Sustainable Cities

Interested in the future of our cities? Cities in Europe and around the world are leading the way in finding innovative ways to reduce their carbon.

During the Sustainable Cities event, 5 speakers came to discuss the impact the future of our cities.

SUMITA SINGHA: Sumita is an architect, author and academic in the field of sustainable design who has worked in the UK and abroad.

She has received awards for design, art and photography. Sumita won the UIA:UNESCO International award for housing design and Atkins Inspire award for Inspirational leadership.

Sumita set up Architects for Change, the equality forum of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Sumita's publications include, 'Architecture For Rapid Change and Scarce Resources' (Routledge 2012) and 'Autotelic Architect' (Routledge 2016) and she is currently working on an encyclopedia of Women In Architecture. Sumita is a Non Executive Director of Moorfields NHS Foundation Trust.

ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS @Warwick: Engineers Without Borders UK are an international development organisation that removes barriers to development through engineering.

Their programs provide opportunities for young people to learn about technology's role in tackling poverty. Engineers Without Borders University of Warwick are a student led society at the University of Warwick.

They welcome anyone who is interested in International Development and Renewable Technologies.

Through engineering solutions, they serve the needs of disadvantaged communities all over the world.

MARIA CASERIO: Dr Maria Caserio is a landscape architect and sustainability consultant.

She has carried out research for UK research councils and undertaken consultancy work for several Universities, regional agencies, UK and European design practices which have focussed attention on issues relating to sustainable urban policies, urban design processes and environmental value systems.

Her research develops assessment methods which facilitate design thinking and manage the urban environment in order to promote healthier lifestyles and improve wellbeing.

Current research activity is developing nature based solutions to measure community sustainability goals which address the long-term success and resilience of a development.

KARL WALKER: Karl is a sustainability and energy entrepreneur and advisor providing organisational and project sustainable planning and strategy. With over 15 years of expertise in major infrastructure, building design and construction at AECOM, Karl led the green agenda for the UKs most sustainable public building, Brent Civic Centre. The project achieved 6 Sustainability Awards including the; Edie Sustainability Leaders Award, 2013, the RIBA Regional Sustainability Award, 2014 and the BREEAM Mixed Use Award, 2015. Karl was nominated as one of UK Building magazine’s Top 50 Brightest Talent in Sustainability, 2014.

Karl is a Director of Ethical Introductions Ltd t/a Clean Energy UK (CEUK) and head of consulting. CEUK is a commercial energy consultancy and social enterprise specialising in transitioning business to low carbon and renewable supply and providing energy efficiency advice. Karl also sits on the advisory board as a director of the Carbon Free Group, a registered Community Interest Company (CIC). Karl recently qualified in Renewable Energy Management & Finance with the EEC and is a sustainability building assessor with a postgraduate in Sustainable Development (MBEnv)

Having trained with Former Vice President Al Gore & The Climate Reality Project, Karl presents and facilitates workshops on climatic change.

With his entrepreneurial spirit and creative flare, he is actively campaigning and developing projects including ‘My Climate Story’ and the ‘Big Clean Switch’ www.bigcleanswitch.org/better

MARIANNA CAVADA:

Marianna is a Smart Cities PhD research student at the University of Birmingham. She provided integrated innovative research approach both bottom up and top down for the Smart Cities conceptualisation.

She also developed a holistic assessment model for Smart cities, based on a Smart framework using innovative interdisciplinary methodologies.

Marianna has practiced architecture and urban design along with her teaching experience, internationally (UAE, China, UK) and is focusing on holistic practices for contextual urban innovation.

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