6th CIBSE Technical Symposium to be held in Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh on 14th - 15th April 2016

The symposium theme is ‘Integration for whole life building performance’, and aims to encourage the participation of both young and experienced industry practitioners, researchers and building operators to share experiences and develop networks.

With over 80% of the UK population now living in urban areas and an increasing number of people choosing to live in towns and cities, the planning of future cities is becoming ever more important to ensure sustained economic growth and improved quality of life. Integration across urban buildings and services is recognised as a way to ensure cities become more resilient to climate change and reduce their impact on the environment.

Their call for papers can be found at the following link: http://www.cibse.org/technical-symposium-2016/technical-symposium-2016-call-for-abstracts. Submissions are to be made by 14th September 2015.
They are keen to get a good representation of presentations including societies, universities, research organisations, industry and others. They are aiming to keep the cost of attendance as low as possible - this is primarily a learned event. 

The deadline for abstracts for the Symposium 2016 is 14th September 2015 - please see details at the link if you would like to take part.


Key dates
14th September 2015 - submit 250 word abstract to symposium@cibse.org
October 2015 – Authors selected to proceed will be advised and specifically invited to prepare draft material suitable for oral or for poster delivery.
4th December 2015 – Selected authors submit draft manuscripts of full paper (between 3000 and 5000 words), or the draft poster, or case study keynotes for peer review
Early January 2016 – Authors receive reviewers' comments and develop final submission following review, and subject to acceptance by the reviewers/technical committee.
5th February 2016 – Deadline for submission of the finally reviewed paper/poster, or case study keynotes
11th March 2016 – Deadline for submission of final slides (which will be pre-loaded at the event)

“Our Common Future under Climate Change” UNESCO and UPMC (Paris) in July 2015.

The International Scientific Conference “Our Common Future under Climate Change” will take place at UNESCO and UPMC (Paris) in July 2015.
This four-day conference will be the largest forum for the scientific community to come together ahead of the 21st UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP21), which will be hosted by France in December 2015 (“Paris Climat 2015”). Building on the results of IPCC 5th Assessment Report (AR5), the Conference will address key issues concerning climate change in the broader context of global change. It will offer an opportunity to discuss solutions for both mitigation and adaptation issues. The Conference will also welcome Side Events organized by different stakeholders.

The Conference has four overarching objectives:

1 - Provide state-of-the-art scientific knowledge on climate change, one year after the release of IPCC AR5: physical basis of climate change, impacts, adaptation and vulnerability, mitigation, storylines and scenarios.

2 - Explore a wide range of pathways combining climate change mitigation and adaptation, and sustainable development.  

3 - Assess the potential for evidence-based solutions to climate change challenges.

4 - Contribute to a science-society dialogue. 

+Info: “Our Common Future under Climate Change”


During these days,  The Urban Climate Change Research Network will be launching the UCCRN European Hub, in partnership with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, the Pierre and Marie Curie University, and l’Atelier International du Grand Paris to strengthen a European network of scholars and stakeholders dedicated to climate change and cities.

The launch will take place on Thursday, July 9, at Pavillon de l'Arsenal (21 Boulevard Morland, 75004), from 18:00-21:00 during "Climate Change and Cities, a Global Network of Scientists and Stakeholders" -- a side-event accredited by the international conference .

URBAN CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH NETWORK

 

UCCRN would like to invite you to submit abstracts for the following two sessions organized by UCCRN members, at the European Climate Change Adaptation Conference (ECCA) 2015 from May 12-14, 2015 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
1) “Integrating adaptation and mitigation strategies in urban areas: The UCCRN Assessment Report on Climate Change and Cities” (Chair, Stelios Grafakos, Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, CLA Mitigation and Adaptation Chapter ARC3-2)
2) “Reconciling Adaptation and Mitigation in Cities”  (Co-Chairs, Richard Dawson, Newcastle University, UK, CLA Urban Coastal Zones Chapter ARC3-2 and Alberto Trenzi, ICLEI)
This would be great opportunity to align ARC3-2 chapters, especially with regard to Mitigation/Adaptation Relationships and to receive feedback from stakeholders. Please find details about both sessions and instructions for submitting your abstract below.
 

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Abstract submission

Abstracts can be submitted through the online submission system at https://www.eventure-online.com/eventure/welcome.do?type=abstract&congress=68_506 by Monday 2nd February, 2015.

More information and details about the contents and structure of the workshop can be found at the link below:

http://www.ecca2015.eu/images/53_Integrating_adaptation_and_mitigation_strategies_in_urban_areas_.pdf

 

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Integrating adaptation and mitigation strategies in urban areas: The UCCRN Assessment Report on Climate Change and Cities.
 

Climate change mitigation and adaptation are areas of high priority action in the urban context. These are often dealt with as separate issues in academic research, international climate talks, as well as national and local policy-making -leading to a situation where these focus areas often compete for funding and for decision-makers’ attention. The session will discuss the main challenges and potential of cities to integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation actions.

The session will also discuss the experiences of cities from different geographical regions regarding how they address climate adaptation and mitigation conflicts, synergies and trade - offs. Drawing lessons from selected cities, the session will illustrate the need and importance of building a robust climate knowledge base in cities to support them in developing climate change actions strategies to address both climate adaptation and mitigation in an integrated manner.
 

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ZERO NET ENERGY CASE STUDY BUILDINGS

If you are interested in Zero net energy (ZNE) buildings you have to read this publication.

ZERO NET ENERGY CASE STUDY BUILDINGS

This monogaph provides information about six non-residential buildings  that were designed and built to perform at Zero net energy (ZNE) consumption over the course of a year in California .Each has proven to be successful at achieving that level of performance, or better, for at least one year of post-construction occupancy.

International conference on City Sciences. 4-5 June 2015

Taking place in Shanghai, the paradigm of challenges for future cities and a crossroad itself between East and West, the International Conference on City Sciences responds to these and other issues by bringing together academics, policy makers, industry analysts, providers and practitioners to present and discuss their findings. A broad range of topics related to infrastructures and services in the framework of city sciences are welcome as subjects for papers, posters and panel sessions:

•     Developments of new infrastructures and services of relevance in an urban context: broadband, wireless, sensors, data, energy, transport, housing, water, waste, and environment.
•     Smart city developments and cases
•     Social and economic developments citizen-centric
•     Renewed government services in a local level
•     Simulation and modeling of the urban context

Additional relevant topics are also welcomed.

Authors of selected papers from the conference will be invited to submit to special issues of international peer-reviewed academic journals.

Important deadlines

31 January 2015- Deadline for abstracts and panel sessions suggestions

15 March 2015 Notification of acceptance

30 April Deadline for final papers and panel session outlines

For +Info: International Conference on City Sciences

International Conference on City Sciences. 4-5 June

Taking place in Shanghai, the paradigm of challenges for future cities and a crossroad itself between East and West, the International Conference on City Sciences responds to these and other issues by bringing together academics, policy makers, industry analysts, providers and practitioners to present and discuss their findings. A broad range of topics related to infrastructures and services in the framework of city sciences are welcome as subjects for papers, posters and panel sessions:


For +Info: International Conference on City Sciences

NEXT WEEK CONAMA 2014 IS BACK IN MADRID (SPAIN)

Next week from the 24^th to the 27^th of November , CONAMA 2014 is back in Madrid. This annual event is organized by CONAMA foundation with the main aim of placing sustainability as a key factor in the future global development .

This year,  the programm is focused in  "low-carbon economy" and the main points they will be discussing are:

• Energy efficiency and climate change
• Economy and society
• Environmental quality and health
• Urban and building refurbishment
• Rural development
• Biodiversity
• Mobility and transport
• Waste
• Water

+INFO: CONAMA 2014