The University of Bath has hosted a ‘Built Environment - Building a Better World’ event, for delegates to discover the range of exciting work being undertaken by our academics from Bath, the BRE Group, and industry working in the built environment.
The event hosted at the Apex Hotel, Bath, brought together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the challenges facing the built environment and how these challenges can be addressed through collaborative partnerships.
90% of the University of Bath’s research activity, for Architecture, Built Environment and Planning is either world-leading or internationally excellent. We are using our expertise and working with external collaborators to help provide solutions to global challenges of the built environment. This includes the government’s industrial strategy challenges; a core challenge of which is Clean Growth with a target to at least halve the energy use of new buildings by 2030.
Partnerships supported through our ‘Building a Better World’ event will work to not only help reduce energy demand but also boost economic growth, whilst meeting targets for carbon reduction.
Professor Pete Walker, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the University, and academic lead for the event, says:
Today has provided a vital opportunity to discuss current and future challenges for stakeholders working in the built environment. Given the enormity of these challenges we are presented with, it is essential we join forces to provide solutions that are effective and sustainable.
Specifically, focus areas at the event included Resources, Infrastructure, Digital Design, and the Circular Economy.
Dr Julie Bregulla, Director of Fire and Building Technology at BRE Ltd, says:
BRE has a long and successful collaborative history with the University of Bath, which led to the BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials at the University. We are actively engaged in applied research which has a direct impact on society and look forward to delivering new impact with the University and other industry partners.
The mixture of presentations, workshops and panel discussions, included guests from AECOM, Foster + Partners, and Expedition Engineering. Delegates were from various organisations such as BuroHappold, Arup, Atkins, National Composites Centre, and numerous other architectural and engineering companies.
Bethany Turner, EPSRC Portfolio Manager for the Built Environment says:
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has been a major research funder for the University over many years, given our shared interests. It is exciting to see new opportunities developing which meet our priorities of supporting world-leading research.
Photo, left to right: Professor Pete Walker, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Bath; Bethany Turner, EPSRC Portfolio Manager; Chris Wise, Director of Expedition Engineering; Dr Julie Bregulla, Director of Fire and Building Technology at BRE Ltd; Craig White, Director of Modcell; Helen Jones, Head of Research Grant Development (Industrial Strategy), University of Bath.