Director for Global Foresight & Innovation, Chris Luebkeman, was interviewed by Stephen Lacey, a producer with RenewableEnergyWorld. He was one of three asked to address the future of cities, energy supply and carbon reductions in the face of environmental and social challenges. His is the third interview.
In the developed world, society is producing more waste then ever before which is having a detrimental affect on us both socially and ecologically and on the Earth’s ability to cope. What has caused this culture of consumerism and what can we do to change?
Rachel Birch is a Scientist and Waste Researcher in Arup’s Foresight, Innovation and Incubation team. In this 15 minute podcast, Rachel explains the key factors behind our throwaway society, including new technology and how the development of new technology encourages the consumer to continuously upgrade and discard old technology. She also explores some of the many solutions to this issue, including expanding product life span, a service based economy and buying and producing bio-degradable products.
In a 12-minute podcast, Francesca Birks takes an in-depth look at the topic of demographics. After first addressing the meaning of the term, Francesca explains why demographics is an important issue for Arup, and delves into three prime aspects of demographic change: population growth, the ageing population and urban migration. As the world’s population continues to grow – larger, older and increasingly urban – Francesca argues that there has never been a more important time to address demographic change and the many challenges and opportunities it presents for the industry.
Dave Evans addresses the concept of wellbeing in the workplace; looking at ways in which Arup’s Management Consulting Group can assist.
For most of us, our time at work represents around a third of our living hours and organisations are having to adapt to a more open and flexible approach to employees’ working patterns and work / life balance. However not everyone experiences their workplace in a positive or healthy way. Wellbeing in the workplace is becoming an increasingly important and wide-ranging issue for organisations as the physical and mental health of the working environment comes under closer scrutiny.
Arup has experience in working with a wide range of businesses in understanding and addressing these issues and provides practical advice and strategies to ensure positive wellbeing in the workplace. What exactly constitutes one’s sense of wellbeing? And what, in an age of high demands and stress, can governments, organisations and individuals do to ensure a positive sense of wellbeing in employees?
Dave Evans is an Organisational Behaviour expert working within the Management Consulting group, where he advises clients on issues such as business and culture change, leadership and team development. [via arup.com]
Susan Thomas looks at where urbanisation is taking place, as well as some of its causes – from population growth through to the reclassification of rural areas. She also addresses the pros and cons of the process; the issues being faced in both developed and developing nations; megacities and eco-cities; and the ways in which designers are planning for the future. [via arup.com]
Audio and slides from Clima2007 presentation on *Ubiquitous Computing* as a driver of change. The 25 minute presentation describes why ubiquitous computing is important and then gives four examples of projects at Arup in this area.
Last part of Antony Turner’s talk on carbon as currency. (Download file)
Second part of Antony Turner’s talk on carbon as currency. (Download file)
First part of Antony Turner’s talk on carbon as currency. (Download file)
Introduction by Simon Roberts to the podcast (in 3 parts) by Antony Turner of CarbonSense. (Download file)
