martin brown
Improvement advocate in the built environment with a passion for social media, wildness, music, mountains, walking, cycling, astronomy, geostuff, outdoor, inspirations, dark skies, connectivity, edge of chaos, improvement, natural environment, CSR, built environment, virtual worlds, resilience, community enterprise ... and more
Category Archives: politics
Government Construction Strategy – have we been here before?
The Government have recently published its Construction Strategy, aiming to address … widespread acknowledgement across Government and within industry – backed by recent studies – that the UK does not get full value from public sector construction; and that it has failed to exploit the … Continue reading
a transition view of the uk transition housing plan
A welcomed and important perspective on the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan was posted by Rob Hopkins on the Transition blog: After many months of Ed Milliband putting himself out there are a Secretary of State for Energy and Climate … Continue reading
Posted in built environment, carbon, comment, construction, energy, housing, politics, refurbishment, resilience, sustainability, technology, transport
Tagged transition towns, zero, zero carbon
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sustainable resources and publications update
Items of interest to built environment + natural environment + sustainable communities filtered from the Sustainability Development Research Network (SDRN) update Engaging Places A new initiative has been launched by CABE and English Heritage to help every school exploit the … Continue reading
Reducing the environmental impact of existing non-domestic buildings
Addressing the existing uk building stock and in particular non domestic stock is mush talked about – but unlike housing not too much action as yet. The All Party Urban Development Group is undertaking its latest inquiry, exploring ways to … Continue reading
Modern online communities are the new co-operatives.
The recent speech by Tom Watson MP, Minister for Transformational Governance, Power of Information, can be found here and is a fascinating overview and history of information management – well worth a read.
Posted in IT, knowledge, politics, technology, web2.0
Tagged Information, Knowldege, Transformational Government, web2.0
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Eco town locations revealed – but is it all another greenwash?
The government has released today the short list for Eco Towns, and they are: Bordon, Hampshire Coltishall, Norfolk Curborough, Staffordshire Elsenham, Essex Ford, West Sussex Hanley Grange, Cambridgeshire Imerys, Cornwall Leeds city region, West Yorkshire Manby, Lincolnshire Marston Vale and … Continue reading
Twitter News: PM helps housebuilders go green
From the 10 Downing Street Twitter feed earlier today: DowningStreet No10 news: PM helps householders go green: The Prime Minister has said that fighting clim.. http://tinyurl.com/yugre7 and Green Neighbourhoods initiative will give a “green makeover” to up to 100 neighbourhoods … Continue reading
Posted in housing, links, News, politics
Tagged green neighbourhoods, homes, Twitter
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FMB Building a Greener Britain
In a week when Ken Livingston and joined forces with Sian Berry (Green Party) against Boris Johnson, in their pursuit for the next London Mayor, warning of his negative and regressive green views and plans, the FMB (Federation of Master … Continue reading
Posted in built environment, comment, housing, News, politics
Tagged Boris Johnson, built environment, David Cameron, FMB, Green Party, housing, Ken Livingston, London Mayor, low carbon, Nick Clegg, Sian Berry
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coal – a great green scam?
Continuing the coal theme (seam?) … for an astute insight to the coal issue in the UK read George Monbiot’s article Burnt Out, on his blog and published in todays Guardian.
Towards low carbon construction IGT Report: Government Response
Snippets from todays launch of the Governments Response to the industry’s Innovation Growth Team Report: Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “An efficient, effective and profitable construction industry is at the heart of any growing economy. “Meeting the UK’s commitment to … Continue reading →