Sustainability is a global to local challenge requiring a unique co-operation of local knowledge with international expertise. The success of an economically viable, social well-being and environmentally beneficial masterplan is to develop with the whole team, stakeholders and local (and international) community a single sustainable vision which optimises the opportunities within Economic, Social and Environmental (ESE) development constraints whilst developing a coherent strategy for achieving the vision through innovative integration to be continuously assessed against realistic targets.

In developing an ESE vision and the means for achieving that vision as well as a means for assessing to what level that vision has been achieved by the Masterplan, Battle McCarthy would facilitate with other members of the design team, stakeholders and community in the following:

Stage 1 - ESE Sustainable Development Manual (SDM)

Stage 2 - ESE Sustainable Development Framework (SDF)

Stage 3 - ESE Sustainable Development Assessment (SDA)

Battle McCarthy would develop the SDM with the team through workshops to identifying individual and groups’ ESE targets as well as identifying development constraints from the independent ESE Environmental Impact Assessment and Health Impact Assessment Scoping Opinion and baseline surveys in accordance with UN Directive and Local Planning Policy and requirements.

Based upon an agreed SDM, Battle McCarthy would work with the design team in preparing a ‘one plan’ for delivering an ESE SDF in support of the masterplan.

Battle McCarthy would also carry out a SDA of the SDF for submission for planning consent as well as for financial investors.

During Stage 1 Inception Period, Battle McCarthy would develop with other members of the design team an ESE Sustainable Development Manual, which would cover methodology, sustainable targets, means for achieving those targets and assessment method. This manual would be updated during the design, construction and operation of the development as a working manual in time with progressive sustainable policies, technology and values.

During Stage 2 Battle McCarthy may be responsible for the preparation of the ESE SDF in support of the masterplan.

During Stage 3 Battle McCarthy’s SDA of the masterplan and supporting SDF would be submitted with the Planning Application covering a Sustainability Assessment Method checking the success of the Masterplan against the targets and Specific Building Assessment.

OVERCOMING THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES BY ACHIEVING MORE WITH LESS THROUGH INNOVATIVE INTEGRATION

 1. THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE. Potential developments must maintain their competitiveness in the face of intensifying international competition - for global practices and research establishments as well as for labour intensive plants and offices. The emergence of new global economic powerhouses such as China and India offer real opportunities to build on the existing concentrations of excellence by becoming more enterprising, innovative and skilled; equally they leave no room for complacency. We must invest in success if it is to be maintained.

2. SMART GROWTH. Higher levels of prosperity per head across a city without increasing the city’s ecological footprint can only be delivered through higher productivity and by bringing more of the resident population into economic activity. This can be achieved by focusing on the principles of smart growth, raising levels of enterprise, productivity and economic activity throughout the region. We will need to examine how the SDF for a development/masterplan may invest in potential to lift the prospects of underperforming surrounding, communities and individuals.

 3. SUSTAINABLE PROSPERITY. Long-term regional economic prosperity can only be secured through the principles of sustainable development. This means recognising that pursuing growth within environmental limits can create new opportunities for innovation and competitiveness. The SDF will form the delivery apparatus to invest in the quality of life that is a key source of the competitive advantage.