University of Oxford Biochemistry building

ARCC network news for April 2014

ARCC network news

ARCC Assembly, ‘Urban areas as systems: adapting for the future’

10 –11 June 2014, Birmingham

This knowledge exchange event aims to enhance the use and impact of evidence and outputs from research in support of adaptation and resilience in the urban environment. It is aimed at academics and stakeholders from policy and practice communities and there will be a focus on understanding what urban areas need from research and how collaboration can help. Participants will be able to:
explore the role of built environment and infrastructure research in decision-making; better understand the latest research outputs; and share ideas for future research.

More information from the ARCC network website and registration is now open.

Design for future climate (D4FC) – case studies on ARCC website

ARCC is pleased to launch a searchable database of 46 case studies looking at adaptation within the design of real construction and refurbishment projects arising from the Technology Strategy Board’s D4FC competition. As well as a standard word search, the case studies are also available grouped by region (England and Wales only) and by type (e.g. residential, healthcare).

ARCC network blog is live!

The ARCC network website has a new blog feature, which will provide more insight into different strands of the network’s activity. Our first blogs are by two of the network staff team, reflecting different areas of work: inviting researchers to get involved in ARCC’s data management work; and reflecting on the use of storytelling to engage an audience.

Science-policy-practice dialogue on infrastructure interdependencies

The ARCC network, in partnership with the Environment Agency’s Infrastructure Operator’s Adaptation Forum, initiated this on-going dialogue with a workshop held on 4 April. This brought together infrastructure operators, policymakers and academics to better understand the infrastructure interdependencies landscape within the UK and discuss how they might share expertise and learning to overcome barriers and to consider ways forward. Presentations and outputs from the day are now online. Next steps include a second session as part of the ARCC Assembly.

Living with Environmental Change report card on infrastructure due out in autumn

newsletter has recently been launched to provide progress reports and news, and to invite participation by relevant stakeholders. ARCC network is one of the partners helping to develop this report card. More information is on the LWEC website.

ARCC Early Career Researcher webinar: Understanding your audience, making a difference

12.30–13.30, 13 May 2014

Jonathan Breckon from the Alliance for Useful Evidence will explore the role of good communications in ensuring that research has influence and practical impact in this free webinar – the latest in ARCC’s series of events for Early Career Researchers (ECRs). Reflecting on experience and drawing on lessons from the social sciences, he will demonstrate how evidence, working with stakeholders and addressing the right questions can have impact beyond the research community.  ECRs are invited to register.

Project news & events

ITRC plans for future national infrastructure

The Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium (ITRC) recently held a conference on ‘The future of national infrastructure systems and economic prosperity’. Participants focused on how infrastructure research can contribute to understanding the current and future economic functions of national infrastructure systems. Discussion at the event uncovered a need to prioritise the appraisal of the economic case for infrastructure projects and programmes, and wide gaps in understanding the link between infrastructure systems and economic prosperity. Presentations from this event are available at and a selection of papers will be published in a special issue of the Journal of Infrastructure Complexity.

Challenges and opportunities for transforming cities

28 May 2014, London

Liveable Cities is a five-year programme aiming to find ways to create UK cities that provide social wellbeing, low carbon living and resource security. This fifth Liveable Cities bi-annual summit will focus on future cities and the challenges and opportunities for policy and practice. More information from the Liveable Cities website. Places are very limited. Please contact Joanne Leach if you are interested in attending.

Other news and events

Call for evidence: DfT transport resilience review

The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a consultation to seek views on the planning, performance and response of the transport network to severe weather in order to identify practical measures to improve resilience. The deadline is 2 May 2014.

Call for papers – Contemporary Social Science special issue on high-speed rail

The proposal to construct HS2 – a high-speed rail link between London, the Midlands and the North of England – has generated much controversy.  This special issue aims to create an interdisciplinary forum for the social sciences to contribute their analyses. Closing date for papers is 30 September 2014.

Funding for collaborative projects on environmental risks and infrastructure

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has funding for scientists to support decision-makers who manage environmental risks to infrastructure. An Innovation funding callis for supporting partnerships between academics and partners in industry, associated policy-making, regulatory bodies and non-governmental organisations. The goal is to translate existing environmental science to assist decision-makers in their management of environmental risks to infrastructure. The call opens on 12 May 2014, with applications to be submitted by 19 June 2014.

Cities Alive – new report from Arup

Cities Alive – rethinking green infrastructure’ is the product of a collaboration between ARUP and the Landscape Institute.  It investigates how green infrastructure can be a key driver to help urban areas to the challenges of, for example, climate change, pollution and population growth.

Flood indices for Britain

The Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia is hosting fluvial flood indices (1871 to present) for Environment Agency regions of England and Wales as well as areas that are the responsibility of the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. Data is available to download.

Hydrological Outlook UK – groundwater levels and river flows

Hydrological Outlook UK is a forecasting service for river flows and groundwater levels across the UK. The information is intended to help government agencies, councils and businesses affected by the weather to prepare for and manage future extreme weather events. Its principal focus is to provided an outlook of likely conditions for the next three months.

Climate Change Research in Practice – Tyndall PhD conference

23–25 April 2014, Manchester

This year’s annual Tyndall event for PhD researchers will be held at the University of Manchester and is aimed at PhD students working on topics related to climate change including water, land, energy, governance, behaviour, cities and coasts.

Green Sky thinking week

28 April–2 May 2014, London

This week long programme of activity at locations across the capital aims to highlight practical solutions for making London’s built environment more sustainable. The event is run by Open-City, an architecture education organisation.

Energy transition and public health

16 May 2014, London

This one day event will highlight some of the links between energy choices and public health, starting with discussion of current research and energy policy. Full programme and registration details.

Annual UK-Ireland planning research conference

9-11 September 2014, Oxford

Abstracts are invited for papers for the forthcoming UK-Ireland planning research conferencewhich will discuss planning issues and the planning profession in 21st century. Papers are invited under themes including future-proofing society, smart cities and large scale projects and infrastructure planning. Submission deadline is 1 May 2014.