tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71847266677315456462024-03-12T21:49:35.003-07:00Temple Group BlogTemple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-44920229831638734522016-03-09T09:39:00.000-08:002016-03-09T09:39:52.611-08:00How The Girl Guides Are Encouraging Girls To Pursue STEM Careers<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Andreah Cole</span></b> - <i>Personal Assistant</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) is
the International Women’s Day charity partner. WAGGGS empowers girls and young
women to stand up and speak out on issues affecting them. They provide girls
and young women with dynamic, flexible and values-based training in life
skills, leadership and citizenship. WAGGGS not only speaks out on behalf of
girls and young women to influence people making decisions that improve the
lives of girls, but they also empower young women to be advocates. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a Guide leader I volunteer with girls between 10-14 years
old. We cover a wide programme of activities, from adventure sports to
performing arts, travel and taking part in community action projects. Our aim
is to help girls develop in a safe environment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Girls Attitude Survey 2015 reported, “Fewer than one in
ten girls aged 7 to 10 would choose a career as an engineer (3 per cent),
scientist (6 per cent) or lawyer (6 per cent).” Girlguiding UK is trying to promote
girls’ and young women’s interest in male dominated industries. Rolls Royce
supported the programme for the science investigator badge as part of their
involvement in inspiring and engaging young women in the STEM subjects -
Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths - encouraging their potential as
future scientists and engineers. Girlguiding UK encourages girls to believe that
they can do anything they put their minds to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In August 2015, I was part of a Guiding Overseas Linked with
Development (GOLD) project to Malawi. The aim of the 6 year project is to train
a team of Malawi Girl Guide Association (MAGGA) members on topics such as
leadership, advocacy, first aid and ending violence against women to enable
them to lead and develop the organisation to give women more opportunities in
Malawi. Equality in Malawi is still a distant dream however, the women we met
on our trip were determined to continue the fight. Hopefully some of the skills
we taught them and ideas we gave them will enable them to accelerate gender
parity for all women in Malawi. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">@wagggs_world @girlguiding #girls can #IWD2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">http://new.girlguiding.org.uk/latest-updates/making-a-difference/girls-attitudes-survey-2015 </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-80702573821598014972016-03-09T09:35:00.001-08:002016-03-09T09:35:44.717-08:00Infrastructure and Development needs Women<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Genevieve Oller</b></span> - <i>Senior Marketing Executive</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tuesday, 8 March was <a href="http://www.internationalwomensday.com/">International Women’s Day</a>; a
day that seeks to recognise and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and
political achievements of women across the world. Over the past few years there
have been a number of initiatives bespoke to the industries that we work in
(engineering, infrastructure, construction) that have tried to highlight
women’s contribution and, in turn, encourage them to enter these workplaces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has
established <a href="https://communities.theiet.org/communities/home/77?origin=wnmyc">The IET
Women’s Network</a>, which seeks to <i>“engage
with under-represented groups within engineering and technology and support
them throughout their career</i>”. They have also introduced the <a href="http://conferences.theiet.org/ywe/">Young Woman Engineer of the Year
awards</a>. One of the aims of these awards is to create role models, thereby
showing engineering to be a viable career option for the next generation of
women entering the workplace. There are a host of other societies and initiatives
(Women in Architecture, Women in Transport, Women in Rail, Women in Property,
MIPIM Ladies) and awards that seek to highlight and, more importantly, foster
women’s contribution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is also a very real reason to encourage women to these
industries, there are not enough people to build the infrastructure and
development projects that London needs; more
people means more money injected into the city (so, it’s win, win!). There are
some genuine efforts within major infrastructure projects to employ more female
staff. At a recent Temple breakfast briefing, Geoff Loader, Head of Stakeholder
Engagement at Tideway, discussed the project’s aim to try and get a 50/50 split
between men and women on the project. In order to achieve this they have
introduced programmes such as <a href="http://www.tideway.london/news/media-centre/make-your-way-back-to-work-with-tideway/">Tideway
Returner</a>, which offers professionals (predominantly women) who have taken a
career break and found it difficult to return to work, a range of internships
within Tideway and its delivery partners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The environmental sector is more fortunate in that for the
most part it attracts a more diverse range of people, something I feel we, at
Temple, benefit from. Equally, our sister company The Ecology Consultancy, has
a high number of female staff. However, what matters here is not numbers but
that these are areas of the industry that are seen as viable for women to work
in and offer real career prospects. There are certainly efforts to change
things within different areas of the industry however, more needs to be done
and for some areas change is even more needed than others. I think
the education needed here is twofold: firstly, to emphasise the value that
women can bring and secondly, position these types of careers for women,
showing them how rewarding they can be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">IET kindly allowed us to include their infographic for how
women can join the STEM industries;</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-24564440257692008852016-02-16T06:56:00.000-08:002016-03-03T02:32:09.320-08:00Temple BBB (Brown Bag Breakfast): Geoff Loader from Tideway - Wednesday 10th February<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17.28px;"><b style="color: orange;">Lheah Zorlakkis - </b><i>Business Development and Marketing Administrator</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This month Temple were joined by Geoff Loader, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at Tideway. Geoff walked us through the history of the Victorian sewer system that London has relied on for over a century, and the stresses and strains that have led to the proposal of the innovative Thames Tideway Tunnel project. This project aims to 'reconnect London' with the River Thames and to dramatically reduce the amount of overflow that is dumped into the Thames annually.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geoff was very open in discussing the biggest risks (in his opinion) of project delivery; stating that the consenting work compared with the timescales could very much hinder the project. There are also numerous factors that local communities want addressed, as well as concerns with regard to Health and Safety during construction, on account of its proximity to the river.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geoff also addressed the major strain that the current infrastructure projects are putting on the industry in regards to skilled workers. As part of the tunnel scheme Tideway will be setting up Thames Skills Academy, dedicated to training apprentices in this specialised field. They have also been very successful with the introduction of a Return to Work scheme, encouraging ex-industry professionals who have been on career breaks to return to work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many thanks to Geoff for his presentation and we look forward to the next Brown Bag Breakfast with Chris Porter of TfL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are interest in attending a future Brown Bag Breakfast please contact <a href="mailto:marketing@templegroup.co.uk" style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-style: none none dotted; color: #002147; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">marketing@templegroup.co.uk</a>. </span></div>
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Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-31534080712340732422016-01-07T07:52:00.001-08:002016-01-07T09:16:07.247-08:00A Change is in the Air: The EIC’s and Temple’s Recommendations of Technologies and Strategies needed to Tackle Urban Air Pollution<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Jose Estrada</span></b> (Graduate Consultant - Air Quality) & <b><span style="color: orange;">Erica Ward</span></b> (Senior Consultant)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The need to improve air quality in urban areas is one of the
most important environmental challenges we face today. Sadly, air
pollution and its consequences are increasingly hitting the headlines. From data on
the costs of poor air quality, to images of heavily polluted streets in major
cities around the world, the issue is now hard to ignore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the UK, particulate matter (PM<sub>10</sub>) limits have
been largely met. Nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) remains a challenge, however,
with levels exceeding the EU limits (which should have been met by 2010) in 31
areas in the UK. In May 2015 the UK Supreme Court instructed the government to
submit a revised plan to meet these limits by the end of 2015. To add even more
complexity to the problem, the scandal of diesel emissions broke out at the
same time, further focusing the media’s attention on the issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Temple worked with the <a href="http://www.eic-uk.co.uk/eic-home/386"><b>Environmental Industries Commission</b></a>
(EIC) to study the impacts and the economic costs of different alternatives to
tackle urban air pollution. The findings of which were presented in the joint
report, <a href="http://www.eic-uk.co.uk/Documents/Files/EIC%20Air%20quality%20report%202015%20-%20digital.pdf"><b>‘A
clear choice for the UK: Technology options for tackling air pollution’</b></a>,
published at the end of last year. Our goal: to contribute to an informed discussion,
based on good quality data, on what options might form part of the solution for
the UK. A range of technologies were assessed, including vehicle retrofit and scrappage
programmes, electric vehicles and more innovative solutions such as renewable
diesel for non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) and photo-catalytic treatments
applied to roads to remove pollutants. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The conclusions of our study were clear, there is no single
answer to the problem and a range of technologies and strategies will be needed
to tackle urban air pollution. Electric vehicles, despite being expected to
play an important role in the mid to long-term, are an expensive alternative to
improve air quality in the short-term.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In September 2015, the UK Government increased its estimates
of damage costs<a href="file:///C:/Users/genevieve.oller/workingfiles/workspace.templegroup.co.uk/EIC-AQ%20Blog%20post.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
(the cost to society of a change in emissions of different pollutants) to
reflect the latest evidence. The new figures make the economic case for adopting many of the technologies evaluated by Temple and the EIC </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">compelling</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Acting
to reduce pollution will be more cost-effective than dealing with its effects.
The new air quality plan for NO</span><sub style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2</sub><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, published in December
2015</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/genevieve.oller/workingfiles/workspace.templegroup.co.uk/EIC-AQ%20Blog%20post.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">,
introduces a programme of Clean Air Zones (similar to London’s Low Emission
Zone) where old, polluting vehicles will be discouraged from entering designated
urban centres. At the same time, transition to modern cleaner vehicles will be
promoted by retrofitting and upgrading transport fleets by looking at
approaches to reducing emissions in NRMM, which were identified in the Temple/EIC
report as promising measures in the short-term.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While implementation of the new plan is yet to happen, 2015
has been a key year for urban air pollution, showing that as a nation we will
need to be ambitious and innovative on all fronts. The UK, and particularly
London, will continue to face challenges along the way to improve air quality,
urban population growth, major residential developments and massive
infrastructure projects (such as High Speed 2, Crossrail 2 or an airport
expansion) among others. We think that 2015 was only a starting point in terms
of improving urban air quality. At Temple we are proud to be part of the
process and are ready to work towards cleaner and more breathable cities. Please
join us at our Temple <a href="http://www.templegroup.co.uk/pages/newsManager.cfm?page_id=7&news_id=170&headline=temple_bbb_-_air_pollution_abatement_-_wednesday_13_january"><b>BBB
event on Air Pollution abatement</b></a> on <b>Wednesday
13 January</b>, where we will discuss these and other issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information on the report, or to attend the
breakfast briefing, please call <b>0207 394 3700</b> or email <a href="mailto:marketing@templegroup.co.uk"><b>marketing@templegroup.co.uk</b></a>.
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/genevieve.oller/workingfiles/workspace.templegroup.co.uk/EIC-AQ%20Blog%20post.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Department
for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) (2015), Air quality economic
analysis. Damage costs by location and source. Available at: </span><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/air-quality-economic-analysis" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/air-quality-economic-analysis</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/genevieve.oller/workingfiles/workspace.templegroup.co.uk/EIC-AQ%20Blog%20post.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Defra
(2015), Air Quality in the UK: plan to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions.
Available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/air-quality-in-the-uk-plan-to-reduce-nitrogen-dioxide-emissions">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/air-quality-in-the-uk-plan-to-reduce-nitrogen-dioxide-emissions</a></span>
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Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-26648029826519851562015-12-03T04:42:00.003-08:002015-12-03T04:55:29.414-08:00Paris 2015 COP21 – What do we order and how do we split the bill?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_D6wypUHQg/VmA2csAGU9I/AAAAAAAAA1s/-DX6N_lN3WY/s1600/cop%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_D6wypUHQg/VmA2csAGU9I/AAAAAAAAA1s/-DX6N_lN3WY/s200/cop%2B1.jpg" width="123" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f65xjahnbTU/VmA2Z62yKxI/AAAAAAAAA1k/fpqvg5CCQf8/s1600/cop21%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f65xjahnbTU/VmA2Z62yKxI/AAAAAAAAA1k/fpqvg5CCQf8/s320/cop21%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aims for an
Agreement</span></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Between November 30<sup>th</sup> and December 11<sup>th</sup>
the governments of over 190 nations will descend on Paris for the 21<sup>st</sup>
United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP21). The aim of the Conference is
to deliver a first ever universal climate agreement to limit global warming to
2°C and replace the existing agreements which expire in 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.wri.org/our-work/project/act-2015/COP21">ACT
2015</a>, a consortium of the world’s top climate experts has developed a list
of 3 key ingredients of the COP21 Paris Agreement:</span></div>
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<ol>
<li><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"><i>Set
long-term goals for mitigation and adaptation</i></b><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> to help the world cope with climate impacts and phase out greenhouse
gas emissions, as early as possible in the second half of the century.</i></li>
<li><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"><i>Ensure
countries are transparent and accountable for their climate action commitments</i></b><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">, through a process that regularly evaluates
their progress.</i></li>
<li><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"><i>Put
in place a process for countries to regularly increase their climate efforts on
mitigation and adaptation</i></b><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">, along
with scaled up finance, capacity building and technology transfer, in a timely
way - at least once every five years starting in 2020.</i></li>
</ol>
<i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Progress so far</span></u></i><br />
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<i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The world is already taking steps towards a low carbon
future, investment in renewables and sustainable technologies are on the rise
with the cost of solar panels dropping by around 70% since 2009 offering a
beacon of hope for a clean, affordable energy future. More and more companies
are taking action and making investments to prepare for the transition to a low
carbon economy and we have seen companies that act on climate change outperforming
their non-acting counterparts in terms of profitability (<a href="https://www.cdp.net/CDPResults/CDP-SP500-leaders-report-2014.pdf">CDP</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a growing groundswell of support for climate change
action through groups such as Greenpeace and <a href="http://350.org/">350.org</a>;
in 2014 over 300,000 people took to the streets of New York to demand action
from their leaders on climate change, with a similar number marching in 161
other countries and there are Climate Marches planned around the world on the
eve of COP21.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5fulZjtR3w/VmA4TKpWTdI/AAAAAAAAA14/uasKeBIn5_A/s1600/cop21%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5fulZjtR3w/VmA4TKpWTdI/AAAAAAAAA14/uasKeBIn5_A/s640/cop21%2B3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Photo credit: Greenpeace Finland)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A record number of countries (over 170) have submitted their
national plans and targets to deal with climate change; however, in a <a href="http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/game-changers-in-the-paris-climate-deal-what-is-needed-to-ensure-a-new-agreemen-582554">report
commissioned by Oxfam</a> experts estimate that these commitments will only
limit global warming to between 2.7 and 3°C. The extra 1°C beyond 2°C increases
developing countries costs of adaptation by about $270bn a year by 2050 and
deals a further $600bn of annual economic losses, illustrating the urgent need
for an agreement in Paris: We are at a tipping point where companies and countries
need a strong guiding hand and clarity of support for a low carbon future
through a binding universal agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the biggest indications of this tipping point
occurred in 2014 when the <a href="http://www.rbf.org/about/divestment">Rockefeller
Brother Fund announced</a> it was withdrawing from investing in the fossil fuel
industry, removing approximately $50bn of funding in total. This marked the
beginning of private investors and large companies shying away from polluting
industries and has led to calls for more funds and large investors to follow
suit. We now require bold steps from our national leaders to deliver the
agreement we all need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paying for past
sins<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
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<i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While it is generally agreed that rich countries will need
to help poorer nations to mitigate and adapt to climate change, there is a call
for more to be done. Less developed countries believe that historical emissions
should be factored in at a greater level when determining who needs to pay for
climate change adaptation and mitigation. They resent the way that developed
countries have benefited from uncapped emissions since the beginning of the
industrial revolution to deliver improved quality of life and economic growth
while less developed countries will have to improve quality of life and their
economies in a more costly, although sustainable, way under the terms of a
climate change agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The negotiations in Paris will largely concentrate on how
much money the rich nations pay to the poorer ones to help them adapt to the
effects of global warming and to help finance the transition from fossil fuels
to green energy. This is of great importance in light of the recent economic
downturn and the Oxfam commissioned report which forecasts that global warming
is on course to cost developing countries $2.5 trillion dollars (£1.65
trillion) a year in total by 2050. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An international <a href="http://www.greenclimate.fund/home">Green
Climate Fund</a> has been set up with the aim of mobilising $100bn per year
from developed countries by 2020 to help less developed countries to fund
climate change and mitigation. As of November 2015 $10.2bn has been pledged; showing
how the full amount will be delivered is another key outcome for COP21.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Delivering an
agreement<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
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<i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The need for action is clear; 2011-2015 has been the <a href="https://www.wmo.int/media/content/wmo-2015-likely-be-warmest-record-2011-2015-warmest-five-year-period">warmest
five-year period on record</a>, due to a combination of climate change and a strong
El Nino event with significant, fatal heatwaves across many parts of the world
being made more likely due to climate change. 2015 itself is set to be a record
breaking year: the first to pass the symbolic milestone of 1°C above
pre-industrial levels and the first to see atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub>
concentrations over 400 parts per million, it would be fitting for such an
important agreement on climate change to be made in the same year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ingredients and the need are all in place for a landmark
agreement to be reached and deliver hope for a low carbon future, let’s hope
this opportunity is seized by the decision makers with both hands. As Laurent
Fabius, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development
said: "there is no plan b because there is no planet b".</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-68334160071761051222015-10-08T08:28:00.001-07:002015-10-26T09:37:09.913-07:00Testing the IQ of our City: Test 1 - Transport in London <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Greg Yiangou - </span></b><i>Consultant</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pnq195vaTSo/VhZaLD2ZtKI/AAAAAAAAA1U/vvwGb0JyN3Y/s1600/gregblog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pnq195vaTSo/VhZaLD2ZtKI/AAAAAAAAA1U/vvwGb0JyN3Y/s400/gregblog1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With
millions of people depending on London's transport network, just how ‘smart’ is
it? Comparisons are often drawn between Singapore’s tube network or the ease of
cycling in Amsterdam, but every city faces its own pressures, needs and
challenges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">London has built an extensive, well developed network that runs
throughout the city, moving millions of people every day whilst representing a
sense of identity that is unique to the city. Red busses and black cabs are
synonymous with London and can be recognised all over the world. But as
London’s population rapidly grows, these networks are quickly reaching full
capacity, with commuters feeling the effects. Frustration grows as the quality
of public transport services often does not reflect the increasing costs
commuters have to pay.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>‘London
Underground’ </b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">If you were to ask Londoners what they thought of the Underground, many
of the responses will be influenced by the recent tube strikes across the
entire network, which at times brought the city to its knees. They will point
to the daily struggle they face to squeeze onto a Northern Line train at 8am.
The image of commuters packing onto full tubes, narrowly missing the closing
doors is all too common during the morning and evening commutes</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">London Underground handles 24.3 million passenger journeys every week,
with 1.2 billion journeys made in 2014. With London’s population expected to
top 10 million by 2030, there is no doubt the stress on the underground system
will increase. We expect a delay free service but realistically it is not yet
possible; the system is operating intensively at capacity and a single
interruption can quickly create a domino effect of delays and congestion.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C00H6mhvh9g/VhZUexGbVBI/AAAAAAAAA04/SeXjUXKaThU/s1600/shutterstock%2B-%2Bpeople%2B-%2Bvictoria%2Bline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C00H6mhvh9g/VhZUexGbVBI/AAAAAAAAA04/SeXjUXKaThU/s400/shutterstock%2B-%2Bpeople%2B-%2Bvictoria%2Bline.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much of the growth in London will be seen in the suburbs, with commuters
still travelling into the city to work. Projects are under-way to manage this
growth, Crossrail being the largest. It is expected to become operational by
2018, increasing London’s rail-based capacity by 10%. But why stop there? The
construction of Crossrail 2 is looking increasingly likely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But there is no denying
that these large infrastructure projects cost a lot of money. Is there a more
affordable solution? How can we increase capacity? Would automating the tube
improve the traveller’s experience? Should we be easing the pressure on the
tube by making other modes of transport in the city more attractive?</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">When we think about Smart we often think about technology but Smart
Solutions are about better understanding our infrastructure and utilising it in
more efficient and often more joined up ways. A Smart transport network should
facilitate the easy and efficient transition across various modes of transport.
TfL has started to think about rail as a supplementary link to the Tube. They
recently took control of the West Anglia route that runs from Liverpool Street
to north & east London and as far as Cheshunt, with the line now running under
a concession as opposed to a complex rail franchise, resulting in more trains,
refurbished stations and an increased capacity.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
why not Cycle?</b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vast numbers of commuters are braving the roads instead of facing the
tube. Cycle use grew by 10% in London over 2014 and is expected to grow by a
further 12% this year. 2014 also saw a record number of ‘Boris Bikes’ hired
from London’s cycle hire scheme, with more than 10 million journeys made. But
why are commuters taking to the streets? Is London’s cycle network getting
smarter or are these commuters just fed up of being squashed against a tube
door? </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think the increase is currently a result of ‘push’ factors as opposed
to a smart and safe cycle network. Overcrowding on the tubes, increased costs
of public transport and the high levels of road congestion are making cycling a
more attractive option in the city. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YvyFuq7lJOI/VhZUdINleWI/AAAAAAAAA0s/9Ix_4kaxXZw/s1600/shutterstock%2B-%2BLondon%2B-%2Bcyclist%2B-%2Btravel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YvyFuq7lJOI/VhZUdINleWI/AAAAAAAAA0s/9Ix_4kaxXZw/s400/shutterstock%2B-%2BLondon%2B-%2Bcyclist%2B-%2Btravel.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TfL’s bike sharing scheme, coupled with an extensive network of docking
stations has fuelled this growth in cycling. Technology is also playing its
part; smart apps that provide real-time information on their availability and
efficient cycle routes are available, but not enough has been done to date to
improve the safety of cycling which still accounts for 20% of road casualties
in London.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is clear that cycling is
becoming an integral part of London’s transport network however, reflected by
its level of investment. The Greater London Authority’s Vision for Cycling
outlines plans for a £913 million programme to improve the cycling
infrastructure and safety for cyclists. This includes the flagship development
of the east to west super cycle highway.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congested
Roads</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">London undoubtedly loses IQ points for its congested and polluted roads.
Many areas within the city are failing to meet the EU safe air quality
standards and with manufacturers such as VW cheating their emission tests, we
can see why progress has not been as strong as expected. This problem is
captured by the fact that Oxford Street, one of Europe’s most famous roads, is
now considered one of Europe’s most polluted roads. A recent study by King’s
College London (commissioned by the GLA) has put a very human figure to this
problem and estimates that air quality is annually responsible for
approximately 9,500 premature deaths in London. The seriousness of this problem
cannot be overlooked; London was named the most congested city in Europe last
August, with motorists spending on average 4 days per year in traffic. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CPFJP50M_UE/VhZWb667ftI/AAAAAAAAA1I/ii4hw32spiE/s1600/Gregblog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CPFJP50M_UE/VhZWb667ftI/AAAAAAAAA1I/ii4hw32spiE/s400/Gregblog3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">There are alternatives; despite the controversy surrounding its use,
Uber is seamlessly connecting commuters to drivers, rivalling London’s Black
Cabs. Car clubs, such as Zipcar, are providing ‘wheels when you want them’ and
not wheels parked on the street for 90% of the time and TfL are now operating a
number of Hydrogen Buses in the city. I suppose the key question is why does
anyone need to drive in central London? Is the complete restriction of public
petrol or diesel vehicles in busy, central parts of London really such a
radical solution when we have one of the best public transport networks in the
world?</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Open
Data</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">One area of the transport sector that London is leading on, and
definitely worth mentioning, is the availability of open data, which is
encouraging the creation of innovative ways of presenting, visualising and
using data to improve the commuting experience. A classic example is the
popular Citymapper app, now a global journey planning application, originally
designed in London. It brings together real-time route data for various modes
of transport to provide users with the real-time information they need to make
the best travel decisions. This is just one example of many and as access to
data increases, we are likely to see more and more advancements; just look at
the London Data Store.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There are clearly a lot of problems with London’s transport network, but
the city is definitely moving in the right direction. The Smart London Plan
recognises there is a need to understand how these smart technical solutions
and services can help improve the management of London’s transport networks. We
are going to be seeing big changes in our transport network over the coming
years. Hopefully they allow us to enjoy a stress free, spacious and healthy
commute in the mornings, but only time will tell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Next Blog: Testing the IQ of our City - Test 2: Digital London </i></b></span></span></div>
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Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-23761256704576222692015-08-07T02:15:00.001-07:002015-08-07T04:00:25.629-07:00Norton Bridge<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: orange;">Robert Slatcher - </span></strong><em>Principal Consultant </em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my first few months as a new graduate (now a sadly receding memory) one of the things that stood out was the leaving speech given by a highways engineer to mark his retirement after 40 years with the company. In his speech he mentioned his biggest regret in his career was a bypass scheme in the north of England, which he worked on as his first job when he joined the company, then subsequently reworked several times over when it sprung back to life as it became the political flavour of the moment and was at that very moment handing it over to someone else as it had landed back on his desk.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly as consultants it is all too common to put blood, sweat and tears into a project that never makes it off the table and I am sure many of you have similar tales of deadlines and work streams that absolutely had to be completed by the first week after Christmas, only to see it now gather dust on a shelf somewhere.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it was great to hear that the Norton Bridge Grade Separation Project, for which I led the EIA, was granted a Development Consent Order back in 2014 and was now just past the mid-point of construction. Recently I was fortunate enough to be given a guided tour of the site, a fantastic opportunity to see how all of those endless engineering plans I spent hours reviewing during the design phase translated on the ground.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">The Norton Bridge scheme was the fourth Network Rail scheme to be granted a Development Consent Order, the consenting mechanism for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) under the Infrastructure Planning Act (A previous article I authored gives some of the background to the consent process for new railways </span>- <a href="http://issuu.com/railmedia/docs/tre_august_2014_-_issuu/75?e=0/8917690" target="_blank">link</a>).</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p>Completed cutting ready for the installation of the trackbed and rail infrastructure</span></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The project sought to resolve the last major bottleneck on the West Coast Main Line at Norton Bridge Junction by avoiding slow trains crossing the path of fast trains by creating a grade separation of the tracks at this location. The scheme itself required significant infrastructure and construction works which include three major pipeline diversions, 10km of new double track railway, a major highway diversion, twelve new bridges and four watercourse diversions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition to the successful delivery of the Environmental Statement to support the consent application, Temple also provided significant input in to the development of the scheme design. The design phase of the scheme was awarded the highest ever interim CEEQUAL score of 97.4%, with the majority of scheme design highlights cited by CEEQUAL being items delivered by Temple (</span><a href="http://www.ceequal.com/awards_157.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.ceequal.com/awards_157.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">).</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">When arriving on site the first thing that stood out was how well set up the site compound was. The car park and site offices were on a par with a permanent office development and not that of a construction site. I think when stakeholders imagine a site compound they may well picture a muddy patch of ground, a portacabin on its last legs and some scattered skips. When in reality for a modern construction site this could not be further from the truth. This sense of order was a theme that continued throughout the site.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Parallel rail and road overbridges over the diverted channel of the Meece Brook</strong></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">At the time of the visit all of the bridge structures and associated watercourse diversions had been completed and earthworks were approximately 50% complete. The work that remained included the highway diversion, the remaining earthworks and the installation of the track infrastructure. The construction process had been progressing well and was a year ahead of programme.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To support the Environmental Statement Temple prepared a draft Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) to form the link between the assessment and construction phases and to demonstrate the mechanism by which the mitigation identified through the EIA would be implemented. When speaking to one of the construction environmental management team it was satisfying to hear that the CEMP had successfully transitioned to the construction phase and had been continually updated and used to manage a range of issues on site.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the major issues Temple had to manage during the single option design and EIA phase was the sheer variety of ecology on site. A comprehensive range of ecological mitigation measures were required which consisted of a combination of design mitigation embedded in the scheme, construction mitigation delivered through the CEMP and ecological enhancements. A team of ecologists have been present on site throughout the construction phase in order to monitor and implement the various stages of mitigation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">A purpose built nature reserve was created at a local conference centre and retreat to enable the translocation of animals from construction areas prior to the commencement of works. Our site visit finished off with a quick visit to the reserve to see how it had established. Given the relatively short period since it was constructed the site seemed like it had been there for many years. It was certainly a pleasant spot to relax so it was understandable why the retreat were happy to be the recipients of the reserve.</span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From a personal perspective the visit was extremely useful to gain an appreciation of the scale and logistics related to a major infrastructure project in construction. I think that for individuals undertaking EIAs the ability to experience at first hand a construction site is hugely beneficial and provides the background knowledge that can translate directly through to the assessment of construction impact.</span></span></span></span></div>
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Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-33366414965515005112015-08-04T06:33:00.002-07:002015-08-11T04:13:25.883-07:00Inspiration for Temple’s EMS Committee taken from Paris COP21<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Ellie Holderness </span></b>- <i>EIA Intern</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Temple’s EMS Committee is an employee led group that meets
regularly to discuss the environmental performance of the company and to
identify events and schemes that could be embedded at Temple in order to
promote environmental improvements and good practices for both the company and
personal behaviour. Each year the group identifies a series of local, national
and international environmental events, around which they can co-ordinate their
efforts and this year the EMS Committee has chosen to focus on Paris <a href="http://www.cop21paris.org/about/cop21/">COP21 </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>What is
COP21?</b></span><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Between November 30th and December 11th, the <a href="http://newsroom.unfccc.int/">United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change</a> (UNFCCC) will be running the 21st Session of the Conference
of the Parties; otherwise known as Paris COP21. The UNFCCC is one of the three
conventions that were established at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and is
comprised of 196 member states that meet annually as the Conference of Parties
(COP) to determine future goals for tackling climate change. Outcomes from
previous conventions include the Kyoto Protocol and the Cancun Agreements. This
year’s conference will be vital as it intends to reach a decision regarding a
legally-binding, international agreement that will curb additional climate
change and deal with its impacts. For the first time in over 20 years of UN
negotiations, the conference aims to achieve a legally binding and universal
agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order to help combat climate change in this way, the
agreement must focus primarily on mitigation and the transformation to a
low-carbon society. The agreement also wishes to raise $100 Billion per year
from the donations of developed countries in order to help poorer countries
develop in a sustainable manner. Alongside Paris COP21, the French Government
has been inundated with requests to support projects and initiatives that are
civilian-led. The initiatives cover a wide array of activities that all centre
on one thing: the exchange of knowledge. Examples of these projects include the
<a href="http://www.global-ecoforum.org/">Global Eco-Forum</a> (22nd October)
and <a href="http://copinmycity.weebly.com/">COP IN MYCITY</a>, a programme
that simulates climate negotiations with students in order to draw them in to
the approaching conference. The Global Eco-Forum is a 2-day event that will
focus on the relationship between energy, climate and cities. Currently 75% of
global carbon emissions are produced by urban areas, therefore mitigation
strategies are urgently needed in the developed world. Such outcomes from the Eco-Forum
will be taken forward to Paris COP21.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>What is
Temple doing?</b></span><span style="color: #4f81bd;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Temple has committed to developing as a low carbon business
and in support of that the EMS committee will be arranging a number of climate
and low-carbon themed activities in the lead up to COP21. In the spirit of COP
IN MYCITY, we already have a local primary school talk in the pipeline. We will
be taking over the company’s monthly social events with low carbon themes and we
are currently analysing employee commuting so that employees can find out how
much carbon they emit getting to and from work. Each month the committee will
be identifying new initiatives and hopes that actions such as these will prompt
the consideration of how our day-to-day activities affect the climate and energise
people into taking action to reduce our impacts. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-86596173945327475002015-07-01T00:33:00.000-07:002015-07-01T00:33:08.413-07:00Airport Commission recommends 3rd Runway at Heathrow – hear Sir Howard Davies at Runways UK on Monday (6 July) <div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Rob Whittle -</b></span> <i>Business Development & Marketing Director</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="230" src="http://www.essential-infrastructure.com/content/ruk-1.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px;" width="320" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: center;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Airports Commission has published
its long-awaited Final Report recommending a 3<sup>rd</sup>
Runway at Heathrow <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/airports-commission-releases-final-report" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/airports-commission-releases-final-report</a> . Your
first chance to hear directly from Sir Howard, and to hear the reaction from
key stakeholder groups, will be on 6/7<sup>th</sup> July at <a href="http://www.runwaysuk.com/" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Runways UK 2015</a> taking
place at the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel in London. Temple is a key sponsor
to <a href="http://www.runwaysuk.com/" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">RunwaysUK</a> and we’d be pleased to see you at the event - bookings are on
line.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-87871664325171073402015-06-30T03:24:00.000-07:002015-06-30T03:24:01.178-07:00Sir Howard Davies presents at Runways UK Monday (6 July) <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Rob Whittle -</b></span> <i>Business Development & Marketing Director</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="230" src="http://www.essential-infrastructure.com/content/ruk-1.jpg" width="320" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Airports Commission will publish its long-awaited Final
Report this week. Your first chance to hear directly from Sir Howard,
and to hear the reaction from key stakeholder groups, will be on 6/7<sup>th</sup> July
at <u><a href="http://www.runwaysuk.com/" target="_blank">RunwaysUK 2015</a> </u>taking place at the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel in
London. Temple is a key sponsor to <u><a href="http://www.runwaysuk.com/" target="_blank">Runways UK</a></u> and we’d be pleased to see you at
the event. Bookings are on line.<span style="color: #376092;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-9988063235885562182015-05-01T08:41:00.001-07:002015-05-01T09:01:18.650-07:00Temple’s take on Green Sky Thinking week<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year a team of Temple staff
attended Open City’s <a href="http://www.greenskythinking.org.uk/index.html">Green
Sky Thinking</a>; a week-long
London-wide events programme, which focuses on how sustainability can be embedded
into the built environment. Unlike like other industry events, the festival
consists of informal presentations, as well as on-site project talks, an aspect which is very attractive to Temple. Green Sky Thinking attracts key players
from the sustainability industry, including; Crossrail, Bam Ferrovial Kier Joint,
Innovate UK, Arup, PRP, Skanska, BuroHappold, plus many more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A large number of our clients hosted events, so it was also a chance to
reflect on how Temple is also playing a part in creating a more liveable London, as well as to help generate ideas internally on what else we can be doing. Temple hope to
run our own Green Sky Thinking event next year.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To find out more about Temple visit our website <a href="http://www.templegroup.co.uk/pages/index.cfm?page_id=27&title=transit">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.greenskythinking.org.uk/programme15/bh.html"><b>Engineering the Future</b></a>; BuroHappold Engineering</span></div>
<span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><br />Greg Yiangou</b> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">– </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Consultant</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />“The event showcased </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 different
innovative projects</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that aim to address the challenges created by the rapid
urbanisation of London. These projects focused on a wide variety of problems
that cities all over the world will be facing, from stress on existing
transport networks to health care systems. For me this was the most exciting
thing about the talk – they demonstrated how digital technologies and open data
have the potential to adapt and solve problems cities are facing across a wide
range of sectors”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yytYeBMT6rc/VUOhV1o6qQI/AAAAAAAAAx8/HgCKVl3nGnI/s1600/green%2Bsky%2Bthinking%2B-%2Bevent%2B-%2BGreg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yytYeBMT6rc/VUOhV1o6qQI/AAAAAAAAAx8/HgCKVl3nGnI/s1600/green%2Bsky%2Bthinking%2B-%2Bevent%2B-%2BGreg.JPG" height="221" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.greenskythinking.org.uk/programme15/crossrailbam.html"><b>The
Opportunities & Challenges of Building Farringdon Crossrail Station</b></a>; Crossrail, Bam Ferrovial Kier Joint Venture</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e36c0a;"><b>Toby Wastling</b></span><span style="color: #e36c0a;"> </span>– <i>Senior Consultant</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />“This event was interesting at it
gave attendees the opportunity to see the Crossrail Farringdon Station site and appreciate the scale of the development.
As part of the Crossrail project spoil is being put to beneficial use by being
used for a bird sanctuary at Wallasea island. The event also demonstrated the
challenges of the project, including the number of unknowns that continue to
provide challenges in London construction – underground structures,
archaeology, lack of information on utilities to name but a few!”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tborts8hK7w/VUOjON8mWeI/AAAAAAAAAyY/dAqSkLKFwgA/s1600/Crossrail%2B-%2BFarringdon%2BStation%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tborts8hK7w/VUOjON8mWeI/AAAAAAAAAyY/dAqSkLKFwgA/s1600/Crossrail%2B-%2BFarringdon%2BStation%2B2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdzUpUlh5SQ/VUOhsQ8FETI/AAAAAAAAAyM/EnV6jGEpqGE/s1600/Crossrail%2B-%2BFarringdon%2BStation%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdzUpUlh5SQ/VUOhsQ8FETI/AAAAAAAAAyM/EnV6jGEpqGE/s1600/Crossrail%2B-%2BFarringdon%2BStation%2B1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.greenskythinking.org.uk/programme15/crossrail.html"><b>How to
Build a Sustainable Railway?</b></a> Crossrail</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e36c0a;"><b>Toby Wastling</b></span><span style="color: #e36c0a;"> </span>– <i>Senior Consultant</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />“Interesting session to
understand how sustainability issues learnt from Crossrail can be taken forward
into future projects i.e. Crossrail 2, HS2, Thames Tideway Tunnel. The event
discussed the idea of cement free concrete, which is currently being developed.
Though innovation has been carried out this is limited due to the lack of
knowledge about process – will it be able to support the infrastructure for 120
years?”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2fjGMw14JeY/VUOgnhOg0LI/AAAAAAAAAx0/fs01DECjCSo/s1600/crossrail%2Boffices%2B-%2Bgreen%2Bsky%2Bthinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2fjGMw14JeY/VUOgnhOg0LI/AAAAAAAAAx0/fs01DECjCSo/s1600/crossrail%2Boffices%2B-%2Bgreen%2Bsky%2Bthinking.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.greenskythinking.org.uk/programme15/elliottwood.html"><b>What is
the role of the Structural & Civil Engineer in Sustainable Construction?</b></a> Elliott Wood</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e36c0a;"><b>Toby Wastling</b></span><span style="color: #e36c0a;"> </span>– <i>Senior Consultant</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />“A real discussion about how
architects and engineers can increase sustainability in construction. Part of
the solution will be down to the newly qualified professionals who have been
educated in sustainability from an early age”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.greenskythinking.org.uk/programme15/prp.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Overheating</a>;
PRP</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e36c0a;"><b>Amy Cook</b></span><span style="color: #e36c0a;"> </span>– <i>Senior Consultant</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />"I found PRP’s ‘Overheating’ session the most exciting Green
Sky Thinking event. Something that is becoming a more prominent theme in
regeneration schemes is the idea of ‘community resilience’; It is one thing to
‘build’ resilience into new infrastructure or development for example by using
low carbon materials which can withstand higher temperatures or, altering the
aspect of dwellings so that their rooms do not receive prolonged hours of
direct sunlight. However, to consider climate change within the context of an
existing vulnerable community and how its support network may adapt, is a
relatively new concept and are a far more difficult notion to incorporate into
design.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The event discussed work which has been carried out to
understand patterns of behaviour of local communities – is there infrastructure
or a support network in place for vulnerable people? An example given was on
ventilation: an elderly resident of a care home may not be able to reach to
open a window if they’re too hot – is there a support network to ensure they
don’t suffer from overheating?".</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.greenskythinking.org.uk/programme15/luc.html"><b>Healthy Cities,
A Wake up Call</b></a>; LUC</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e36c0a;"><b>Erica Ward</b></span><span style="color: #e36c0a;"> </span>– <i>Senior Consultant</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />“I attended the ‘Healthy Cities, A Wake up Call’ event
hosted by LUC. The most interesting thing I learnt was that although there is a
lot of buzz in the industry about getting funding for green infrastructure (due
to proven health benefits) from health budgets, this may be more difficult to
implement practically. Most health funding is for clinical commissioning and
there are much more limited budgets within public health, where this type of
funding would come from”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Green Sky Thinking
week</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e36c0a;"><b>Terry O’Neill</b></span><span style="color: #e36c0a;"> </span>– <i>Account Director</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />"For
me the overriding impression I took in attending 8 of the Green Sky Thinking events
was the passion and urgency which all of the speakers communicated. They (and
we along with them) understand the opportunity now available to us to embed
sustainability into the agenda for infrastructure and development. The timing
for this should not be underestimated and full advantage should be taken where
possible".</span></div>
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><u><span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span></u>Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-84937989160879026302015-04-01T08:21:00.002-07:002015-04-01T08:24:59.134-07:00Can cycling superhighways give wider benefits?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Martin Gibson</span></b> - <i>Head of Operations</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2c2D4gcEt_g/VRwMzgSnzRI/AAAAAAAAAxg/Op8KJGb6fmY/s1600/cycling%2Bsuperhighway%2B-%2Bcycling%2B-%2Bbikes%2B-%2Bshutterstock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2c2D4gcEt_g/VRwMzgSnzRI/AAAAAAAAAxg/Op8KJGb6fmY/s1600/cycling%2Bsuperhighway%2B-%2Bcycling%2B-%2Bbikes%2B-%2Bshutterstock.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This month, Boris Johnson launched the start of construction
of </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">London’s new North-South segregated cycling superhighway</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. The route will run
from King’s Cross to Elephant and Castle and is part of a package of measures
that is hoped to further boost cycling in London. It will be followed fairly
soon by a new East-West Superhighway from Tower Hill to Westbourne Terrace. The
new routes will extend the superhighway network into and across central London.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lot of other cities are also trying to dramatically
increase cycling. Manchester is looking to develop cycling along the Oxford
Road, closing it to car traffic. Edinburgh is trialling a segregated cycle lane
along George Street. Cambridge is putting in segregated cycling lanes on key
routes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the reasons for increasing cycling is to drive
environmental improvements, especially in air quality. Transport for London
published its Environmental Evaluation Report for the new cycle superhighways
in January. This predicts route wide benefits and no adverse route wide effects.
The report shows that there will be both positive and negative local
environmental impacts from the proposed new cycle superhighways. The positive
effects considerably outweigh the negative effects, with air quality and noise
due to improve in a number of locations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The study behind the report shows that changes in traffic
will re-distribute vehicle emissions but will not increase overall emission
levels. It does not mention the possibility of an overall reduction in
emissions on a wider scale. However, work in the late 1990’s showed that
reducing road capacity can sometimes lead to traffic effectively disappearing.
If this were to happen, then the cycle routes should lead to a wider
improvement in air quality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the scale of highway capacity reduction that the new
cycle superhighways will produce, it seems possible that traffic could reduce. If
it does, this should lead to improvements in air quality and reductions in
noise that are significant enough to be considered more than just local. If
evidence emerges that there are wider air quality benefits, it should provide
more impetus for innovative projects that are currently on only at the concept
phase. In London alone, these include a Norman Foster’s sky cycle, the London
Underline and the Floating Track on the Thames. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It may be hard to disaggregate the effect that the
segregated cycle highways will have on London’s environment but it will be
important to see if air quality improves when they are completed.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-57985805926209010492015-03-31T06:03:00.001-07:002015-04-01T06:28:43.122-07:00Housing policies too ‘personal’ to feature heavily in top parties’ campaigns?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Amy Cook </span></b>- <i>Senior Consultant</i> & <b><span style="color: orange;">Genevieve Oller </span></b>- <i>Senior Marketing Executive</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RsR6sh7ATUE/VRqag0MeP8I/AAAAAAAAAxM/Ewewr6MNmno/s1600/london%2B-%2Bhousing%2B-%2Bhouse%2B-%2Bdevelopment%2B-%2Bshutterstock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RsR6sh7ATUE/VRqag0MeP8I/AAAAAAAAAxM/Ewewr6MNmno/s1600/london%2B-%2Bhousing%2B-%2Bhouse%2B-%2Bdevelopment%2B-%2Bshutterstock.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the
parties prepare to go head-to-head in the 2015 General Elections, housing<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>policy may be<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>a means of leveraging votes, but,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to what<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>extent<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>will<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>their
agendas<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>actually<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>have a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>noticeable<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>impact on the housing sector?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Temple attended a fantastic event<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>organised by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>PRP, which asked ‘what does the
General Election 2015 mean for the housing industry?’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
opening speaker Mike Craven (Lexington Partner and former Chief Media Spokesman
for the Labour Party) spent time exploring the unprecedented nature of this
election due to the uncertainty of which political party may hold the majority.
As the smaller parties such as UKIP and the Greens have started to gain
strength in some of the traditional strongholds of the ‘big three’, precious
votes which could win a majority for Labour or the Conservatives are being
lost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Due to
this uncertainty there’s not likely to be bold stance on issues such as
housing, on account of a reluctance to alienate any of their current
supporters. Steve Akehurst, Public Affairs Officer at Shelter, suggested that
housing is such a ‘personal’ issue that it can often be highly controversial.
Indeed the parties policies are notably similar; Labour have set their target
at 200,000 new homes in the next term, with Conservatives planning for a
similar level and Liberal Democrats at 300,000. All parties also recognise the need for more affordable housing
and protection of the greenbelt. However, it was concluded that housing would
be more prominent in the campaigns now than it was back in 2005. Voters
will be expecting the parties to set out policies that will help relieve the
pressure of a market which is struggling to meet demand. In
particular we could see polices that attract the votes of 20/30
year olds with young families who are unable to move out of the
parental home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steve
Akehurst also suggested that parties are unlikely to set out strong policies in
the run up to the election, as these kinds of policies are unlikely to swing
their campaigns. The speaker also felt that the next term in Government would
not see such radical change to the planning system, such as the NPPF which is
now bedding down quite well.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The
uncertainty of the current political climate brought into question whether
there should be an ‘Independent Committee’ set up to champion these large new
housing development schemes – urban extensions; new garden cities – to ensure
that there is a long-term driver towards building new homes outside of
political time-scales.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Temple's <b><span style="color: orange;">Peter Cole</span></b> (Principal Consultant) discusses Temple's take on what's needed from future housing policies; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<i>The dichotomy that the
Conservative Party is currently grappling with in terms of new housing is one
that I think the UK as a whole has to wake up to. Building solely on brownfield
sites is not going to solve our housing shortage and the uneasy co-existence of
house building/buying incentives and greenbelt protection is only going to get
more complicated. Our role as environmental planners and sustainability
practitioners is to make those hard choices slightly easier for everyone to
live with...."</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</div>
Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-75532417980393301532015-02-20T03:09:00.000-08:002015-02-23T23:46:10.375-08:00Engineering the best environment for partnership<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Giulia Civello</span></b> - <i>Senior Consultant</i> & <b><span style="color: orange;">Carole Quinn</span></b> - <i>Consultant</i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mkMLfzT1TTc/VOcUwV6AOtI/AAAAAAAAAwE/jRTyVfheKGQ/s1600/engineering%2B-%2Benvironmental%2Bconsultant%2B-%2Bplanning%2B-%2Bbrainstorm%2B-%2Bblog%2B-%2Bshutterstock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mkMLfzT1TTc/VOcUwV6AOtI/AAAAAAAAAwE/jRTyVfheKGQ/s1600/engineering%2B-%2Benvironmental%2Bconsultant%2B-%2Bplanning%2B-%2Bbrainstorm%2B-%2Bblog%2B-%2Bshutterstock.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Key to the delivery of a successful infrastructure
project is an effective working partnership between engineers and environmental
consultants. A successful relationship between these two parties provides
benefits throughout the project lifecycle and ultimately results in the
delivery of a better project for less cost.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Temple
Group’s experience on major infrastructure projects has highlighted three key
areas which are integral to a successful partnership between environmental
consultants and engineers:</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">effective communication;</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a bespoke team set up; and</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">clearly defined deliverables embedded within an integrated
programme.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Combining these factors enables environmental consultants
and engineers to form a productive partnership, striking a balance between
finding an effective environmental outcome without entailing excessive cost or
compromising design feasibility. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Benefits include the
development of a more robust design which can withstand challenge, facilitate
the gaining of consents, decrease development and capital costs and deliver a
project with a reduced environmental impact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of the key
factors in realising these benefits have been learnt through Temple Group’s
role on major infrastructure projects, including HS2 and the Norton
Bridge Scheme, which was the subject of a Development Consent Order
application.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Effective communication</b><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Typically, tensions
between engineers and environmental consultants result from physical working
barriers. The need to react quickly to client demands can often result in a
lack of consultation with the environmental team. Co-location breaks down these barriers,
creating a cohesive, integrated team who understand each other’s working
processes and decision making structure. It promotes clear and efficient
communication, which enables a more rapid response to be provided to the
client. <u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Close collaborative
working between the two teams facilitates an iterative design process and prevents
the development of design options which are not feasible from either an
engineering or environmental perspective. A proactive rather than reactive
working relationship enables the teams to work together to produce an optimal
solution from the outset, rather than providing comment retrospectively which
incurs additional time and cost.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Team set up</b><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A dedicated
engineering liaison team within the environmental team provides a clear
point of contact for the project engineers and controls the flow of information.
This also ensures that the engineering / environment interface is clearly
visible to the client, something which can be lacking on projects where both
engineering and environmental services are provided by a large
multidisciplinary firm. This interface provides an important opportunity to
critically review and challenge engineering designs ensuring a robust project
in the event of challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Multidisciplinary
workshops</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b> </b>are an important tool to facilitate an integrated
approach to design, bringing together environmental and engineering expertise.
Workshops are particularly important for the development of mitigation, ensuring
that environmental measures are developed in the context of engineering
constraints and requirements, and thereby preventing abortive work and
additional costs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“Differing perspectives, opinions and ways
of doing things, don’t have to be seen as a negative; it can be the driver for
improved performance, the push to go beyond the norm and can be the difference
between a good and a great project.” </i><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Robert
Slatcher, Temple Group</b></span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Clearly defining deliverables</b><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is critical to the success of a project that
deliverables are fit for their intended purpose. For the environmental
consultant, this is most likely the Environmental Impact Assessment. In order
to ensure that deliverables are fit for purpose, they must be clearly defined
and agreed by all key parties and the client at project inception. This shared
understanding should include elements such as the delivery date, and also the
deliverable format. A commonly encountered example which covers both these
issues is GIS shapefiles versus engineering CAD files. While the engineering
design is often held within a CAD model, the environmental topic teams are
dependent on GIS shapefiles to complete their assessment. The conversion
between CAD and GIS is not an instantaneous process and requires rigorous
checking to ensure that the GIS outputs accurately align with the CAD model. Any
agreed delivery dates of an engineering design to environmental assessment
teams must therefore build in time for this conversion and quality checking to
take place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This example highlights the importance of mutual
understanding between the engineering and environment teams as to the end use
of their deliverables, something that is greatly improved through an
integrated, co-located team.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The delivery of a robust design on time and on
budget is ultimately dependent on inputs being received in good time ahead of a
design freeze and the careful sequencing of workstreams across the engineering
and environment teams. Therefore, an <b>integrated programme</b> which reflects
the interaction between engineering and environment is fundamental to project
delivery.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“There will always be a balance
between engineering, cost, societal benefit / impact and environmental
protection – that is in essence what sustainable development is all about! But
as long as each of these factors is given due consideration and dealt in a
constructive and professional way, then it will be for the good of the scheme.”
</i></span><b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tom Smeeton, Temple Group</span></span></i></b></div>
Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-44480706441833790462015-02-17T08:29:00.000-08:002015-02-18T06:21:58.112-08:00MIPIM 2015 - The ‘F’ Words<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: orange;">James While</span></b> - <i>Account Director</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_CSTz-A7F8/VONogLoe9VI/AAAAAAAAAv0/RSpC6TwqMbo/s1600/MIPIM%2B-%2Bbusiness%2Bcards%2B-%2Bnetworking%2B-%2Bshutterstock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_CSTz-A7F8/VONogLoe9VI/AAAAAAAAAv0/RSpC6TwqMbo/s1600/MIPIM%2B-%2Bbusiness%2Bcards%2B-%2Bnetworking%2B-%2Bshutterstock.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’re anything like me, by now you’ve
told your colleagues that you’re one of the chosen few to represent your
company's interests at MIPIM.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, continuing the assumption, you’ll have
had a mixed response from said colleagues, from the green eyed jealousy of the
unchosen many to the cynicism of those that simply see it as a jolly, to the few
that consider it an essential networking tool for the business planning cycle.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The success of your trip is down to YOU.
Nobody else. Assuming it’s in your hands, then I reckon you can manage your own
success. And here’s how:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Foundation:</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are three elements here. Agreeing what
success looks like and plugging that vision into the key business drivers of
your organisation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sit down with your colleagues.
Ask THEM what, in their view, would aid their commercial imperatives? Which of
their key accounts and projects are attending and what value (or potential
damage) would a MIPIM hook-up have?</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">The key here is to get your colleagues
to tell you what they and the business needs. Once you’ve expressed and defined
those KPIs back, you have no excuse for not doing your damnest to deliver
them.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make sure you’ve trawled the
databases to know which of your key targets are going. And, think about what
you’re going to say that’s going to be memorable once you deliver that dreaded
elevator pitch in Café Roma.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Focus:</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second of our F words describes your
doing mode once there. As with everything in life this is not a binary thing; I
believe that a diary can be over managed and it’s worth thinking that a stable
foundation needs intermittent, not continuous support.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s my belief that you should have 70% of
your MIPIM activities as pre-arranged focal points. If you try to plan further
than this then you will miss organic opportunities that may arise ‘out in the
field’ and you will become frustrated that some of the ‘bankers’ you’d
pre-arranged need to be moved and you’ve no space to move them to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Free forming:</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That 30% of free time is key. You will meet
people you've not seen for years or you’ll meet new people that have something
real and tangible to offer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leave space to accommodate these. It also
allows a degree of mental peaking and troughing. You cannot, by definition, focus for 14 hours a day. Having
pauses in your workload will allow a natural breathing space for relationships, that may not otherwise have happened, to blossom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Follow-Ups:</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How many people have you seen come back
from MIPIM with more cards than Paperchase littered across their desks and no
clue as to how to manage them?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s an absolute truism to say MIPIM really
starts once you’ve left. </span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The reason for this is simple - this is when you start ‘doing stuff’- making
contact, moving ideas, collaborations, developments forward.</span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you get back there are two key stages
to your follow-ups;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Wash Up: Go back to the Foundation.
Look at the KPIs you and your colleagues agreed and give them back each and
every point with your activity and success therein related. Then, decide the
strategy to deliver the outcome; a visit, a meeting, a presentation, a
financial model.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out There: As quickly as you can, seize the
momentum you’ve created. Get on the phone, drive through your agreed meetings
and your agreed initiatives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make sure it happens. Because the only
person that can do that is YOU.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-75263285648853528452015-02-09T03:22:00.003-08:002015-02-18T06:14:31.469-08:00Don’t beat around the bush: why developer’s need to plan for ecology<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: orange;">John Newton</span></b><span style="color: #545454;"> </span>- <i>Managing Director, The Ecology Consultancy</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpS7BGwIgp0/VNiYUT3cFGI/AAAAAAAAAvg/_TE7rgQVrfk/s1600/bats%2Bin%2Bcity%2Bcentre%2B-%2Becology%2B-%2Btransactional%2Bservices%2B-%2Bbat%2B-%2BTEC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpS7BGwIgp0/VNiYUT3cFGI/AAAAAAAAAvg/_TE7rgQVrfk/s1600/bats%2Bin%2Bcity%2Bcentre%2B-%2Becology%2B-%2Btransactional%2Bservices%2B-%2Bbat%2B-%2BTEC.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Ecology</span></em><span class="st1"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> is the relationship of living things to
each other and to the environment in which they live. If carefully understood
and properly assessed, ecological issues can greatly enhance the value of a
development. On the other hand, it not managed well, ecological issues can
cause developers significant problems.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="st1"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In addition, if
harm is caused to particular species, developers can incur substantial fines. Thus,
it is critical to follow the legislation that protects wildlife. Luckily, with
the correct advice this need not be as onerous as it sounds. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Developments
can impact on ecology in a number of ways. As well as the obvious direct loss of species and habitats from ground
works, ecological features can be damaged by disturbance from noise, light, and
air pollution. Another danger is the
spread of so-called invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed, which can
spread rapidly and damage infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So what do we need to do? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Wildlife
surveys are an established part of the pre-planning submission stage and take various
forms. Normally a site is first assessed by undertaking a Preliminary
Ecological Appraisal (PEA) which incorporates a desk study, a Phase 1 Habitat
Survey and a protected species assessment, these are not costly. Together these results indicate the site’s
likely value for both species and habitats, and gives an idea of whether there
are likely to be any issues that will affect the development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Further
surveys may be required if a PEA suggests that protected species are present on
site. These may be species that are protected nationally or across Europe.
Included in the latter category of European Protected Species are all 18 bat
species in the UK, as well as the great crested newt, otter and dormouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Proposals for
large developments require the assessment of ecological impacts to be included
in planning applications, and to provide mitigation for any significant
ecological impacts. As a result, surveys for European Protected Species and
protected habitats are becoming part and parcel of applications for most large
developments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Timing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The timing of
ecology surveys is an aspect of the development process that is often
overlooked. Whilst badger surveys can be undertaken throughout the year, if
bats or dormouse are presumed to be present on your development site, survey timings
require much more consideration. Surveys for some forms of bat activity can
only be undertaken from May to August; surveys for dormice can only be
undertaken from April to November. Find our survey calendar <a href="http://www.ecologyconsultancy.co.uk/knowledge-hub/survey-calendar" target="_blank">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Avoidance isn’t the solution<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Avoiding the
problem will not make it go away. Developers have previously tried to avoid ecological
issues by proposing mitigation in the absence of surveys; however, this is poor
practice and is not accepted by the statutory agencies. Local authorities must have evidence that the
proposed development will not be detrimental to protected species and the only
way to prove that is through a survey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the case
of a number of species poor planning of surveys can mean a wait of six months or
more until the survey season comes round again. Thus it is important to plan
surveys early in the project. That way, any ecological issues can be dealt with
with minimal disruption and cost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Case studies<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The following
are examples of major infrastructure projects that have benefited from the
early planning of ecological surveys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Beyond Green, Norfolk; <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A large
mixed-use residential development north of Norwich, to include two new schools,
public open space and over 80 hectares of arable reversion to create a large
country park, was proposed by Beyond Green. The Ecology Consultancy was engaged
to work with them on the project. Surveys covered habitats, protected species,
bryophytes and invertebrates. We carried out a strategic ecological assessment
and technical reporting, along with the preparation of the ecology chapter for
the environmental statement. Green infrastructure was designed to maximise both
nature conservation and recreational value.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Outline
planning permission was granted in September 2013 and, unusually for a
development of this size, there were no objections on ecological grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">M25 widening programme; <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Ecology
Consultancy, working alongside the contractor Skanska Balfour Beatty JV, has
been protecting wildlife during a scheme to widen the M25 over a number of
years. The Ecology Consultancy contributed the ecology and biodiversity chapter
of an award-winning Assessment for Section 4a, a 5.3 mile stretch between
Junctions 27 and 28.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Temple, working alongside The Ecology
Consultancy, can now provide the whole range of environmental services
including ecological survey and mitigation.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-34746106462053964472015-01-30T08:06:00.003-08:002015-02-20T03:51:29.167-08:00Intelligent Land Valuation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=147069579&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=LL0s&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2&trkInfo=tarId%3A1422633982680%2Ctas%3Asimon%20perry%2Cidx%3A1-1-1" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: orange;">Simon Perry</span></b> - <i>Principal Consultant</i></a> & <b><span style="color: orange;">Rachel Lambert</span></b> - <i>Consultant</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is there such a thing as an undevelopable site?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are a wide range of factors which affect the
development potential of sites but with increasingly sophisticated tools and measures at our disposal, difficult sites are becoming more viable. This fact, coupled with the renewed
competition for premium development sites, means that it is now more important
than ever that developers have a fundamental understanding of the constraints,
threats and opportunities of prospective sites. These factors will impact the development potential of the land and a proper understanding of these at acquisition
stage is therefore highly advantageous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quantifying and managing the opportunities and constraints faced
by a development can broadly be broken down into four phases (these have been
mapped and presented here below). These
are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_JsT5NWM95s/VOcfeJk2LPI/AAAAAAAAAwU/5D_2uwKZ8TU/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_JsT5NWM95s/VOcfeJk2LPI/AAAAAAAAAwU/5D_2uwKZ8TU/s1600/Capture.JPG" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Development
purpose<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The aspirations and needs for the proposed development site must
be understood and the associated costs must be considered, along with the
market it is intended to serve. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Development Opportunities,
Threats and Constraints<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the aspirations for a development on the site are
understood it is essential that an understanding of the threats and constraints
(which may affect the viability of the development) along with the
opportunities (which may assist) be appraised. These are generally centred on
the following areas:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Environment:</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Is the site accessible?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Are there any utilities that affect the ability
of the site to be developed?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Is the site located next to a main road or other extraneous noise source which
will require mitigation?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Are there underlying contaminated land issues?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Is the site at risk of flooding?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Are there any ecological features which may
hinder development?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Are there ecological and landscape features that
could be used to make the development more attractive?</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Planning:</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Is the development in line with policy?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">What is the political appetite for development
on this site?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Does this development meet national and local
needs?</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Community:</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Do the local community want this development?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Is this land valued by the local community?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Will the development bring local benefits?</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-indent: -24px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: -24px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Constraints
management<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By identifying the constraints it is possible to plan for
the management of these issues and to understand the financial
implications. It also enables a
strategic assessment of how well the land fits within a wider development
portfolio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Maximise opportunities<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As well as constraints, understanding the opportunities
enables development value to be maximised by ensuring the opportunities are
fully realised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Informed purchasing can be achieved through these steps. Difficult sites can be developed as long as
the opportunities, constraints and issues are understood, although these sites in the final analysis may
not appeal to all. Even sites which on
the face of it appear to be simple can become problematic if proper analysis is
not done at the earliest opportunity. Effective planning at the
acquisition stage minimises the probability of nasty surprises later on in the
programme and ensures opportunities are maximised and realised at an early stage. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-53734373435730976702015-01-30T06:12:00.000-08:002015-02-25T06:15:24.324-08:00Build costs going through the roof...<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=42103510&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=kgQT&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2&trkInfo=tarId%3A1422627243316%2Ctas%3Aben%20harris%2Cidx%3A1-1-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Ben Harris</b> </span>- <i>Technical Director</i></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2ywr66URW0/VMuQ-lRmV1I/AAAAAAAAAuw/vdjY5U2Jzrk/s1600/transactional%2Bimage%2B-%2Bbuildings%2B-%2Bskyscraper%2B-%2Bcity%2B-%2BLondon%2B-%2Bdevelopment%2B-%2Bshutterstock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2ywr66URW0/VMuQ-lRmV1I/AAAAAAAAAuw/vdjY5U2Jzrk/s1600/transactional%2Bimage%2B-%2Bbuildings%2B-%2Bskyscraper%2B-%2Bcity%2B-%2BLondon%2B-%2Bdevelopment%2B-%2Bshutterstock.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The recovery is bringing its own challenges. <b>As the market
picks up the development opportunities increase but everyone wants to build at
the same time</b>. Costs are increasing as the market adjusts to new conditions and
it leaves us looking at the price of land in a different light. These pressures
are greatest in the South East with London topping the chart of most expensive
places to build in the world<span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"> <span style="color: #0b5394;">[1]</span></span>.
A skills shortage may slow the growth of
the sector but what can be done to keep developments on track?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tightening up on material and resource costs has helped many
to maintain margin</b> and the use of more efficient building techniques not only
reduces material use but can also reduce onsite labour. To make the most out of
sites and the talent in the industry do we need to rethink how and what we
build? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Planning how we use materials and how their use affects
programme and budget have been common in large infrastructure projects for a
number of years and the savings are significant.</b> Off-site construction and
management plans for materials, carbon, waste and water have all contributed to
lower costs and are now common in value management. After getting over the
initial hump of implementing BIM, the projects that use it are also seeing
savings, particularly in early clash detection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Often it is left to the contractor to kick off these
techniques to manage their own costs. <b>Could more developers make use of these
tools to make more out of their sites? </b>Instead of tucking in a wall here or
reducing a quality specification there could we revisit the design completely?
What if, from the outset, we looked at the development from a focus of low
construction cost brought about by reducing time on site, using higher value
techniques and minimising the use of materials?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Resource Management Planning is an effective way to engage
the whole supply chain in using resources efficiently and saving cost. Housing
and commercial developments can expect to realise a cost benefit of up to 2%<span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"> <span style="color: #0b5394;">[2]</span><span style="color: blue;">.</span></span>by taking this approach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If you would like to reduce the cost and environmental
impact of your resources, speak to our Technical Director, <span style="color: #e69138;">Ben Harris</span> on 0207 394
3700.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/genevieve.oller/workingfiles/workspace.templegroup.co.uk/transactional%20services%203%20-%20BH%20article%20-%20building%20costs%20going%20through%20the%20roof%20-%20300115.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[1] </span></span></span></a><a href="http://www.arcadis.com/Content/ArcadisGlobal/Docs/publications/Research/9110_International_Cost_Construction_Report_FINAL_WEB.pdf">http://www.arcadis.com/Content/ArcadisGlobal/Docs/publications/Research/9110_International_Cost_Construction_Report_FINAL_WEB.pdf</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/genevieve.oller/workingfiles/workspace.templegroup.co.uk/transactional%20services%203%20-%20BH%20article%20-%20building%20costs%20going%20through%20the%20roof%20-%20300115.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
WRAP Cost Benefit Analysis</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-42100769227705204612015-01-27T05:50:00.002-08:002015-01-27T06:30:11.428-08:00MIPIM - The True Survival Guide<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: orange;">James While</span></b> - <i>Account Director</i></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfs4JEeEkJU/VMeXeCwpQdI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/0UwylIdq8xI/s1600/MIPIM%2B-%2Bnetworking%2B-%2Bbeachfront%2B-%2Bblog%2Bpicture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfs4JEeEkJU/VMeXeCwpQdI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/0UwylIdq8xI/s1600/MIPIM%2B-%2Bnetworking%2B-%2Bbeachfront%2B-%2Bblog%2Bpicture.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Turn the clock back only a few years and stories of
excess and indulgence on the French </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 15.3333320617676px;">Riviera</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> are stuff that would make some rugby
tours look like a tea party.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As with all these things however, many, not all, of these
fables were apocryphal; handed down from generation to generation of developer
and <b>e</b>mbellished each successive year
with another jewel of dubious veracity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2009 was a watershed for many of us in our behemoth
industry. Crashing stocks, bank uncertainty and the evaporation of liquidity
conspired to turn the thriving MIPIM legend into a beachfront as bare as an icy
Blackpool in January.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, as with all of the best slimming regimes, MIPIM
emerged the other side, leaner, fitter for purpose and hungry for action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Focus is the key word; one grain of wisdom replacing a
myriad of excess, like rice versus confetti, and, if you’re taking the trip
down, embrace that focus. Our advice is be prepared, concise, purposeful and
know why you’re there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The biggest pitfalls are gametes of meaningless appointments, fertilised with a good degree of
Apprentice-inspired irrelevant sales-speak; language that would have you fired
by Lord Sugar before Nick Hewar could even frown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, when faced with that chance to pitch your elevator
(pun intended) look at it from the client side; think about what they NEED, the first, second and last principle of any
form of selling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here’s Temple’s view on how to approach this; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1.
Tell your client why what you do works.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Know your
product and portfolio; show examples and schemes that provided clever
solutions to difficult development problems. And tell them how you worked
it out and what the benefit was. They want to know how you think first
and then what your schemes look like afterwards. How you think is what
makes you different from other consultants. Your projects are the result of
someone else’s brief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">2.
Don’t tell them you do everything.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Please don’t
tell them you’re a Masterplanner when all you have in your portfolio of built
projects is residential developments. You might have the skills, but they
will be very unlikely to hire you to masterplan a 20-acre site if you can’t
show them a project you have already
done. Be honest. Pitch to work on a job you can show you can
do. Get to know your client and grow your work that way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">3.
Show good pictures and tell a story!</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Don’t show
plans or black and white elevations. If it’s all </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">you've</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> got, then you
should have invested in some decent renders or CGIs. Your clients are
only human; seduce them by beautiful pictures that show benefit - both esoteric
and commercial; if you’re having a discussion about technical detail and it
would help to pore over a plan, bring one as a backup. Even worse
are hugely detailed slides, mostly about
sustainability systems showing tree, sun and cloud symbols, arrows, flow charts
and statistics. Impenetrable, boring and something best left to the
detailers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">4.
Talk about people.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Architecture
and property development is only about one thing. People. How are they
going to live, work and play in the schemes we design. How are places
going to be economically and socially sustainable for the people who live in
them? What will they enjoy about what we design? Tell your client about
the people who are going to be their customers. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">Without people there is no need for property.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">5.
Do your research before you come.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Your clients
are specialist, mixed-use regeneration developers. It says so on their website,
right at the top. They won’t be interested in resi conversions, sheds,
hospitals or country houses. So don’t waste your time either showing those things or going to see them if that’s
what you specialize in. You would spend your time so much more profitably
with another developer who does what you do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Having said
all of the above, MIPIM is a broad church; people are there to meet, and
forging relationships through the mutual pain of sandblasted
eyes and throbbing feet produces bonds that are durable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">But don’t
expect commercial miracles simply by just turning up; this is about hard work
and seeding capital for relationships; fertilise those seeds and cultivate the
roots you put down and your following year could be something very special
indeed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Temple are heading to this year's MIPIM, find more information <a href="http://www.templegroup.co.uk/pages/newsManager.cfm?page_id=7&news_id=147&headline=temple_attending_top_property_event_in_march_2015_" target="_blank">here</a>. If you're interested in booking a meeting with our team, please contact; marketing@templegroup.co.uk. </span></div>
Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-20965029079487787282015-01-13T03:38:00.001-08:002015-01-13T03:38:10.194-08:00Carbon verification – Taking a leaf out of the accountant’s book<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Erica Ward</span></b> - <i>Senior Consultant</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CYnyQ1GiGPc/VLUCm5AHGvI/AAAAAAAAAuA/5cfUAu8Y8bo/s1600/carbon%2Bverification%2B-%2Bmail%2Bout%2B-%2Bshutterstock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CYnyQ1GiGPc/VLUCm5AHGvI/AAAAAAAAAuA/5cfUAu8Y8bo/s1600/carbon%2Bverification%2B-%2Bmail%2Bout%2B-%2Bshutterstock.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would
you invest in a company based on unaudited accounts? When a company publishes
its financial accounts we expect these accounts to have been fully audited and
assured for accuracy. We need to have the confidence in that company and its
performance. We are accordingly shocked when companies and their financial auditors
get it wrong, and investments take a tumble, as recently happened when with a
major UK retailer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So why is
environmental data any different? According to research commissioned by the
Global Reporting Initiative and Accounting for Sustainability the majority of
investors and analysts (77%) rate external assurance of ‘extra-financial’
reporting as very important or important<a href="file:///C:/Users/genevieve.oller/workingfiles/workspace.templegroup.co.uk/temp/Carbon%20verification%20blog.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[1]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Verification
of environmental data, however, is still very much a minority activity. In
2013, fewer than 40% of UK FTSE 350 companies independently verified their organisational
carbon footprint<a href="file:///C:/Users/genevieve.oller/workingfiles/workspace.templegroup.co.uk/temp/Carbon%20verification%20blog.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[2]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
This is startling given that this group of companies should be leading the
environmental disclosure agenda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When
comparing the risks of investment in otherwise similar companies, having verified
data may make all the difference to an investor, and in time could have an
effect on stock prices. Greater disclosure and particularly verified disclosure
by environmental professionals only goes to help investors make the decision to
invest. Whilst environmental reporting is still evolving, it is no longer an
excuse when it comes to carbon; the general consensus on approach to
undertaking a carbon footprint coupled with international standards (e.g. ISO
14064) enable us to compare organisations directly if their reporting
mechanisms comply and are verified. In a similar way, waste and water reporting
have also become more standardised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that
carbon and other environmental reporting have grown up as it were, the benefits
of verification are clear. It means internal decisions-makers can take long
term environmental risks into account and be confident that they are responding
to the most important risks for their business. Today’s increasingly sceptical
investors will also have the assurance that disclosures of environmental data can
be confidently relied on when they analyse the impact on value creation and
risk. Verification of emissions reductions and other improvements help create certainty
regarding progress against targets, whether they are for an organisation or an
individual project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’d be
interested to hear your views and experiences of non-financial verification; if
you’d like to get in touch please contact <a href="mailto:martin.gibson@templegroup.co.uk"><b>Martin Gibson</b></a><b> on
0207 394 3700</b>.<span class="Bold"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/genevieve.oller/workingfiles/workspace.templegroup.co.uk/temp/Carbon%20verification%20blog.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[1]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<a href="http://www.accountingforsustainability.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/What-investors-and-analysts-said-The-value-of-extra-financial-disclosure.pdf">Radley
Yeldar (commissioned by Global Reporting Initiative & Accounting for
Sustainability), 2012, <i>The value of
extra-financial disclosure: What investors and analysts said.</i></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/genevieve.oller/workingfiles/workspace.templegroup.co.uk/temp/Carbon%20verification%20blog.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[2]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Figure based on<i> </i>52% of the 260 FTSE
350 companies that disclosed under CDP, from: <a href="https://www.cdp.net/CDPResults/CDP-FTSE-350-Climate-Change-Report-2013.pdf">Carbon
Disclosure Project, 2013, <i>Are UK
companies prepared for the international impacts of climate change?</i></a></span><i> </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-51395826115247794782014-11-26T06:22:00.001-08:002015-04-29T07:13:11.146-07:00A Turquoise Thames?<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b style="color: orange;">Stephen Glenny</b><i> - Consultant</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BUaydG7A74M/VGy-TNSb2pI/AAAAAAAAAYM/6WV-AuwzGns/s1600/Turquoise%2BCities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BUaydG7A74M/VGy-TNSb2pI/AAAAAAAAAYM/6WV-AuwzGns/s1600/Turquoise%2BCities.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he Thames has been many colours over the
years, but can it be turquoise?<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Temple recently discussed <a href="http://temple-group.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/river-views-from-temple.html" style="color: #6fa8dc;" target="_blank">using the Thames more effectively</a>.In this blog, we use our concept of <a href="http://temple-group.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/temple-at-base-london-turquoise-cities.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Turquoise Cities</span></a> to assess TfL and the
Mayor of London’s River Action Plan. The Turquoise Cities concept addresses the
blend of four elements needed for a sustainable city: liveability &
usability, water & climate resilience, harnessing environmental systems and
being innovation enabled. We previously
applied this concept to assess <a href="http://temple-group.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/london-2050-sets-big-ambitions-but-will.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">London's draft Infrastructure Plan for 2050</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overview of the River Action Plan<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The River
Action Plan for the Thames was published in February 2013. It outlined
improvements to river services between now and 2020 with the aim of increasing
passenger journeys to 12 million and ensuring that Londoners and visitors make
the most of the river. £10m has been allocated for delivery of the actions (approximately
£1.4m a year). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The plan
gives actions in four key areas: better piers; better information and
integration; better promotion and better partnership working. Three main
delivery phases are identified:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2013-2014:
improved pier management, signage and integration plus new promotional activity;</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2014-2015:
completion of physical works to expand the capacity of key piers; and</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beyond
2015: occupation of new riverside developments.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Initial signs
for increasing the use of the Thames for transport are good: there were record
passenger numbers in 2013/14 and significant growth in both River Bus and River
Tours services. However, what is the longer-term future likely to hold?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Turquoise City Assessment</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So is the <a href="http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/river-action-plan.pdf">River
Action Plan</a> strong on strategic intent and deliverability across the four
elements needed for a Turquoise city? The overall rating is illustrated on the
grid below and it shows that the strategic intent could be much stronger in all
four elements. It also suggests that the actions needed to address water and
climate resilience and the harnessing of environmental systems will be hard to
deliver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OyB0UvUycvU/VGzEMytm2nI/AAAAAAAAAYc/Wf8HVR9jbio/s1600/pic%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OyB0UvUycvU/VGzEMytm2nI/AAAAAAAAAYc/Wf8HVR9jbio/s1600/pic%2B2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let’s take
each area in turn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Liveable & Usable: </b><i>Making
places more enjoyable, safe and inviting to live and improving quality of life.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The River
Action Plan clearly states that it wants to improve piers as places for people
to enjoy, attracting more visitors to the riverside and onto boats. The plan gives
actions such as exploring “high-quality public realms including small river
plazas, seating, weather protection and other such facilities that make piers
more attractive as public places.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is also
recognised that better information and integration contribute to the user
experience. To address this, plans are afoot for seamless interchanges through
clear wayfinding and signage of routes between piers and other public transport
networks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Discussion of
how the Thames and the riverbanks could be enhanced beyond the piers is not
covered, as the document is purely focused on transport, limiting the potential
actions. Recent plans have been released by the River Cycleway Consortium for an 8-mile floating bicycle
path on the Thames: Though the benefits of this scheme compared to the level of
investment involved may be questioned, proponents would argue that London needs
iconic ideas such as this to ensure it remains a world city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A similar level
of ambition could be included with this action plan. As the plan acknowledges, making
the riverside an enjoyable environment and destination for locals and visitors
will help to grow the use of the Thames for transport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Water and Climate Resilient:</b> <i>Reducing
vulnerability of people, infrastructure and assets to extreme weather,
exacerbated by climate change.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very little
mention is made of climate resilience in the plan. This may be because the
Thames benefits from the Thames barrier, which is predicted to provide
sufficient protection from tidal surges and river flooding until at least 2070.
Putting aside nightmare scenarios of extreme flooding, increasing the use of
the Thames could help to alleviate the impacts of climate change on other
public transport; it could act as a useful alternative transport route if other
methods are affected by localised flash flooding or overheating. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Harnessing environmental systems</b>: <i>Use
of Green and Blue infrastructure for provision of ecosystems services in an
urban setting.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the use
of the Thames for transport is a form of harnessing an environmental system, the
idea of including environmental systems and the services they provide is not
included in the plan. The inclusion of Green Infrastructure and Sustainable
Urban Drainage within designs for pier and nearby enhancements would be a good
place to start. These provide rainwater attenuation, biodiversity in an urban
environment and local air quality benefits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Incorporating
environmental systems into the infrastructure of the Thames has been in the
news recently with plans for a ’garden bridge’ spanning the river near Temple
station. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Innovation Enabled:</b> <i>System
of systems<b> </b>approach to design and
integration of connected assets and infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The plan’s
discussion of innovation covers wave-and-pay payment technology; integration
with other modes of transport, such as hire bikes; and provision of real time
information for passengers termed ‘iBoat’. These data will be made available
for third party developers to use for app development. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The plan also
mentions that TfL will encourage boat operators to adopt eco-driving techniques
and explore innovative technology, such as hybrid engines to reduce emissions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The actions
covered in the plan are a good start but could be more ambitious to help
deliver an innovation enabled transport system. For example, incorporating
innovations such as renewables (e.g. Solar PV) into the piers and boats would reduce
emissions, operating costs and make river transport more affordable, while
greater application of an “internet of things” approach could provide further
benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only when
river transport services are fully integrated with the rest of London’s
transport system will they be able to realise their full potential. This will
require more strategic intent across wider systems than a piers and passenger
numbers focus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summary <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would a broader River Action Plan,
including transport as a key element, be a better way to provide leadership on
the use of the Thames? <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
Turquoise Cities assessment is intended to help focus productive dialogue on
how the plan could achieve even more. The remit of the current plan is
necessarily narrow in focus: produced by TfL, it focuses on transport
improvements only. There is certainly a case for including this plan as part of
a more ambitious River Thames Action Plan, looking at what can be achieved on
and alongside the Thames to make it an innovative, usable, resilient and
integrated part of the city. The success of events such as the <a href="http://totallythames.org/">Totally Thames Festival</a> demonstrates that
there is an appetite for making the most of the Thames. If the River Action
Plan can help to harness this, then maybe one day we could see a metaphorical Turquoise
Thames bustling with Londoners and visitors on its boats as well as its banks</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-40898989029975043262014-11-13T07:39:00.001-08:002015-01-13T03:38:45.733-08:00Building relationships to deliver projects<div class="Body">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b style="color: orange;">Tanya Burdett </b>-<b> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><i>Environment, Planning and Community Engagement Manager / </i></span></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Temple Associate </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">and <b><span style="color: orange;">Vikki Hilton</span></b> - <i>Director, Hilton Associates</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bNiiR9kccT4/VGTPqpzKA0I/AAAAAAAAAX4/cU5QMEtuE38/s1600/relationship%20-%20teambuilding%20-%20team%20-%20power%20words%20-%20shutterstock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bNiiR9kccT4/VGTPqpzKA0I/AAAAAAAAAX4/cU5QMEtuE38/s400/relationship%20-%20teambuilding%20-%20team%20-%20power%20words%20-%20shutterstock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Successful engagement requires many things, but ultimately it’s about building relationships, trust and respect. To achieve this, we need to engage in a way that is clear and consistent; accessible, timely, shows care and allows for feedback. Our communications should also be relevant, comprehensive and truthful. This may sound a lot to take into consideration, but worthwhile if one is to forge strong relationships with our ‘community’, whatever that community may look like. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These have been key success elements for most projects, large and small, that we, as Licensed Trainers in the <a href="http://www.iap2.org/?page=A14" target="_blank">International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Foundations course</a>, have been involved in throughout our collective 50 years of experience. In many cases communities can be treated as a nuisance factor. Yet flip that view around, and one can see some real benefits to engagement. Numerous studies by UK organisations (such as <a href="http://www.involve.org.uk/blog/category/publications/" target="_blank">Involve</a>) and others (for example the <a href="http://kettering.org/read-watch-listen/publications/" target="_blank">Kettering Foundation</a>), provide evidence of the benefits (and costs). All we need to do is take some time to get to know the communities we work within and our key stakeholders who we rely on for delivery. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There have been numerous times when working with engineers, designers, scientists, technical professionals, project managers and builders that the discussion of ‘building’ comes up. We’re all building something – some, tangible physical infrastructure; others, technical solutions and scientific programmes that advance our health care, environment and economy. When discussing objectives of any project and what we as a project team want to achieve as public participation practitioners, we will often talk about ‘building’ relationships. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ultimately we are striving to provide quality – in engagement, training, capacity building, and in sharing best practice. IAP2 is a vehicle for this through the annual <a href="http://www.iap2.org/?page=A4" target="_blank">Core Values awards</a> issued to demonstrate and celebrate good practice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'd welcome your views and experiences on building relationships with stakeholders in the comments box below, for example: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can we really build meaningful relationships with stakeholders that prevent issues arising in the development process?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does ignoring your stakeholders really save you money in the long run?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How can you involve stakeholders in a meaningful way without adding vast amounts of time and cost to your delivery programme?</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Collectively Tanya and Vikki bring together a wealth of experience in promoting effective engagement strategies, from working on large infrastructure projects with government organisations and the private sector in the UK and overseas as well as with NGO’s and marginalised groups. Come join them in learning more about effective engagement strategies in the <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/iap2-foundations-in-public-participation-course-tickets-12651865069?ref=ebtn" target="_blank">IAP2 training</a> offered in London 1-5 December. </i></div>
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Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-90790159951414143502014-11-13T05:23:00.000-08:002014-11-13T07:39:36.254-08:00Developers face changes in air quality policy<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Alaric Lester </span></b>- <i>Principal Consultant</i> and <b><span style="color: orange;">Enan Keogh</span></b> - <i>Senior Consultant</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EiV-oMb0aXU/VGSwLO__coI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Axak9vvXIHc/s1600/London%2Bskyline%2BIMG_9547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EiV-oMb0aXU/VGSwLO__coI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Axak9vvXIHc/s400/London%2Bskyline%2BIMG_9547.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Mayor of London has been busy on air quality this year,
not least because of the start of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/311448/EIR_response_RFI_6496_on_infraction_fines.pdf">infraction
proceedings by the European Commission</a><span class="MsoHyperlink">. </span>Also aside from TfL’s <a href="https://www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/low-emission-zone/ultra-low-emission-zone">consultation
on proposals for a London Ultra-Low Emission Zone</a> and Boris’s making an
appearance at the Environmental Audit Committee in September, the Mayor has
published two supplementary planning guidance (SPG) documents that may have
substantial implications for developers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sustainable Design and
Construction</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <a href="https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Sustainable%20Design%20%26%20Construction%20SPG.pdf"><i>Sustainable Design and Construction SPG</i></a>,
published in April, includes guidance that formalises the requirement for
developments with more than ten dwellings to be air-quality-neutral. For some
years there has been a concern that, while smaller developments do not themselves
lead to significant air quality effects, incremental additions to the air
pollution load serve to delay wider improvements in air quality. There are now
emissions benchmarks in the SPG that must be met, covering fixed plant (boilers
and CHP) and road traffic associated with the development. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The air-quality-neutral assessments themselves are
straightforward and do not add much cost to an air quality assessment or
environmental statement chapter. Our experience so far suggests that mitigation
of emissions that do not meet air-quality-neutral benchmarks will prove more
problematic. Even with ultra-low-NO<sub>x</sub> boilers or tight controls on
private car use, developments may still find themselves exceeding benchmarks. In
one recent case, even though transport emissions just exceeded the benchmark
and were based on a transport assessment that combined a number of worst-case
assumptions, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) still wanted additional
mitigation. We anticipate additional effort in negotiating appropriate planning
conditions that will be acceptable to the LPA and the developer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dust and Emissions</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also published in 2014 was an SPG on the <a href="https://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/planning/publications/the-control-of-dust-and-emissions-during-construction-and"><i>Control of Dust and Emissions During
Construction and Demolition</i></a>. This document builds on the GLA/ London
Councils 2006 best practice guidance,<i> </i><a href="http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/archives/mayor-environment-air_quality-docs-construction-dust-bpg.pdf"><i>The
control of dust and emissions from construction and demolition</i></a> and BRE’s <a href="http://www.brebookshop.com/details.jsp?id=141653"><i>Control of dust from
construction and demolition activities</i></a>. It also draws heavily on the Institute of Air Quality Management’s
2014 <a href="http://iaqm.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/guidance/iaqm_guidance_report_draft1.4.pdf"><i>Guidance
on the</i> <i>Assessment of Dust from
Demolition and Construction</i></a>. The SPG will influence construction practices in London.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of immediate
concern for developers in London, the GLA is seeking to control emissions from
non-road mobile machinery. Major developments using non-road mobile
plant machinery will have to meet emissions standards as defined in <a href="http://www.unife.org/uploads/Other_Docs_5.pdf">EU Directive 97/68/EC</a>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From 1<sup>st</sup>
September 2015, in Greater London non-road mobile plant within specified power
outputs will be required to meet Stage IIIA of the Directive as a minimum, and Stage
IIIB within the Central Activity Zone or Canary Wharf. This means that most
contractors’ plant will need replacing or to be retrofitted with emissions
abatement equipment which means higher costs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is, at least, some concession for smaller operators; in
outer London, emission standards will only apply to major developments. These
emissions standards will apply to all construction projects, regardless of
whether they started in advance of this date. The GLA recommends that
developers begin immediately to put processes in place to ensure that their
supply chain can meet the standards. It is acknowledged that it may be
currently cost-prohibitive for some plant to meet the standards and the GLA
will publish a list of plant that will, for a time, be exempt from the policy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the 1<sup>st</sup> September 2020, the emissions
standards will apply to all construction sites in London, as well as being more
stringent than the 2015 requirements. Developments in Greater London will need
to achieve Stage IIIB standards, while those in the Central Activity Zone and
Canary Wharf will be required to meet Stage IV as a minimum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition, the SPG highlights the introduction of an
ultra-low emissions zone in Central London in 2020. This will require all
vehicles to be either zero or ultra-low emission and will affect any
construction vehicles accessing sites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Conclusions</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With adequate preparation, these SPGs will be perfectly
manageable for developers and their contractors. They will though mean some
additional cost and effort. Leading
companies in the sectors affected will plan ahead and also take the opportunity
to promote and espouse their developments’ green credentials.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: left;">For more information on Temple's Air Quality services, please contact </span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">Alaric Lester</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: left;"> at alaric.lester@templegroup.co.uk.</span></span></div>
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Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-12364381959210673202014-11-13T05:07:00.003-08:002014-11-13T07:39:59.529-08:00Noise nuisance and its impact on quality of life and health<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Dani
Fiumicelli</b> </span>- <i>Technical Director</i></span></div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWksYzurFcI/VGSvvzV2GdI/AAAAAAAAAXg/2j9WUSnkYBM/s1600/general%2Bhouses%2B-%2Bused%2Bfor%2BDEFRA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWksYzurFcI/VGSvvzV2GdI/AAAAAAAAAXg/2j9WUSnkYBM/s400/general%2Bhouses%2B-%2Bused%2Bfor%2BDEFRA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><u><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is often perceived that the
control of noise nuisance is an issue which sits outside the normal planning
process. However, when considering new
development (either noise generating or sensitive to noise) nuisance needs to
be actively considered particularly as legal precedent means that there is no
legal defence of claiming the noisy land use was there first. Therefore, the potential
to cause noise nuisance by emitting noise or bringing receptors to an existing
noise source are legitimate grounds to refuse planning permission. In turn it follows that it is in the
interests of developers of both noise generating and noise sensitive
development to identify and minimise any risks to their schemes due to noise
nuisance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is general agreement that nuisance
is incapable of an exact quantified definition.
But this flexibility is a key strength for the legislation, as the core
principles of nuisance can be applied to almost any situation. This enables a
single legal concept and simple short legislative measures to apply to a wide
range of situations and to be ready to tackle unforeseen and unforeseeable
problems. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Subjectivity</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The negative side of nuisance is
that there is no clearly defined means of measuring it. It is often said to be
subjective and those accused of nuisance can feel aggrieved that they have no
clearly defined simple benchmark, like a speed limit, that can be used to
avoid being subject to legal action or having permission for a development
withheld. But in fact, whilst nuisance can be assessed qualitatively, it is
an objective standard e.g. it only protects the ordinary reasonable use of land
and those of normal sensitivity; it reflects the nature and character of a
particular locality and minor infractions cannot be a nuisance. In presenting a
nuisance case to a court, defending accusations of nuisance or appraising the
risk that nuisance might arise, there is therefore a role for quantified measurable
evidence. For example, to support the argument that the noise was likely to be
having an effect that the ordinary person would find hard to tolerate; or,
going the other way, to demonstrate that the noise was unlikely to have been
intolerable to an ordinary person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Noise sensitive receptors and
future occupiers</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As well as considering noise
nuisance, planning policy means that developers of noise generating and noise
sensitive development need to consider the impacts of noise from their scheme
on the quality of life and health of existing noise sensitive receptors; and
the impact of existing noise sources on the quality of life and health of
future occupiers of their schemes. The
standard here is different to nuisance; and normally the standards applied for
planning purposes will avoid nuisance. Analogous to nuisance, current noise and
planning policy doesn’t provide any detailed decibel based noise limits;
instead qualitatively defined concepts such as Lowest Observed Adverse Effect
Level and Significant Observed Adverse Effect Level apply. The means the
practitioner has to carefully select and justify the guidelines and noise
limits they use to assess a scheme on case by case basis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Practical advice to resolve noise
nuisance risks</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Temple has a long history of
dealing with noise nuisances including being technical advisers to the
Government on nuisance policy and advising many local authorities and those
accused of being responsible for nuisance in individual cases. Temple also has
a comprehensive track record of advising developers on noise generating and
noise sensitive development in order to secure planning permission or
parliamentary approval of a scheme. This all puts Temple at the forefront when
it comes to the translation of legislation and policy into clear and concise
practical guidance and advice aimed at identifying ad minimising noise risks
to a scheme<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 12.2666673660278px;">.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 12.2666673660278px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For more information on Temple's Acoustics services, please contact <span style="color: orange;">Dani Fiumicelli </span>at dani.fiumicelli@templegroup.co.uk, alternatively contact <span style="color: orange;">Simon Perry</span> at simon.perry@templegroup.co.uk.</b></span></span></div>
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Temple Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07297916257951281320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7184726667731545646.post-21590194026966253492014-11-13T04:51:00.004-08:002014-11-13T08:09:14.774-08:00Transport: the Developer’s Master Key<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>James While</b></span> - <i>Account Director</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NIRoHHxQuoE/VGSpILa5rRI/AAAAAAAAAXA/nhKP6hkxRIE/s1600/development%2B-%2Bhousing%2B-%2Bflats%2B-%2Bhouses%2B-%2Btransactional%2Bservices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NIRoHHxQuoE/VGSpILa5rRI/AAAAAAAAAXA/nhKP6hkxRIE/s400/development%2B-%2Bhousing%2B-%2Bflats%2B-%2Bhouses%2B-%2Btransactional%2Bservices.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently, I
attended a lively debate delivered by Bill Hughes of Legal and General Property
Fund. An astute leader within our industry, Bill was passionate about long-term
investment and long-term return. He was
asked, from the floor; "what, for you, is the absolute key to unlock the latent
potential of any given urban site?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The answer
was warming "It’s all about having a sustainable and effective transport
infrastructure," he opined. "That gives me long term surety of growth and the
ability to maintain and expand the fortunes of the development."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wise words
indeed, but is this a model that works well in the confined spaces of the UK? The method of using private landowners to build
infrastructure at a loss to open up land for development is not a new
phenomenon. In 1912 private landowners in over 10 US cities built inter-urban
rail lines to open up land for development that generated enormous profits,
which easily covered investment and operating costs (Source
UC Berkeley ITS). This is a process that is
heavily used in parts of Asia, but does it work in the UK and can the increase in
land values, due to improved infrastructure, be enough to pay for the cost of
installing and maintaining the infrastructure?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a paradoxical question; indeed the classic chicken
and egg conundrum. However, evidentially, the W12 area of London has shown
increases in property prices in excess of 28% year on year from 2005 - 2014
(source: Hometrack). Energised by the Shepherd’s Bush Transport exchange and catalysed
by the inward investment of Westfield, that enclave of West London life is
arguably THE place to be right now, a classic lesson in speculative transport
investment netting huge development benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And let’s not denude the strategic planning that showed the
foresight to make this work. Duncan Bower, Westfield’s Development Director,
was at pains to point out that anything other than a robust public transport
system would have created road havoc within Shepherd’s Bush and he proudly
points out that 81.3% of all Westfield visitors don’t come by car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, is enough being done to catalyse further
development?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are three key questions we need to consider:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
</div>
<ol>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Should
the government or developers fund infrastructure on a site prior to developing
houses, so that the infrastructure is set up to facilitate the maximum rate of
house building?</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Mayoral CIL and LA CIL goes someway to pay for the cost of infrastructure, but
is it enough - do landowners need to take more responsibility to ensure that the
infrastructure is in place before new properties are built?</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can
a finance model of providing a developer with an in-kind contribution in the
form of a land grant, giving the developer exclusive development rights for the
land above and adjacent to the station it has provided, work in the cities of
the UK?</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can’t answer those questions ourselves, but they are
all key considerations for any developer working within the geographical
confines and financial constraints of the UK’s major cities. The absolute key
is a joined up approach; thinking, planning, infrastructure, development and,
most importantly, common purpose. Only then can we see more of the successes
that Bill Hughes has delivered across the Legal and General Portfolio and the
community impact of Westfield’s sensational vision for West London.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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For more information on Temple's Planning services, please contact <span style="color: orange;">Mark Furlonger</span> at mark.furlonger@templegroup.co.uk, alternatively contact <span style="color: orange;">James While</span> at james.while@templegroup.co.uk</b></span></div>
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