Buildings & Cities’ Post

We're set to take forward in partnership local community-led projects aimed at revitalising homes and improving rural transport links in Perth and Kinross, following a recent successful bid for Innovate UK Pathfinder Places funding.    The £150,000 funding comes after the positive outcomes of the Phase 1 Pathfinder Places project in mid-2023 which we delivered together with Nicki Souter Associates, The University of Edinburgh and The HEAT Project (part of Blairgowrie & Rattray Development Trust). The proposed projects that will be supported by the £150K were voted on by local residents and businesses: Revitalising Homes will look at creating a sustainable, one-stop-shop retrofit project for housing throughout the Council area, with the majority of work centred on developing schemes that will be available for use by homeowners and private and social housing landlords alike.    Connecting Regional Travel will explore the viability of two new services focusing on the rural town of Aberfeldy: one looking at an express bus route to Perth, and the other concentrating on a minibus service connecting surrounding villages with Aberfeldy. Recent community engagement carried out by Rural Transport Futures will be taken into consideration, and the project will be carried out in consultation with the Upper Tay Transport Group.     In addition, the project will also investigate the capacity to synchronise bus timetables with key destinations such as healthcare services and train stations, provision of express bus services and other transport options including reduced-cost fare options to promote demand and encourage people to choose other options for their daily commute, in an effort to reduce the number of vehicles on local roads.     Project updates as Phase 2 progresses will be available from the PK Climate Action website at https://lnkd.in/e65yBd6Q 

Bringing people back to the city starts with improving its buildings and, more specifically, making them as sustainable as possible. Read more: https://hubs.li/Q02YcXFV0 Post written by Mahesh Ramanujam, Forbes Councils Member.

While the conversations are more often about what the city and the council are not achieving- it is only fair to acknowledge what we are. Here are a few more things to add to the list in the article - Whakamaru - the city's new transformational centre was opened - the community have led clean-ups in Newtown and the City - The bus and Bike Improvements for the Southern Route are nearly complete, and they have already had a 62% increase in use - The upgrades for Berhampore and Island Bay Town centres have been completed and look great - The city's transport emissions have reduced slightly, and councils' emissions have reduced by 44% - We corrected the name Hōniana Te Puni Street from Epuni St. -We opened our first Resource Recovery centre in the city centre, Te Aro Zero Waste, in partnership with the Sustainability Trust. -Supported, FillGood l Reusable Serviceware our city's first re-use system for events -Tangle Wood House - Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne’s new home for everyone working and volunteering on this mighty 500-year vision was opened -Our city gained International recognition in the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize for the citizen-led work to bring nature back to our city. -Our city hosted the biggest ever Hīkoi in partnership with our mana whenua - We’ve seen Kiwi return to our hills after 150 years thanks to Capital Kiwi - We’re leaning into boosting the tech and film to help them be the largest employing sectors in the city - We’ve helped Meow Nui open, an excellent new Mid-sized venue to attract more awesome live gigs - The results from the Council's September 2024 Climate Action Monitor survey showed that 87% of respondents felt they understood the impacts of climate change, while 82% expressed a strong desire for increased efforts to prioritise emissions reductions. - We’ve got incredible new artwork across the city, including the beautiful new mural at Ākau Tangi. - We’ve got a new vision statement - Pōneke, the creative capital- where people and nature thrive. So many thanks to amazing Wellingtonians who have gone above and beyond to make these amazing things happen for our city.

S106/CIL seems to hold about as much meaning and value to the typical psyche as "public art". I'd like to see more on/off site contributions invested in value-adding initiatives - it's easy to find ways of spending money on stuff you *need*, but I believe if you're clever about it, you can also afford to use the exact same money on things you need, AND really *want* (ie. more social justice, less "hideous" sculptures) #socialinfrastructure #smartmoney #investment #impact #legacy #communitywealthbuilding

Social Infrastructure ++ [city improvements] Social infrastructure refers to the built environment and amenities that facilitate social interactions, cultural activities, and community engagement, while also serving practical, utilitarian purposes. This type of infrastructure goes beyond mere functionality; it enhances the quality of urban life by fostering a sense of community and providing spaces where people can connect, relax, and enjoy their surroundings. One prime example of social infrastructure is a city canal. While its primary role is often related to water management—such as flood control, drainage, or irrigation—it can also be designed to serve multiple social and recreational purposes. Social infrastructure embodies the idea that urban design can integrate utilitarian needs with enriching experiences. By thoughtfully designing spaces like city canals to serve both functional and social purposes, cities can enhance their livability, foster community connections, and create vibrant public realms that resonate with all residents.

Is de-carbonising our cities just about the best technology and funding. Absolutely not. People matter. If we don't get local communities on board, then at best our projects get delayed and at worst abandoned. Much of what I read on making our sustainable cities is about either the right technology (insulation, heat pumps, building materials, demolition vs refurbishment etc) or the financial implications. But much less is written on the social factors that help get these projects off the ground faster (or even at all). As a finance person I have seen numerous 'good' projects that have either taken way too long to get built, or that never happened at all. And this was not because they were bad projects. It was about social licence. We have talked a fair bit about social licence before in the context of mining and heavy industry. But the same issues also apply in different ways to cities and buildings. And this is why a recent report entitled Advancing Just Transitions in the Built Environment from the Institute of Human Rights and Business caught our eye. They make the point that "while some decarbonisation initiatives are reducing inequalities, others are leaving communities behind, generating greenlash - pushback to green initiatives - which costs valuable time, and money, and hinders the transition." And rather than talking about this in the abstract, they used a lot of city case studies. I picked Melbourne from the examples in the report, as it's a city I know well. While Australia is an affluent country, its cities share some common ground with other middle income cities. Housing is in short supply, it's often unaffordable, and it's generally not very energy or resource efficient. The residential sector is responsible for 30% of CO2 emissions in the State of Victoria (Melbourne is the state capital). Outside the city centre, 46.5% of residents have to drive to work. What were some of their practical recommendations (there is a longer list in the report). The first will be familiar - refurbishing for energy efficiency. Why is this a challenge? It's simple - cost and disruption. One solution that the report highlights is the Retain, Repair, Reinvest (RRR) Framework. Put simply it's about keeping communities in their neighbourhoods (Retain), refurbish existing buildings rather than demolish and rebuild (Repair), and then put the savings made back into improving comfort and upgrading public housing (Reinvest). And then there is re-skilling and re-training. Good well paid jobs for the local community. These projects are going to need a lot more construction workers, so lets tap into new groups for this. Lets start with the easy one, getting women into the industry. And they propose lots of practical actions. You can read the full blog for free at The Sustainable Investor (just follow the links in my profile). #sustainablefinance #strategy #cities

Bring new life to old communities, without driving residents away. In this article, Fady Halim, Ramy Sfeir, Sami Zaki and Rasha Salem explain how to incorporate citizen and community feedback in urban regeneration projects. Learn how to link #UrbanRenewal projects to mutually beneficial social sustainability goals: https://lnkd.in/dehEf3Di

🌱🏡 Shaping Future Cities: could this Cooperative Housing model hold the key to tackling the housing crisis in major European cities with a sustainable and community-driven approach? This model in Amsterdam could inspire cities worldwide to rethink housing solutions and urban resilience. Nicolaie Moldovan, EMBA tells you all about it in today's blog for Europe of Cities 👇 #UrbanDevelopment #Sustainability #HousingCrisis 

As Europe grapples with the dual challenge of providing adequate housing for all while reducing resource use, a recent study highlights a path forward: voluntary reductions in living space. Research from the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) suggests that downsizing living spaces could significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from heating, and contribute to environmental goals. However, the study reveals that many Europeans are reluctant to downsize, citing concerns over privacy, personal freedom, and the status associated with homeownership. Interestingly, the willingness to embrace smaller spaces varies across countries, with Spain showing the highest openness (42%) and Hungary the lowest (15%). Despite these challenges, the study found that Europeans could be more willing to live in smaller spaces if they are located in green, centrally-located, and safe neighborhoods with access to services and communal amenities. The takeaway? For the EU to succeed in promoting smaller living spaces, it must not only encourage the construction of smaller apartments but also foster environments that enhance quality of life through community and inclusion. Legislative support, economic incentives, and innovative housing solutions will be key. #SustainableLiving #HousingPolicy #GreenLiving #UrbanDevelopment #ClimateAction #Sustainability #CommunityLiving #SmartCities #ResourceEfficiency #EnvironmentalImpact #UrbanPlanning

Exploring impactful ideas on sustainability and community development! ?!!? Looking to create sustainable communities? Check out this insightful article on innovative ways to integrate human aspirations with ecological sustainability. It highlights the importance of building Eco-Habitats and provides practical insights on how to achieve this goal. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/giiV7Pwm #Sustainability #CommunityDevelopment #EcoHabitats