02.09.2004
The 21st century challenge for designers, planners and construction professionals is to create a built environment that meets the needs of this generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Such development calls for effective collaboration and co-operation between regional and national organisations and across a broad range of professional disciplines.
The Sustainability in the Built Environment conference, to be held at the University of Brighton on 13-15 September, aims to stimulate such co-operation and to provide information on sustainability and best practice. The event will attract regional and national experts, local businesses, environmental organisations, local government representatives, research groups, students and members of the general public with an interest in sustainability.
The conference is the first to be organised by the EU-funded Durabuild project; a second conference will be held in Rouen in May 2005. Durabuild was set up to develop a network and database of sustainable built environment resources and expertise in the Euro-region comprising East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Kent, and Medway in the UK and Seine-Maritime, Somme, and Nord Pas-de-Calais in France.
The project will be delivered through the web-based Centre for Sustainability of the Built Environment which has been developed by the Universities of Brighton and Rouen. The Centre has facilities to monitor and model building performance, providing further support for the professional community.
Professor Andrew Miller and principal lecturer Kenneth Ip from the University of Brighton's School of the Environment are the UK grant holders for Durabuild.
Professor Andrew Miller said: "This conference will provide an opportunity to hear about current activities towards sustainability in the built environment in our Euro-region. It aims to encourage those actively involved, through design, planning, construction, manufacture of products, and education, to develop the network to mutual benefit."
The conference features presentations from French and UK experts and will be conducted in both English and French. The opening day focuses on national, regional and local perspectives, day two examines best-practice case studies on energy, materials and health, while the final day features a site visit.
Contact:
Pat Herbert, University of Brighton, Marketing & Communications
phone 01273 643226
The project involves a partnership between the University of Brighton, East Sussex, and the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the University of Rouen, Seine-Maritime, and CIBSE's French equivalent the AICVF. The University of Amiens is also part of the academic team. Major contributors to the project are the key local authorities of the area, including Brighton and Hove and Hastings.
The project aims to:
- Encourage and facilitate sustainability across the region, illustrating the integration of good design and sustainable construction
- Increase resource efficiency and energy conservation through the identification and promotion of regional resources, materials, products and services
- Address the need for clear, accessible and practical information relating to sustainable construction.
- Increase information sharing and co-operation between professional disciplines
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
