Scotland

Increase in cancers and fertility problems may be caused by household chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Chemicals which disrupt the hormone system found in food, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, household products and cosmetics – also known as 'endocrine disrupting chemicals' (EDCs)...
UDG Practice Project Award 2013: Call for Entries
Submissions are now being accepted for the Urban Design Group Practice Project Award for 2012/13. We're looking for projects which demonstrate the very best in innovative urban design...
UDG Executive Committee 2012/13: Call for nominations
The Urban Design Group's Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 20 June 2012 at 6pm in The Gallery, 70 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EJ. All members are welcome to attend. At the...
What's Next for High Streets
What's Next for High Streets- Rob Cowan http://www.urbandesignskills.com/blog/post/4f70aad3c19ba   The Future of the High Street - Ben van Bruggen http://www.vburbandesign.com/1/post/...
MyStreet Film Competition 2012
MyStreet is an exciting opportunity for you to tell your story about your area, through film. Share with the world where you are, who you are and how you live. The MyStreet annual competition has...
Prenatal exposure to combustion-related pollutants and anxiety, attention problems in young children
Link established with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the blood. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-prenatal-exposure-combustion-related-pollutants-anxiety.html Sources are - vehicles,...
Prenatal exposure to combustion-related pollutants and anxiety, attention problems in young children
Link established with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the blood. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-prenatal-exposure-combustion-related-pollutants-anxiety.html Sources are - vehicles,...
Transport for London could face corporate manslaughter charge over cyclist’s death
Woman cyclist was killed by rear wheels of lorry at Kings Cross, at a place where the lane width was less that TfL's own guidance. No charges have been brought in the case and any decision rests...
Urban Design Award Winners 2012
The Urban Design Group's annual awards event for 2012 took place on Wednesday 15 February in the prestigious surroundings of the Royal United Services Institute, 61 Whitehall, London. Hosted...
Scotland Vacant and Derelict Land Survey
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/01/9982
Review of Community Planning (Scotland)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/01/Planning27012012
Vision for Edinburgh tourism places improved public realm at its heart
Article in the Scotsman demonstrates that there is a hard business case for investing in the public realm. http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/heritage/historic-sites/...
Aberdeen City Garden scheme could lead to Bilbao effect...
http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/2598086
Scotland Long leases bill to turn leases (let for more than 175 years with over 100 years to run) into formal ownership
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/01/12111535
Songdo in South Korea leading charge to become city of the future
The metropolis of Songdo in South Korea could help older cities, like London, to upgrade. Cities are already home to half of the world’s 7billion population and that figure will rise to 70 per...
Scotland's Cities: Delivering for Scotland
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/12/15154546/0
Greening of vacant/derelict sites may improve health and safety of nearby residents
Unfortunately this research, although potentially of great interest, has been reported in a way that it is difficult to draw conclusions.. http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/2011/11/more-...
Bulk of global economy owned by 1318 companies with core of 147 super entitities - mostly banks
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21228354.500-revealed--the-capitalist-network-that-runs-the-world.html
Eco-Cities: Global Survey 2011
This report introduces and summarises the findings of the Global Eco-Cities Survey 2011, including information about 174 recent eco-city initiatives. This builds on and expands the first global...
Scottish government doubles funding for affordable housing
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/09/22152925
Scotland Urban deer management - Scottish Government
Scotland's urban areas are now home to increasing numbers of roe deer.  A deer code is under development to help manage the changes - including accident risk, damage to landscaping....
The National Housing Trust (NHT) initiative to create new rented homes
The National Housing Trust (NHT) initiative, led by the Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust, will see developers and local authorities jointly funding the purchase of newly-built homes so...
Environmental impact assessment regulations guidance
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/06/01084419/0
Flood Risk Management Act Guidance published by Scottish Government
Guidance covers key actions to reduce flood risk including: A reduction in the number of people, homes and property at risk of flooding as a result of public funds being invested in actions that...
The Potential of Development Charges in The Scottish Planning System
The financing of infrastructure is currently a key constraint to development and the report explores the potential of development charges to assist this situation http://www.scotland.gov.uk/...
Urban Design Group Practice Award 2011
It is now the time of year when the UDG invites practices to submit an entry for our annual project award. Please see full submission guidelines here. The deadline for entries is Friday 8...
Urban Design Group Public Sector Award 2011
The Urban Design Group is always keen to give recognition to the important, creative and high quality work being done in urban design by public sector bodies, despite – and often...
UDG AGM, Annual Report & New Executive Committee
The Urban Design Group AGM was held at 6.15pm on Wednesday 15 June 2011 in The Gallery at 70 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EJ. At the meeting, the new Executive Committee was announced, as...
Design and Planning - Letter to Chief Planners
"One thing that has not changed is the importance this Government places on the achievement of well designed homes and high quality places. High quality design has a crucial role to play in...
Higher university tuition fees likely to damage economies of university towns
A report by the Centre for Cities says student spending accounts for 10% of the economic activity of some cities.  Most dependent on student revenue are: Cambridge, Plymouth, Coventry, Oxford,...
An ambitious future for urban design education..
In early May, the Urban Design Group supported by MADE is holding its first urban design education symposium.  Course leaders from across the UK will be coming to discuss challenges and...
Climate change induced landslide threat to cities
Over the last decade, rock avalanches and landslides have become more common in high mountain ranges, apparently coinciding with the increase in exceptionally warm periods. http://www.newscientist....