This year’s Futurebuild conference has been looking forwards to ensure lessons are learned, so that changing and taking action become second nature. We are ready to take a stand for a better built and natural environment and take the action that is needed in the critically short window of time that we have to take it. the Edge considers that successfully overcoming the existential threats of climate change and biodiversity loss is feasible, but only if two conditions are met – first that there has to be a clear focus and overriding combined commitment by government, industry and society to address the major challenges that face us all and, second, that the necessary changes are carried through with the utmost urgency.
FUTUREBUILD PROPOSITION NO 10: We need a national economic plan for transforming our built and natural environments.
Chair: Ben Westerman, Head of Policy, Aldersgate Group
Introduction to the proposals:
Simon Foxell, The Edge and Principal, The Architects’ Practice
An economy for the environment
Antonia Jennings, Associate Director, Centre for Local Economic Strategies
Planning for Society
Sophie Beagles, Principal Regeneration Officer, Ealing Council and Learning Facilitator, Public Practice
Using our Land
Martin Baxter, Director of Policy and External Affairs, IEMA
Essential Infrastructure
Pete Winslow, Director, Expedition
Climate Skills and understanding
Professor Elena Marco, Pro Vice-chancellor and Head of College of Arts, Technology and Environment at the University, West of England (UWE)
Measuring, declaring and eradicating carbon
Fabrizio Varriale, Space and Place Analyst, RICS
Creating a resilient built and natural environment
Dr Martina Girvan, Green Construction Board (Biodiversity Working Group) and Senior Technical Director- Ecology, Arcadis
Design and construction performance and building passports
Marianne Heaslip, Technical Lead, People Powered Retrofit
