Date: 12 July 2006
Venue: London
Speakers: Dr Mike de Silva, Transport for London; David Solman, Greater London Authority; Peter Lipman, Sustrans; Jonathan Smales, Beyond Green; Penny Cracknell, Bush Homes

Description: A key element of the creation of Sustainable Communities is ensuring good accessibility. Making public transport, walking and cycling attractive options is central to improving congestion and local air quality, social inclusion and quality of life as well as the effects on climate change. The planning and design of developments and the public realm, complemented by local amenities and residential travel planning, can encourage many more people to travel sustainably. Density and layout, infrastructure provision and the streetscape all contribute to creating more liveable neighbourhoods.

In areas such as Thames Gateway, bringing all the elements together requires co-ordination and co-operation from a number of bodies; developers and the construction industry are in a good position to gain from leading the field in this crucial aspect of sustainable construction. This workshop provided an overview of the drivers and barriers to implementation. Speakers illustrated the possibilities in both new developments and within existing urban areas.

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