CIVITAS Forum 2012/CIVITAS Plus Final Conference. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, 24 -26 September 2012.

Posted on: 4 October 2012
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The CIVITAS Forum Conferences bring representatives of CIVITAS Forum Network member cities including their politicians and technical experts together once a year. The meetings include plenary and smaller technical and roundtable sessions. This ensures ample opportunity for contact and exchange between participating cities. This conference explored successful aspects of sustainable mobility and public space planning, and as the CIVITAS Plus Final Conference, the event also reflected on four years of CIVITAS Plus and gave significant visibility to the results of the third phase of the initiative. A summary of technical presentations is available together with presentations from the following sessions: streamlining urban rail; card-based ticketing; multi modal networks; integrated measures to boost public transport; mobility marketing; strategies to involve stakeholders; making cities safe for walking and cycling; more sustainable car use; bosting cycling levels; sustainable urban mobility plans; intelligent transport systems; electric mobility; and low emission zones and other measures to lessen freight’s impact.

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Valuing sustainability in the UK property market

Posted on: 4 October 2012
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Urgent changes in valuation, lending and conveyancing practices could avert a further slow down in the construction industry, and help the British economy, claim award-winning Hasker Architects, a Midlands-based practice with experience across a wide variety of building sectors. Prompted by their experience with low carbon buildings, Hasker Architects have recently published this discussion paper and would welcome further debate.

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The European Metropolitan network Institute

Posted on: 18 September 2012
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The European Metropolitan network Institute (EMI) has developed a Knowledge and Research Agenda on the actual problems cities and metropolitan areas come across when implementing policies to stimulate sustainable urban transport. It is argued that until now, research findings are insufficient to lead cities to more sustainable mobility systems. To contribute to this process and take the agenda a step further, EMI is actively engaged in building a broad Multiannual Knowledge and Research programme with a consortium of cities and their stakeholders. A report on the EMI Knowledge and Research Agenda, based on a year-long intensive search for the most imminent research needs, as articulated by urban practitioners and academics, is available. One of the outcomes outlined in this agenda is that, when it comes to sustainable urban mobility, city policy-makers tend to focus on citizen behaviour, land-use planning and governance, whereas academic researchers are especially interested in regulation and pricing issues. City practitioners and academic researchers both feel more research is needed on the following themes: Lifestyle and behaviour, urban space and scale; regulation and pricing; ITS and technology; and governance.

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EU Sustainable Urban Mobility Awards

Posted on: 6 September 2012
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Within the framework of its Sustainable Urban Mobility campaign, the European Commission has launched the EU’s first award to encourage the adoption of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) by local and regional authorities. Under the inaugural theme ‘stakeholder and citizen participation’, local and regional authorities can submit their applications for the award of EUR 10,000. Applications are open until 9 November 2012.

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Reducing carbon emissions through TDM strategies: A review of international examples

Posted on: 20 August 2012
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Conventional transport planning solutions often have effects contradicting transport system efficiency and emission reduction targets. Innovative and effective transport demand management (TDM) solutions, however, help to achieve multiple planning objectives. Based on the existing knowledge in China about TDM strategies, the aim of this report is to discuss the potential of TDM strategies to contribute to climate change mitigation and identify the most promising options for Chinese cities. To attain that, the report focuses on success factors of international examples of effective policy formulation and implementation (including London, Singapore, New York, Berlin, Seoul and San Francisco among others).

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Adventure Alternative Sustainability Handbook

Posted on: 18 July 2012
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Adventure Alternative has published its Sustainability Handbook in conjunction with the Travel Foundation’s ‘Make Holidays Greener Campaign’. The Campaign hopes to engage holidaymakers on the topic of responsible tourism, with the aim of protecting both the environment and local communities in tourist destinations. The Campaign hopes to encourage tourists to partake in greener activities whilst on their holidays.

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Green innovation in tourism. Rio de Janiero, 19 June 2012

Posted on: 18 July 2012
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This side event to the Rio+20 Summit was organised by the World Tourism Organisation  to highlight tourism’s role in the global sustainable development agenda. Presentations are available online.

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Mobilities and sustainable tourism. Greoux Les Bains, France, 24-27 June 2012

Posted on: 18 July 2012
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BEST EN is an inclusive and collaborative network, focusing on the creation and dissemination of knowledge within the field of sustainable tourism. At a BEST EN Think Tank, research is presented, sustainable tourism topics are addressed, and research and educational materials for use in undergraduate education are developed. The theme of this year’s think tank put focus on mobility in the context of sustainable tourism, not only addressing transportation issues but also aspects of social and economic mobility. Presentations are available online.

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Water equity in tourism – a human right, a global responsibility

Posted on: 9 July 2012
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This report from Tourism Concern reveals the stark inequities of water access and consumption between tourist resorts and local people in developing countries, and demands concerted action by governments and the tourism sector to protect community water rights over tourist luxury. Featuring research from Bali, The Gambia, Zanzibar, and Goa and Kerala, south India, the report finds that the unsustainable appropriation, depletion and pollution of water by poorly regulated tourism are threatening the environment, while undermining living standards, livelihoods and development opportunities of impoverished local communities.

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Survival of the fittest: Sustainable tourism means business

Posted on: 4 July 2012
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A new report from the Travel Foundation in partnership with Forum for the Future, argues that the tourism business is facing a “perfect storm”, as destinations face the impact of climate change alongside economic volatility and rising costs. The paper calls on the industry to consider its stance on sustainability, set ambitious targets and work as one to meet the environmental, economic and social challenges ahead.

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