Many neglected and abandoned industrial landscapes are being returned to commercial use. They include Britain’s former coalfields where identifying and systematically removing risks linked to unstable spoil tips, toxic waste, mine gas, contaminated ground water, and surface subsidence is releasing valuable commercial land. The UK’s five...
When coal was king, enormous spoil heaps scarred Britain’s landscapes from Kent and Wales to the Midlands, Durham and Scotland. Most have been hauled away and reused. Remediation to remove any latent risks standing in the way of regenerating valuable land is often the next...
It might seem odd at a time when politicians and governments are betting their careers and parliamentary majorities on growth to start thinking about the exact opposite – ‘degrowth’. Surely, an expanding economy is always good … isn’t it? Not necessarily, say degrowth advocates (degrowthers) who...
The final rite most of us perhaps expect from life is a small plot of land where our mortal remains or ashes can lie in peace. Sadly, this is now not always available. Graves are becoming a luxury in short supply. As a result, the...
I’m always in favour of better, easier, and more efficient and productive ways of doing things. Which is why I think it is extremely important for us to recognise that emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies will almost inevitably become some of our best environmental friends...
Can we afford to relax? Despite numerous crises, many UK holiday-makers have enjoyed their first proper breaks in three years. A growing number, however, are opting to try green sustainable vacations safe within Britain’s international borders … staycations. This raises three questions. The first is can...
On days when the mercury rises dramatically there is no shortage of advice - or ‘hot’ tips - to keep us cool. But that is only part of a more complex picture. In the long-term, how we design future towns, cities, and communities, and modify...
For an Atlantic-facing island with an international reputation for grey skies, frequent showers and soaking rain, the UK must come to terms with the surprising challenge of managing its wet stuff very carefully over the next few decades … or risk running out of guaranteed...
There are important long and short-term reasons for taking early steps to protect exposed properties from rising sea levels, river flooding, saturated ground, damaged culverts, and other local surface and sub-surface flood vulnerability problems. Location and circumstances are clearly crucial in any flood risk assessment, as...
Murray Graham, Associate Director of Planning at Enzygo, considers the benefits of the walkable cities and embracing the 15-20-minute neighbourhood concept and how we can help them become a reality. Climate change is here, congestion is here, social problems and inequality are here. We need to...