Lucy Roper’s weekly Built Environment news round-up: December 13, 2018

Posted on: 2018-12-13

Each week, UCEM Information Governance Manager, Lucy Roper reports on the latest news stories from the Built Environment.

This week, Lucy draws our attention to two concerning developments for our planet but follows these updates with two stories which should lift the spirits a little!

Two bad…

David Attenborough’s call to action

There are very few people, aside from politicians, with enough clout to make the world consider what they have to say. Fortunately, natural historian, and de facto British national treasure, Sir David Attenborough is one of those such people, so when he called upon world leaders to act over climate change, this engendered worldwide debate. The BBC’s Politics Live panel discussed whether politicians would be impelled to act with the issue of Brexit still dominating national discourse.

Sir David’s words were delivered hot on the heels of the government’s most detailed report on climate change yet which is likely to have many implications for the Built Environment as time goes on.

A quarter of Indonesian capital could be underwater by 2025

In surprisingly unrelated news, an Indonesian university has warned that over 25% of the country’s capital, Jakarta, could be underwater by 2025. Rather than rising sea levels, the prediction is attributed to the weak infrastructure of the city which is resulting in the Built Environment sinking, reports Global Construction Review.

Two good…

Visual Built Environment feast

This one doesn’t need too much of a description. Construction Manager publishes the entries for the 2018 Art of Building photography competition which is a bona fide feast for the eyes!

Online tool developed to support planning authorities

Mining and groundwater constraints can now be identified during the planning process thanks to a free online tool developed by the Coal Authority and Environment Agency. The development is being piloted in the North East of England but could be extended to other parts of the country if successful.

For more from Lucy, take a look at her latest e-bulletin.