« Hulme @ IoI | Droughts in the UK. »
@ 06.03.2009 – 10:01:39
Very good resource for urban planners and designers.
Launched yesterday, this covers most of the issues that built environment professionals should be aware of when considering regeneration, new development or strategic incisions.
Also worth a look if you're just curious!
"This website gives expert advice on planning, designing and managing a sustainable place. It cuts through the complexity with clear priorities for action. And it shows which places are getting it right."
metyu
Hi CH, I take your point. A couple of thoughts.
Research increasingly highlights the impact of the built environment on the elderly and healthcare; also on mental health (which costs our NHS some £40bn pa, expected to rise significantly) and the young. For example, we have a problem whereby older people spend their winter heating allowance on presents for their grandkids; if we can deploy district heating, we can achieve CO2 reductions [keep the greenies happy] but more importantly we can deliver low cost heat. Finland, Denmark - both much colder than the UK, but excess winter deaths not nearly as a problem in either because they have district energy systems.
Emergency services is fundamental, and is a really good point - and you're right it deserves more focus, I might put in a good word. One thing I would say, research into our power failures over the years has shown tow things. Firstly, back-up generators in hospitals cannot always cope, particularly if we have trouble getting oil/gas/etc to them. Also, power outages cause problems with traffic lights, with associated transport and ambulance problems.
The responses to these problems are often joined-up; decentralised energy systems can overcome some of these problems, green spaces can encourage people to get out and about, etc. I think the website helps to draw out these things in an accessible manner, and I'm sure it will grow as more case studies are available. It links into what is called the "core cities" project in the UK - 8 cities excl London looking at how they can change in coming years.
Which city are you in?
Related posts
The content of this website belongs to a private person, blog.co.uk is not responsible for the content of this website.
Interesting, just flipping through the priorities these are basically being implemented or have been implemented here. Obviously the low carbon vehicle and so on are a broader technical issue and not knowing what the future holds in technologies to be adopted that is sort of a self-defeating priority in planning for the adoption of such technologies.
I think some priorities are missed, there seems to be no information on emergency services, elder care and health services. You see these initiatives are always created from a younger population's perceptions when in reality in the Western World we have a aging population.
I get what they are promoting I really do, and I am happy to report in my area all these things are currently being done. We have a waste to electrical power station ( had it for years ) at the land fill. We have City wide recycling,include modernized water treatment and use nearly 90% hydro electric power, we have a mass transit alternative fuel (Nat Gas) and electric buses and elevated trains. City is covered with bike trails and bike lanes throughout the core.