Urbanism
Environment
Design

info@urbed.coop

The workshop brought together a group of practitioners and policy makers to discuss the feasibility of using a new generation of trams to connect the historic centre with new housing and other developments. Short (ten minute) presentations were followed by questions, to scope out what a feasibility study would examine. A report is now available under downloads>

This workshop addressed the issues of how to make housing more affordable, particularly to those on low incomes, and considered both new housing and the existing stock ( with an emphasis on the former) in and around the City of Oxford. With average house prices some 15 times average incomes, and the need to provide 28,000 new homes in Oxford alone, there is an urgent need to balance the need for numbers and higher design standards with making sure those on lower incomes are not squeezed out.

In November 2014, a workshop was held at Keble College, Oxford to bring together researchers and research users with an interest in the future development of Oxfordshire. 

The conference was chaired by Dr Nicholas Falk and four leading thinkers illustrated key transport research findings including:

i) The Housing Crisis in Oxford - the need for expansion and development

Professor Danny Dorling - Halford Mackinder Professor of Geography, Oxford

ii) Developing a Spatial Growth and Investment Strategy for Oxfordshire

Yesterday we attended the Centre's User Group meeting and presented some initial thoughts about refurbishing and extending the building. The group gave really interesting feedback bout the layouts and design strategy. It was good to have the opportunity to speak with a variety of users from the different  groups who use the centre. We are planning on visiting some existing Pupil Referral Units in Greater Manchester as well as some commercial kitchens to help inform the designs.

Carbon Co-op and URBED's whole house retrofit project featured in last week's Big Issue in the North. The article highlights some of the householders' experiences and includes an interview with Jonathan Atkinson of Carbon Co-op who sets the wider context and discusses plans for the future.

Amongst other things, the images show external wall insulation and perimeter floor insulation at various stages of installation.