POCACITO - UK

Whitehill & Bordon regeneration project

clf — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 08:01:58 +0000

The regeneration of Whitehill & Bordon is meant to transform the area into a low carbon, green and sustainable city. The town is expected to grow from 6,000 homes to over 9,000 when fully built, and new jobs and a new city centre will be created. Inclusion processes have been used to develop a master plan for the area, including projects for renewable and efficient energy supply, transport solutions, nature conservation and new business and work opportunities.

Manchester: A Certain Future

clf — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 13:58:08 +0000

The pioneering shared plan to tackle climate change “Manchester: a Certain Future (MACF)” is an integrated plan that defines the main actions by which Manchester will tackle climate change until 2020. Initially launched in 2009 and updated in 2013, the four key points of MACF are:

Reduce the city’s carbon emissions by 41% by 2020 based on 2005 levels;
Develop a Low Carbon Culture Change so that ‘low carbon thinking’ is embedded into the lifestyles and operations of the city;
Prepare for and actively adapt to a rapidly changing climate; and
Develop an active transition to a low carbon economy.

The 2013 MACF documents the progress achieved since 2009, and ensures the consistency of its key aims with the “Greater Manchester Climate Change Strategy” published in 2011.

The MACF will be revised in 2016 through the “MACF 2016-20 Plan” which will include an active stakeholder engagement process for climate adaptation in Manchester until 2050, and ensure the continuity of the transformative action to shape a low carbon future.

Sustainable living and green community

clf — Tue, 17 May 2016 14:18:44 +0000

The BedZED (Beddington Zero Energy Development) is the UK's first and largest carbon-neutral eco-community and is located in Sutton, a residential town 40 minutes southwest of London. It is the UK’s first large-scale, mixed use sustainable community with homes, office space, a college and community facilities. The BedZED design concept was driven by the desire to create a net-zero fossil energy development, one that will produce at least as much energy from renewable sources as it consumes. Only energy from renewable sources is used to meet the energy needs of BedZED; it is therefore a carbon neutral development, resulting in no-net addition of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. BedZED is designed to minimise its ecological impact, both in construction and operation processes and to help residents consume only their fair share of the earth’s resources. It exemplifies an innovative, zero-energy and sustainable housing approach on a multi-unit scale. It represents an inspiration for sustainable neighbourhood and low-carbon housing development in future urban contexts.

Bristol's local currency

clf — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:44:28 +0000

The city of Bristol, known as one of the most sustainable European cities, has implemented an alternative currency system designed to support Bristol’s local economy and reduce environmental footprints of long supply chains. The Bristol Pound was launched in 2012 as a joint non-profit enterprise between Bristol Pound Community Interest Company and the bank Bristol Credit Union. The Bristol Pound is a voluntary system based on the citizen's commitment to support the value of living in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable city. It is the UK’s first citywide local currency, the first to have electronic accounts managed by a regulated financial institution and the first that can be used to pay local taxes. At this moment (2015) it is considered the world's most successful local currency with the equivalent of around 700,000 £B in circulation and 800 local businesses involved.

Code for Sustainable Homes in Essex

clf — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 13:04:16 +0000

The Code for Sustainable Homes plays a key role in building a future housing stock which both meets citizens’ needs and protects the environment. It represents the basis for future developments of the Building Regulations in UK in relation to carbon emissions and energy use in homes. The Code is the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes. It is intended to help promote higher standards of sustainable design above current building regulations. A specific case of its application is the development of fourteen homes in Wimbish, near Saffron Walden (Essex), in south-east England: the project is certified by the PassivHaus Standard, as well as the UK Code for Sustainable Homes. It represents a pioneering development of social housing through the application of the PassivHaus scheme. The project represents also good practice example for achieving sustainability and energy efficiency in the peripheral urban areas. The requirements were met using a “fabric first” approach, combined with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.