Posted on 30/04/21 by Kristen Guida
New Adaptation Pathways Starter Pack Adaptation pathways mark a change from the “science-first” approach to climate risk management. The Environment Agency, in collaboration with LCCP and the Thames Estuary Partnership, have produced an introductory information pack for people working in flood risk management, planning, community flood groups, and others. This starter pack is intended to give people working on adaptation projects a clear basic understanding of the approach. It sets out the basic concepts, principles and key elements, and uses the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan as a case study to demonstrate practical application. The pack consists of two video presentations and a series of factsheets explaining different elements of the approach.
There is also a survey to gather information on how the pack is being used, and to evaluate its usefulness. We encourage users to provide feedback so that materials can be expanded upon and tailored according to need. The survey is here.
Placemaking and Building Resilient Cities Resilience First and the Institution of Civil Engineers bring you a webinar on 20 May exploring how placemaking—a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design, and management of public spaces—can lead to more resilient towns and cities. Speakers include Professor David Alexander of UCL, Peter Baird of Perkins & Will, and Greg Clark of HSBC, and ICE President Rachel Skinner will chair.
2021 Heatwave Planning Following some 2500 excess deaths in the UK during 2020 heatwave periods, the government’s heatwave planning guidance remains unchanged. However, updated evidence, new Beat the Heat resources for the public, and COVID-19 guidance are available to help organisations plan for expected higher-than-normal temperatures this summer. In addition, the Met Office will launch an extreme heat warning system in June to increase the visibility and effectiveness of messages around heat risk.
Survey: What Climate Information Do You Need? As part of the UKRI Climate Resilience Programme, The Met Office has commissioned JBA Consulting to produce recommendations of what climate information is needed to inform risk assessments and climate resilience/adaptation decisions over the next decade. To inform this work, JBA has asked that you complete this short survey regarding your use and views of currently available climate information. By completing it (by 7 May deadline) you can also receive more detail about the project and how you can get involved in further stages. Please forward this survey to any colleagues who may be interested in participating. If you have questions about the survey or the project, contact Rachel.
Buildings & Cities special issue: Urban Densification The papers in this issue explore how densification can be defined, monitored, and controlled to create positive outcomes and avoid negative unintended consequences. One interesting paper reviews the evidence base for planners and policy makers, showing that despite much evidence on the positive impacts for transport, there is very little evidence on social and environmental impacts. Another describes different ways to measure and discuss density, differentiating between types of physical density and occupancy density and explaining how to use these factors in planning. And as a bonus, B&C has also just published a briefing note/summary for practitioners on urban microclimate. (Hat tip: Richard)
Thames Vision Refresh The original Thames Vision, a framework for the development of the tidal Thames setting out the collective ambition for the river over 20 years, was launched in 2016. The Port of London Authority is now starting work to refresh the Vision, to extend its timeframe to 2050 and to reflect progress and changes, including the legally binding Net Zero commitment, COVID-19, and Brexit. New research will include a port trade forecast to 2050. More detail and context of the Thames Vision Refresh will be revealed in the Stakeholder Forum (register at the link) on 11 May. A consultation on the future of the Thames will launch at the end of May – watch this space.
Job Opportunity Julie’s Bicycle is seeking an Arts Council England Environmental Programme Lead to manage the planning and delivery of Julie’s Bicycle’s partnership with the Arts Council. The post-holder will work alongside the Director and Managing Director of Julie’s Bicycle on the strategic planning of the programme. They will manage a small team and all activities within the programme as well as deliver key elements. Find out more and apply here. Deadline 9 May.
Job Opportunity The GLA is seeking a new Assistant Director for Energy and Environment. Details here.
The Future of Materials: self-healing polymers and glass On 5 May, the EPSRC-funded consortium Manufacturing Immortality will present a webinar showcasing the various self-healing polymers and glasses they have developed, and the opportunities that these might offer to the construction industry to provide structural and aesthetic resilience for infrastructure.
Art-Science Collaboration to Inspire and Mobilize Relational Space brings scientists and artists together to collaborate around powerful data-driven narratives for knowledge exchange, new knowledge creation, and to create immersive installations that can inspire and mobilize our global community. A new exhibit entitled “Long COVID – We Are Here!” is an immersive and informative exhibition featuring new media formats to explore long COVID’s debilitating effects on people’s health and parallels with our society as a whole. 29 April – 30 May. Find out more here.