East Midlands Airport grows freight operations despite Covid-19
While airports in the country have seen air traffic movements reduced by over 90%, East Midlands (EMA) has continued operating around 60% of all scheduled flights elevating it to one of Europe's top 10 busiest airports. This is because of its global express freight operation which is playing an important role in keeping trade moving and facilitating the supply of vital PPE equipment in the fight against Covid-19, as well as more people ordering goods online when shops have sh
Regency-era canal infrastructure provides setting for new affordable housing in London
Harrow Road housing development by Child Graddon Lewis - by Regent's Canal London Westminster City Council has given planning permission for new affordable housing to be built at 300 Harrow Road next to London's famous Regent's Canal. Built in 1812, the canal was designed as part of a master plan for the Prince Regent by architect John Nash to redevelop a large area of central North London. One hundred new homes with a community space and canal-side greenery are to be built w
Concerns post Covid-19 on museum opening
Lady Hare (by Sophie Ryder) - positioned in Berkeley Square, City of Westminster With museum finances hit hard by Covid-19, decisions over opening cultural institutions are proving complex. The Prime Minister announced on Tuesday that museums could now open their doors but although a statement from leading galleries such as the V&A and Tate welcomed the news, individually they were not committing to particular dates for admitting visitors. Staffing, social distancing measures
Cardiff's active travel plan to aid recovery post pandemic
Planning for active and 'distanced' travel in Cardiff city centre (Arup) The Leader of Cardiff City Council, Cllr Huw Thomas has been talking to Future Cities Forum about the challenge of opening up Cardiff for jobs, retail and tourism post Covid-19 and developing the public realm in the city to create healthier lifestyles. Huw said it is all a matter of creating confidence in those who will return to work in the city and those who want to visit: 'Cardiff has 45,000 jobs acro
Walthamstow's art deco theatre signals cultural recovery plan post Covid-19
Walthamstow's famous EMD/Granada cinema is to be restored with £25 million of investment and is being seen as a vital step in economic recovery and resilience. The plans for the venue which has staged artists such as The Beatles, Duke Ellington and the Rolling Stones, include a 950 seat theatre, bar and restaurant, community space and garden terrace. the refurbishment will begin immediately and is expected to complete in Spring 2022, with help from architects Pilbrow & Partne
Health R&D to expand in West Midlands linked to HS2
CGI of HS2 People Mover over Pendigo Lake (connecting HS2 Interchange Station to Birmingham International Airport and the NEC) The West Midlands Combined Authority is hoping to capitalise on future connections with the new HS2 route in its planning post Covid-19 and beyond. One idea is to create a new state-of-the-art health hub, only forty minutes from London and placed centrally at the HS2 Interchange station. The Leader of Solihull Council and Portfolio Holder for Environ
Green recovery plan for West Midlands
An ambitious plan to help the West Midlands region recover from the economic impact of Covid-19 while making it a greener and healthier place to live and work has been given the go-ahead. Future Cities Forum is looking forward to talking to Cllr Ian Courts, WMCA portfolio lead for environment and Leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council this week about the plans to tackle climate change and what shape 'prosperity' in the region will take. The plan for a green recovery
Will the UK's cultural infrastructure grow post Covid-19?
Durham History Centre - proposed entrance (Ryder Architecture) A planning application has been submitted for a new history centre in Durham designed by Ryder Architecture which would bring together archive, heritage and registration services for the county. If approved the centre will tell the story of the county's history and heritage through historic records, photographs and objects and will also host exhibitions, activities and events and provide a countywide outreach prog
University real estate investment post Covid-19
The Class of 2020 return to the University of Virginia Jefferson Rotunda - which will re-open for classes in September (Photo by Dan Addison / University Communications) Data collection has been at the heart of the fight against Covid-19 and Future Cities Forum will be discussing the value of data systems, their use and application at our autumn 'Science Cities' forum. We will also be discussing the expanding investment in university science and R&D buildings,while publishing
New infrastructure for Cambridge could mean tunnelling under medieval city
New bridge works for cycling / walking Chisholm Trail 'corridor' running north-south across Cambridge Running our 'Science Cities' forum last autumn opened up questions around the complex issues of transport in Cambridge with connections to science parks and new settlements across the region. The city is growing rapidly due to the success of its university research and biomedical laboratories, which is putting pressure on housing provision through global talent relocation. A