The India-UK technical assistance workshop is part of a project supported by the British High Commission to help Aluva minimise climate impact risk. The project aims to help Aluva better prepare for climate impact by developing sustainable approaches to growth that integrate the needs and solutions of local communities. The workshop is organised by Atkins International Ltd UK, the International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism (INTBAU) in partnership with Aluva Municipality, Kerala.
The technical workshop aims to bring together a diverse group of local stakeholders in Aluva to:
discuss and understand key issues surrounding the sustainable development of Aluva
agree a shared vision for the future of Aluva that combines local knowledge and international expertise
jointly define a framework for future action that will guide sustainable growth by increasing resilience to eliminate risks, reduce energy intensity and build support for future action
The project builds upon the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Aluva Municipality and WS Atkins International (ATKINS) supported by the British High Commission and witnessed by HRH The Prince of Wales during his visit to Kerala in November 2013.
Bharat Joshi, British Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai said:
UK has immense experience in developing smart cities and has been supporting future-proofing of Indian cities like Madurai. We wish this partnership would work to the benefit of Aluva.
UK stakeholders/spokespeople
Atkins: is one of the world’s leading engineering and design consultancies, working in cities around the world, across the spectrum of issues, to create a liveable future. Since its inception in 1938, Atkins has grown in size and diversity to its current position as the largest engineering consultancy in the UK, the largest multi-disciplinary consultancy in Europe and the third largest design firm in the world. Today, Atkins generates an annual turnover in excess of £1.7 billion and employs around 17,700 staff world-wide with offices in 25 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas.
Atkins has completed projects in over 175 countries where they have established a reputation for delivering professional excellence. As well as DFID Atkins has considerable project experience of planning in developing countries, including in Africa and working relationships with World Bank, EuropeAid, ADB, IADB, AfDB, UNDP, UNESCO UN Habitat and other international bodies.
Atkins is a leading force in research preparing cities against future global risks. A major report ‘Future Proofing Cities’ was published in November 2012, in a unique partnership with the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and University College London (UCL), which assesses the risks to 129 cities. It looks at their risk profile from climate hazards, resource scarcities, and damage to eco systems and urges action to future proof against these risks.
Roger Savage BA, MPhil, RTPI: Roger is a Director of Atkins and Cities Practice Lead-Infrastructure and Cities Advisory. His current role involves supporting governments and city authorities in developing plans for urban development addressing the future needs and challenges of cities including climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Over the last 12 years he has worked with more than 50 cities and governmental bodies around the world. As well as supporting leading UK cities, he has developed plans in cities in more than 15 countries includes cities in Asia, Africa, south America and the Middle East and has been at the forefront of shaping integrated strategies which can be effective in the context of rapidly urbanising cities. Roger has been instrumental in the development of Atkins Future Proofing Cities approach for DfID and more recently has led Low Carbon Cities and Future Proofing Cities projects in India.
Roger is one of Atkins’ key thinkers on urban issues and how cities can position themselves to respond to economic and social development and environmental challenges including climate change risks. He is a regular speaker at conferences and events. Roger holds an honours degree in Geography from the University of Sheffield and was awarded the Alice Garnett Prize for the best dissertation. He has a Masters of Philosophy in Town Planning from the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London and was awarded the William Holford Prize outstanding academic achievement. He is based at Atkins’ head office in London.
INTBAU: The International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism (INTBAU), is primarily a network dedicated to the creation of humane and harmonious buildings and places which respect local traditions. The secretariat of the organisation is based in London, United Kingdom, under the Patronage of HRH The Prince of Wales. 20 national Chapters of INTBAU are established as independent, affiliated charities in countries around the world.
INTBAU is a worldwide organisation dedicated to the support of traditional building, the maintenance of local character and the creation of better places to live. They are developing an active network of individuals and institutions who design, make, maintain, study or enjoy traditional building, architecture and places.
INTBAU’s varied international programme of events brings together network members, practitioners, artisans and students. By education and training in traditional architecture, urbanism and the building crafts, they encourage people to maintain and restore traditional buildings, and to build new buildings and places that contribute to traditional environments and improve the quality of life in cities, towns and villages around the world.
INTBAU’s network of nearly 5,000 members and affiliated institutions is a global force for the continuity of tradition in architecture and building and the promotion of traditional urban design. Their network works to develop programmes tailored to local needs on every continent. National chapters have been formed in Australia, Canada, Cuba, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Spain, the UK and the USA.
INTBAU is a sister charity of The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community.
Alireza Sagharchi R.I.B.A., FRSA: Alireza is the Principal of Stanhope Gate Architecture in London. He is an internationally renowned Architect and a leading practitioner and an exponent of contemporary classical architecture and traditional urban design. During his professional career, he has been responsible for major master planning and building projects in the UK, Europe, North America and the Middle East. His projects have received awards and have been widely published and exhibited.
He has taught at the Prince of Wales’ Institute of Architecture and has been a visiting critic at a number of schools of architecture in the UK and the US. He is also the co-author of the recently published books titled ‘New Palladians’ and ‘Traditional Architecture’ which carry a foreword by HRH, the Prince of Wales. Alireza is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, the Chairman of the Traditional Architecture Group at the R.I.B.A., A trustee of the International Network for Traditional Building Architecture and Urbanism (INTBAU). He is a member of the Prince’s Foundation and sits on the Casework Panel of the Georgian Group.
A press briefing will be held Thursday, 13 November at 1530 hrs at the Le Meridien Hotel, Maradu, Kochi to help summarise key emerging outcomes from the workshop and the wider project which started in September 2014 and will conclude later next year.
Please email Anita Mawdsley or call on mobile: +91-96001-99956.
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