It hasn’t been an easy year for anyone with the pandemic and for Londoners it has been particularly hard. The pandemic has put a lot of added pressure on more vulnerable areas and it has highlighted how there needs to be increased access to greenspace, a focus on air quality and encouragement of social and community projects to boost morale and wellbeing, and support the vulnerable people who have been hit particularly hard this last year.
In March 2021, it was announced that the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is going to put £3 million into a programme called Future Neighbourhoods. This Mayor has seen the opportunity to turn the challenges of the last year into an opportunity to reimagine London. The programme will support two to four Future Neighbourhoods to develop exemplar sustainable and circular economies, showcasing what can be achieved when innovation and holistic cross sector design aim for net zero.
The program focusses on five key themes which also aim to deliver the predominant goals of the Green New Deal. The first focus is on the retrofitting of homes, commercial and public buildings. Only 35% of London’s homes achieve adequate energy performance and one in nine households aren’t able to comfortably afford their home heating bills. Future Neighbourhoods are tackling this issue by focusing on improving building fabrics and energy efficiency in the home whilst also encouraging renewable energy installation. Not only will this cut down carbon emissions but will provide a better, more secure living standard for communities.
The second focus point is creating a decarbonised, smart and integrated energy system. This means focussing in on using renewable energy and making best use of waste heat sources, just like we do at District Eating. Using waste heat is a great way of reducing emissions and providing low carbon energy in comparison with a business-as-usual approach.
The third point is going to be one of the most important – improving air quality and creating zero emission zones. The programme will encourage people to cycle walk or run to work instead of taking the car, while at the same time also working to decarbonise vehicle transport options.
During the pandemic, so many of us have come to realise just how important green spaces are for our wellbeing. The next focus of the programme is about creating a green infrastructure network including green roofs, additional trees and installation of urban shading. Not only will this be important for Londoners’ wellbeing after the pandemic but will also encourage biodiversity, through creation of valuable habitat.
The final point is creating a zero waste, circular economy – how to integrate all the aspects of the programme, energy and efficiency, transport, wellbeing, community and employment. All the things we stand for in the work that we do!
Future Neighbourhoods are going to support development of green jobs and skills that will have a wider impact on the transition to a low-carbon circular economy. Exciting employment and training opportunities will arise through developing projects that focus on each of the 5 focus areas described.
This is an incredible opportunity for London and a positive focus as we begin to move beyond the pandemic. Sadiq Khan intends this to be a £7.5million multi-year programme aimed at developing the vision for a ‘Sustainable London’ of the future.
We are looking to become involved with this programme. If you are a London Authority developing an Expression of Interest, please get in touch! Our speciality is developing horticulture projects that use waste heat and CO2, and heat from district heating networks. Our projects can generate revenue from waste, and improve the business case of heat networks, while also creating jobs, training, food, flowers, happiness, and beautiful spaces!
For more information regarding the services provided by District Eating please contact: pip@districteating.com
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