October 2003

From Engineering and Physical Science Research Council

Laying the foundations for greener living

Launch of £22.5m initiative

A major investment that will pave the way for greener, safer urban living in the UK is launched on October 15, 2003. "Towards a sustainable urban environment" (SUE) will support research that will shape the future development of our towns and cities.

Themes will include:

  • Designing living areas less susceptible to crime
  • Developing more appealing and efficient public transport systems
  • Managing waste and pollution
  • Making existing buildings more environmentally friendly

The initiative is being launched by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

It will involve researchers from many different areas including the physical, environmental and social sciences, engineering, economics, physical geography and town planning.

The welcome address will be given by Minister for Housing and Planning, Keith Hill. The Chief Executive of EPSRC, Professor John O'Reilly, said "Laying the foundations for greener, safer urban living is about much more than just bricks and mortar, every aspect of our daily lives needs to be taken into consideration. This initiative is recognition of that, bringing together leading researchers in all areas involved in building a sustainable future."

Keith Hill, regeneration minister, said: "In order to create vibrant, sustainable communities we need to identify what people want from the places where they live and work. Sustainable communities are about more than just houses.

They're about jobs, schools and public spaces - improving quality of life for our citizens. And that's why this research into the future of our sustainable urban environment is so important. I am pleased to see the EPSRC investing in this project".

Launch event Agenda:
'Towards a Sustainable Urban Environment'
15th October 2003
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, 12 Great George Street, Parliament Square, London, SW1P 3AD

09:00 Registration

09:30 – 10:15 Press Briefing Edinburgh Room With: Dr Peter Hedges (EPSRC) Professor Rachel Cooper (University of Salford) Professor David Butler (Imperial College) Professor Stephan Jefferis (University of Surrey)

10:20 Welcome Stephen Brown/Matthew Prescott, RICS Foundation

10:25 Chairman's Introduction Dr Peter Hedges (EPSRC) Lecture Hall, 1st Floor

10:30 Keynote Address The Rt Hon Keith Hill MP

10:45 'Towards a sustainable urban environment' – EPSRC's rationale Dr Peter Hedges, Programme Manager for Infrastructure and Environment, EPSRC Consortia Presentations

11:00 VivaCity: Urban Sustainability for the 24-hour City Professor Rachel Cooper, University of Salford

11:05 The Sustainable Urban Form Consortium (SUFC) Professor Mike Jenks, Oxford Brookes University

11:10 Innovation in Design, Construction and Operation of Buildings for People Dr AS Bahaj, University of Southampton

11:15 Water Cycle Management for New Developments: WAND Professor David Butler, Imperial College

11:20 Sustainable Urban Brownfields: Integrated Management (SUBR:IM) Dr Mike Brown, University of Sheffield

11:25 Waste Resource Management in Urban Environments Professor William Powrie, University of Southampton

11:30 Q&A

11:55 Chairman's closing

12:00 Introduction to Consortia Workshops

12:15 Lunch/Poster Session Members Club Room

13:30 Consortia Workshops Lecture Hall, Lancaster room, Gloucester room, Edinburgh room.

15:30 Close/Refreshments

If you'd like to attend the press briefing and / or the full launch event please register your details below and reply to this e-mail. Places are limited and will be reserved on a first to reply basis.

1. Name:
2. Organisation / Publication:
3. Telephone number:
4. Please state here whether you would like to attend both the press briefing and the launch event ( if you only wish to attend one please say which):

Directions to the venue:
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is at 12 Great George Street, Parliament Square, London, SW1P 3AD. A map can be found at http://www.rics.org/about_us/contacts/ggs_map.html.



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