consideration of quality, safety and risk) and system-level implications for countries of origin and destination (financial issues; equity; and the impact on providers and professionals of medical tourism) are highlighted. The review examines harm, liability and redress in medical tourism services with a particular focus on the legal, ethical and quality-of-care considerations.  In light of this, the review outlines key health policy considerations, and draws attention to significant gaps in the research evidence.

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