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Enviro21 news

25 September 2009

Pan-European group comes to Hastings to tackle climate change

A European-wide delegation is visiting Hastings this week to discuss measures to tackle climate change. The 'Future Cities' group has visited the South Queensway Enviro21 Park, a sustainable business development in north-west Hastings, and is leading a summit of environmental experts and local businesses.

The EU-funded Future Cities project aims to help towns in north-west Europe manage the effects of global warming by adapting fundamental urban structures including water systems, energy use and green spaces.

Led by German water board Lippeverband, the Future Cities team includes Hastings Borough Council, Sea Space and the South East Partnership Board - plus other organisations from Germany, France, The Netherlands and Belgium.

The team is working with municipal authorities, water boards, regional planning associations and project development agencies from across Europe to research best practice, develop climate assessment and create action plans for pilot locations.

On Wednesday 23 September, the group visited the South Queensway Enviro21 Park - the first of a series of sustainable business parks being built in the Hastings/Bexhill area for environmental and technology firms. Four sets of business premises are to be completed there in early 2010, along with 'The Exchange' as a meeting and exhibition venue with a sustainable restaurant.

On Friday 25 September, Hastings Borough Council and Future Cities is running a one-day seminar at Azur on St Leonards seafront. Organisations from across the south east region have been invited to hear international experts discuss climate change adaption, including a keynote speech by Professor Sue Roaf of Heriot Watt University.

Helene Møgelhøj of Sea Space commented: "The problems arising from climate change face towns and cities right across Europe, so it makes perfect sense to work together to find solutions. The Future Cities team has come to Hastings to see what is being done for the environment here and to bring ideas from other places."

Anke Althoff, lead partner for Future Cities from Lippeverband, commented: "The effects of climate change are all around us and our urban areas simply have to adapt. Proactive strategies have to be found rather than doing nothing. Innovative ways to combine water systems, green structures and energy efficiency have to be elaborated in an interdisciplinary partnership. This is why Future Cities was formed, and we're learning a great deal from projects across Europe.

Our visit to Hastings is proving valuable. We were particularly interested to see the Enviro21 business park. It should spark environmental innovation in the area and enable businesses there to operate in an environmentally responsible manner."

For more information on the Future Cities project, see www.future-cities.eu

For more media information, contact Tariq Khwaja of TK Associates (www.tk-associates.com) on 01932 224 212 or tariq.khwaja@tk-associates.com

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