Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) ASHRAE Technical Symposium

Posted on: 15 May 2014
By: mackene
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The annual CIBSE Technical Symposium encourages the participation of both researchers and industry practitioners at all stages in their career to share experiences and develop networks. Papers and posters from past symposiums can be freely downloaded. Please note you will need to be logged in to download papers (either as a member or non-member). 

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STEPS Centre blog

Posted on: 15 May 2014
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The STEPS Centre carries out interdisciplinary research projects and policy engagement activities with partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Bringing social and natural scientists together across development studies and science and technology studies, the Centre works in and across the areas of food/agriculture, health/disease, water/sanitation and energy/climate change to generate new thinking and practical solutions. The work looks at how pathways to sustainability, linking environmental integrity with social justice.

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Sound progress: a review of homeowner feedback on noise in new homes

Posted on: 15 May 2014
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There has been a drop in noise complaints by owners of new attached homes since the introduction of stricter industry noise standards in 2003, according to a report by the NHBC Foundation. The government introduced higher standards for sound insulation in Approved Document E, which deals with Resistance to the Passage of Sound. From 2004, Robust Details, which meet more stringent acoustic performance standards, have been available as an alternative to pre-completion sound testing in proving compliance with Part E. The report analyses feedback from owners of homes built between 2004 and 2010 following the changes to the Building Regulations, to see whether they have led to a reduction in complaints. Under the terms of the NHBC Buildmark warranty, builders are liable to put right any defect or damage in the first two years after completion of the home; it is this two-year period which the research relates to. The study found that the number of complaints about noise problems received by the NHBC for attached homes fell from seven households per 1000 in 2004 to 4 per 1000 in 2010. According to the NHBC, most of the noise complaints raised by owners of attached and detached homes could be avoided by taking additional care during construction and following accepted good practice.

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Transport Resilience Review: CIHT evidence

Posted on: 14 May 2014
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The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has presented written evidence as part of the Department of Transports ‘Transport Resilience Review’. The evidence covered the potential exposure of the transport network to extreme weather (floods of all kinds, storms and extreme heat), the ability to operate under such conditions and plans for adapting to a changing climate. 

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Operation of the National Planning Policy Framework

Posted on: 14 May 2014
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The House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee is conducting an inquiry into the operation of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in its first two years. Written evidence to the Committee is now available online.

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Regenerating capital: Healthy growth, healthy city?

Posted on: 14 May 2014
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Roca London Gallery will host a photographic exhibition, from 2 June – 23 August 2014, during the London Festival of Architecture, exploring some of London’s key regeneration projects and their impact on the city’s inhabitants. The exhibition will explore the impact regeneration has on green spaces, small businesses, local communities and valued buildings while supporting an increasing population, world-leading financial growth and an international profile.

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Building Consultancy Today

Posted on: 14 May 2014
By: mackene
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Property consultancy CBRE has issued the first edition of its quarterly newsletter, Building Consultancy Today. Each newsletter will provide insights about the trends and issues affecting the property industry today and in the future. This issue focuses on building costs. Feedback and suggestions for future topics are welcomed. 

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Productive science-practice in climate change adaptations

Posted on: 14 May 2014
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This new publication from CIRCLE-2, a European network for research and co-operation on climate change, makes recommendations for better approaches to science-policy-practice working. Recommendations in the briefing note are drawn from a literature review, as well as the outcomes of working sessions at the European Climate Change Adaptation conference in Hamburg in 2013. 

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Taking Britain further: Heathrow’s plan for connecting the UK to growth

Posted on: 14 May 2014
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Revised expansion proposals, presented to the government’s Airports Commission by Heathrow Airport would reduce the number of properties requiring compulsory purchase by 200 and avoid the need to redevelop the M4/M25 junction.

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Getting our house in order: The impact of housing undersupply in London

Posted on: 14 May 2014
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In this report, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) explores the impact of the undersupply of housing on London businesses and the capital’s overall competitiveness and proposes measures to alleviate the housing crisis. LCCI concludes the way to overcome the current barriers to house building is to secure more land for development and more builders with the capacity to deliver homes in London.

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