DOWNES CONSTRUCTION COMPANY’s Post

How can we reimagine our communities to foster not just a sense of belonging but also a commitment to sustainability and affordability in housing? 🏡 European Community Land Trust Network is paving the way for a better, more sustainable future in housing across Europe. By championing collective governance and land ownership, they offer a new blueprint for living spaces. From Brussels to Bridport, CLTs are showcasing innovative circular building design and use, establishing themselves as key players in promoting housing needs while protecting the environment. Discover the impact of CLTs across Europe in the video below and learn more from their latest white paper: https://lnkd.in/dsQYYv2A Laura Parker-Tong #sustainablehousing #circularbuildingscoalition #buildcircular

Very nice overview of the potential (environmental) benefits of Community Land Trusts. Watch this video or read the white paper if you are interested! 🏡 #sustainablebuilding #builtenvironment

The European Community Land Trust Network aims to enable and promote Community Land Trusts to leverage their unique structure to become regional drivers in the transition to a circular built environment. 4 characteristics of Community Land Trusts = 4 conditions for circular development. 1️⃣ Permanent owners = long-term stewards of the land As permanent owners and stewards of the land, CLTs take a long-term perspective on decisions related to development and use which naturally results in more circular outcomes. 2️⃣ Collective governance structures In aligning permanent land ownership with collective control and interests, CLTs adopt a commons philosophy: land is owned and stewarded for the common good. 3️⃣ Social foundation created by the collective structures These collective governance structures create a social foundation to enable circular initiatives, like mobility sharing and collective energy solutions. 4️⃣ Organisational capacity and expertise CLT hubs build expertise and connections enabling them to implement circular design and build across different projects in a city. Learn more about CLTs and circularity in our newest research paper 'A social foundation for material impact: Community Land Trusts as drivers of circularity for a just transition', written with And The People as part of the Circular Building Coalition cohort. With thanks to: Laudes Foundation Metabolic World Green Building Council Arup Ellen MacArthur Foundation Circle Economy  WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development Laura Parker-Tong Thieme Hennis Thijs Gieben Gerard Roemers Job Papineau Salm Tom O'Donnell Tom Chance Hannah Emery-Wright Eduard Cabré Romans  Alice Haugh Housing Europe Community Land Trust Brussels Community Land Trust Network Self-Organised Architecture Community Land Trust CLT Gent Van Grond Los - Community Land Trust Leuven South of Scotland Community Housing Stadtbodenstiftung CLT H-Buurt habitatgeSocial.Org Geert De Pauw Sabine Horlitz Hannelore Verstreken Mike Staples London CLT Agnieszka (Aga) Biedalak anne-laure wibrin ICLEI Europe Sorcha Edwards Greg Rosenberg Martin RÖCK

Proposals to deliver a “once in a lifetime” regeneration of Charing Cross have taken a step forward with the submission of a new planning application by CXG Glasgow Limited, a subsidiary of Tracey Investments Limited and owners of the Venlaw building and Elmbank Gardens, in conjunction with the owners of the property at 300 Bath Street. Planning Permission in Principle is being sought for the Charing Cross Gateway regeneration project – a £250 million masterplan that, if progressed, will reimagine the west side of the city centre and deliver a sustainable new community. The plans are split into two phases, the first of which covers proposals for student accommodation to meet growing demand in the city and there is also provision for a healthcare/GP surgery facility. Phase two envisages a mixed-tenure development of residential city living, state of the art office space and a hotel. The removal of the Tay House bridge over the M8 also forms part of the plans which will have a transformational effect, providing the opportunity to create a new gateway into the city centre. Planning Permission in Principle is being sought to cover both sites and follows positive feedback from local stakeholders after a two-stage consultation period which involved the parties showcasing their proposals. Read more ➡️ https://buff.ly/3Tx7htf The Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network is here to support your business - reach out to share your views, concerns and opportunities. #SCCnews #businesssupport #businessnetwork #businessvoice #businessleader Sign up for the Scottish Chambers of Commerce enewsletter at https://buff.ly/3CpsQnu

Our cities are not just places; they are resilient, adaptable, and ever-evolving. Today, we launch the first in our City #Outlook report series, starting with #Edinburgh. We discuss pressure in the #housing sector, green shoots in the #industrial market and opportunities as Edinburgh moves towards #NetZero targets. One thing is clear: leadership and partnership between towns, cities and regions, alongside the public and private sector, have never been more critical. Ready to read more? https://bit.ly/3uaCGaC #UrbanFutures #CityOutlook

Phew! Took a couple of weeks but here's our Simon Wicks's comprehensive report of November's National Planning Conference. All the major debates, comments and themes distilled into one (quite big, but very well organised) article, plus a couple of extras - and more to come! Big takeaway? In an era of unremitting flux, characterised by endless tinkering with the system, shifting investment priorities, digital innovation and looming climate catastrophe, it's more important than ever for planners to invoke the core tenets of good planning and placemaking in their work. Lots to chew over here, with contributions from Victoria Hills MRTPI FICE FRSA MCMI CMgr, Alexandra Notay, Sarah Scannell MRTPI, Clare Jones, Jo Rogers MRTPI, Joanna Averley, Joshua Singh MRTPI 💫, among many, many others. Read it at your leisure. https://lnkd.in/dU28QpXb #npc2023 #nationalplanningconference #townplanning #urbanplanning #placemaking

🚀 Exciting news! I'm thrilled to announce my involvement in "Sustainable Manchester 2030" - a groundbreaking initiative focused on sustainable development in Manchester. Our mission is to explore and implement innovative strategies for a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable city. 🎯 Our objectives include in-depth analysis of Manchester's carbon footprint and resource management, collaboration with local entities for a united front, showcasing cutting-edge technologies for integration, and advocating for eco-friendly urban policies with policymakers. 🌍 Why Manchester? This iconic city represents a microcosm of global urban challenges, offering insights that transcend borders. 📈 Our goal is not just research; it's a manifesto for lasting change, creating a roadmap for sustainable urban development. #sustainability #Manchester2030 #urbanplanning #sustainabledevelopment

It’s great to see that Amersfoort in the Netherlands has been awarded European City of the Year by the Academy of Urbanism in London. So, what is the key to Amersfoort’s success?    1) Focussing on wellbeing 2) Limiting car use 3) Providing good quality affordable housing.   Not rocket science, eh? These are all areas that Stantec can offer significant experience and expertise around. For example, our teams actually provided a heat network strategy for Amersfoort. From an economics and finance perspective – it’s interesting that Amersfoort’s high quality 11,000 home Urban Extension at Vathorst was delivered by a Public/Private Development Company.   They borrowed £650m to forward fund infrastructure which was repaid from the proceeds of land sales and left a significant surplus that was used to fund a new station and community arts centre. Although this seems ambitious it feels like a model that could be applied to many places in the UK…What do you think? https://lnkd.in/gRejF3Af

Great to be part of this discussion about alternative housing models, hosted by Rothelowman. As different models of housing, including mixed tenure, co-living and BTR are being delivered we need to keep sharing the learnings. We should be listening to developers, architects, building managers, asset managers and residents for what is important to get right. There are some valuable principles for the design of housing from the shared economy when trading off size of living spaces for more communal facilities and public amenity, in the right locations, to suit different stages of people’s lives.

❓ Did you know that the number of Building Society branches has risen significantly since 2014, and is expected to continue on an upward trajectory? 🏦 Woodhurst’s Ben Nadel recently spoke at the Leeds Building Society Head Office, where he addressed the crucial role of Branches in community engagement and the transformation of Building Societies into Modern Mutuals. Off the back of this, in our latest blog post we see Ben Nadel and Maud Swanborough delve deeper into the future of branches and the strategies that can be put into place to optimise their community impact, something that the Building Societies Association recently called out as crucial for all Building Societies. 💡 Click on the link below to read our latest blog, where we highlight the need for a considered branch strategy that honours a Building Society’s clear vision, innovative technology, and their member-centric processes. ➡ https://lnkd.in/e_vr5v4i The fact that Building Societies are committed to branches showcases their mutual ethos and purpose-driven approach of wanting to do right by their members. At Woodhurst, we are committed to driving forward innovations that support both the high street and the communities we serve. #BranchStrategy #ModernMutual #BuildingSocieties