Department of Transport releases report on learning lessons in infrastructure
Our City Hall London forum in June will be discussing the important infrastructure developments in the UK that will allow our cities to thrive in the future. The Permanent Secretary, Department of Transport, Bernadette Kelly, has just released in the last couple of days, a report jointly with the Infrastructure Projects Authority, identifying 24 practical, best-practice lessons, with regard to infrastructure delivery. They are across five key themes - accountability, behaviou
Royal College of Art expansion in Battersea cultural quarter
Royal College of Art Vice Chancellor Dr Paul Thompson talks (in the video above) about how Herzog & de Meuron's new design for the Battersea campus will both connect to the community and businesses, and act as an anchor for an emerging innovation district. Vice Chancellor of the Royal College of Art, Dr Paul Thompson joined a discussion panel this month on creating and sustaining urban cultural hubs at our forum at Goldsmiths' Hall in the City of London. The RCA has hired the
Repowering onshore wind farms for city consumption
As we near our large infrastructure and energy forum this June at City Hall, London, we are reporting on the current government moves towards energy transformation. This post highlights a new report on wind turbines and the prospect of a new electricity plant on Teesside. RenewableUK is warning that new onshore wind turbines are needed to replace older wind farms if the UK is to secure enough low-cost power capacity to meet carbon targets. In a new report, it describes how m
Planning housing innovation with WYG, Matter Architecture and Hertfordshire University
Above: Dean Court Almshouses walkway (Matter Architecture for Pathways Housing Trust) Community consultation, Dutch innovation and electric bikes featured in a lively discussion at our March forum on new ideas for housing the elderly, multi-generational living and retro-fitting suburbia. This panel involved debate between planning consultancy WYG, Hertfordshire University and Matter Architecture. Architect Lucy Block gave a vivid picture of how the traditional almshouse could
Digital technology drives energy pricing
We will be looking at the effect of digital technologies on energy models and pricing for businesses and homes at our City Hall, London forum in June. EY says that energy companies need to work out what drives their customers, build business models to match, but be flexible enough to adapt to their evolving expectations. Energy companies, EY's Benoit Laclau says, are used to charging customers to recover the costs of building, owning and operating assets that generate and del
Westminster's street markets adapt to survive
Council chiefs have been talking with traders and residents in Westminster about how street markets can continue to thrive in the future. More than 900 people have been giving their feedback on what they want to see happen over the coming months and years to reverse the long-term decline of their local markets. Among suggestions were a growing of diversity of stallholders and stalls, introduction of cashless payments and special events to take place. Councillor David Harvey r
Regenerating 'people's palaces'
Queen Elizabeth Hall foyer (above) restored and re-designed by FCBStudios We were delighted that both Elaine Bedell, Chief Executive of the Southbank Centre and Ian Taylor, Managing Partner of FCBStudios spoke at our April Future Cities Forum about the £30 million regeneration of the structures of London's people's palace by the river Thames. Elaine who is currently enacting her vision for the Southbank Centre spoke about respecting the spirit and principles of the Festival
Mayor of London spends from Land Fund for new housing
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has used £12.8 million from his Land Fund to purchase a 1.4 hectare site at the North Middlesex University Hospital (NMUH) in Edmonton. The site currently comprises of a car park, offices, and hospital testing facilities - the latter will be relocated to other parts of the hospital ensuring no loss of services to patients. The Mayor expects the site to deliver at least 200 homes, with 50% of those being social rented or other genuinely affor
The role of women's football sponsorship in city regeneration
Stadium-led regeneration is becoming an increasingly important part of economic and social enhancement for city districts and is giving a broader understanding of balanced mixed-use development. Additionally, as cities' populations grow, there are increasing concerns over the provision of good-quality sporting and recreational facilities. We have discussed this area of regeneration at our previous forums with QPR and Bath Rugby and Everton FC, showcasing their important inne
Climate change, Shell and EV charging
As news from the BBC comes in of 200 climate change activists, part of 'Extinction Rebellion' being arrested for blocking roads in central London, five of who were reported by the BBC as being held on suspicion of criminal damage at Shell's HQ, we look at plans by the company to combat damage to the climate from its products. In reaction to the protests, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy said the UK had cuts its emissions by 44% since 1990, stating 'we