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The Max Lock
Centre conducted research into retrofitting
technologies for sustainable development. The project begins from
the premise that much of the current research into sustainability
is concerned with technologies and practices for new builds. While
the adoption of such technologies in new developments is
commendable, our concern is that historic cities and town centres
are being
overlooked.
Large swathes of our town and city centres are under
conservation orders and only 2% of our existing building stock is
renewed each year. Redeveloping city centres to ensure they match
sustainable guidelines is thus not feasible. How is it then
possible to ensure historic urban areas are included in the drive
to create more sustainable communities? How are we to ensure that
historic buildings and city centres conform to the Government’s
sustainability agenda?
This initial scoping study identified the
challenges and suggest possible solutions to improve the
sustainability of the Soho area in London, focusing in particular
on the historic building fabric. It is an area-based study that
highlights the issues that confront retrofitting existing historic
areas and illustrates these through case studies and examples of
good practice.
With financial support from the Soho Community Environment
Fund, The Crown Estate the
City of Westminster, English Heritage, and
Shaftesbury PLC, the
project sets out policy guidelines for implementing sustainable
retrofit technologies.
On 26 November 2007 the project was awarded a
Bronze Award from the International Awards for
Liveable Communities 2007 for Environmentally Sustainable
Projects.
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