PUBLIC BUILDINGS WILL NEED ENERGY RATINGS

Town halls, museums, galleries and other public buildings will have to have energy ratings, just like those on fridges and other appliances, and to display them to the public from next April. The idea is that visitors will be able to see the annual carbon emissions from each building as a way of encouraging energy improvements, reducing costs and ensuring public bodies lead the way in cutting carbon emissions.

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NEW DESIGN GUIDANCE SET TO TRANSFORM RESIDENTAIL STREETS

New guidelines on street design have been published and should make residential roads safer in future with slower traffic, and less clutter. The new ‘ Manual for Streets’ marks a reversal in the thinking behind ‘Design Bulletin 32’, which was first published in 1977, and now CABE, the Government’s advisory body on architecture, urban design and public space, expects to see a transformation in the quality of new and existing streets.

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By Haki Kapasi Negative undesigned outcomes are the hazard feared by policy makers and innovators. Those involved in developing a neighbourhood play toolkit to allow children to play without a threat from traffic or harm by strangers did not expect any wider community impact. The author describes how the pilot projects increased social capital by building networks within the community and expanding partnerships.