Centres and Institutes

The Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability

http://www.aces.ac.uk/



According to its site, the new Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability (ACES) will combine the strengths of three high-profile research institutions in the Aberdeen area - Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, the Macaulay Institute and the University of Aberdeen. The three partners propose to "bring together their expertise in land-use, ecology and socio-economics into interdisciplinary teams, aiming to resolve conflicting demands on the environment in a sustainable way". The site explains the rationale behind ACES, its intended research themes, and the anticipated benefits and next steps. Content is a little limited so far, but will inevitably grow as ACES takes shape. [GAS, 8 Jul 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: sus-100905-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Sustainability » Research
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Architecture Research Institute, Inc.

http://www.architect.org/institute/



The Architecture Research Institute promotes cross-disciplinary research in design and urban planning that informs public policies and strategies that create livable, compact, global cities that are eco-sustainable, walkable and less automobile dependent. The Institute implements its work by creating strategic and interdisciplinary partnerships between academia, practitioners, governments, corporations and the public. This site, hosted as part of the Architect.org portal, covers the mission, background and organisation of the Institute, together with a well-illustrated projects archive, membership information, and publications list. [GAS, 20 Jun 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: arc-010402-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Architecture » Research
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CAST - Centre for Alternative and Sustainable Transport

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/sciences/geography/cast/



Based at Staffordshire University, CAST describes itself as "the only research unit anywhere in the world wholly focussed on non-motorised, sustainable transport". The site is small but interesting, with basic information about the Centre, including people, projects and events; a resources section, including a list of publications and a conference archive; and a page of links to related sites. Overall, the site itself is very clearly organised, though some parts - such as the events listing - are very out of date. [GAS, 2 Oct 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: tra-170700-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Transport » Research
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Centre for Research in Environmental Appraisal and Management (CREAM)

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/cream/



CREAM is a research centre at the University of Newcastle (UK), spanning the Department of Agricultural Economics and Food Marketing (AEFM) and the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (APL). According to the site, "CREAM was set up to establish a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary approach to research evaluating the bio-physical, economic and social impacts of policies, plans, programmes and projects which affect the environment". The site has basic information about CREAM's research and staff, including a reasonably up-to-date list of research reports. [GAS, 13 Aug 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: sus-010701-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Sustainability » Research
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Centre for Urban and Regional Ecology (CURE)

--NEW URL-- http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/research/cure/



The Centre for Urban and Regional Ecology (CURE) was established within the Department of Planning and Landscape, University of Manchester, in 1999. Research at the Centre focuses on the organisation and activity of complex communities, both natural and human, in relation to the new academic agendas of regionalism, sustainability and the re-building of environmental capital. The small but well-designed site features staff profiles, a comprehensive research projects section (with downloadable documents), a publications listing, and a worthwhile section of related links. [GAS, 28 May 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: sus-010701-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Sustainability » Research
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Centre for Urban Development and Environmental Management (CUDEM)

http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/as/cudem/



Part of the School of the Built Environment at Leeds Metropolitan University, CUDEM was formed in 1989, with its origin in planning courses first run in Leeds seventy years ago. It provides "a dynamic interdisciplinary environment engaged in high quality academic inquiry and policy-related research", while "in recent years the knowledge base has diversified into an integrated set of courses and research programmes around spatial, environmental, governance and regeneration themes". The site is relatively small but well-designed, with sections covering CUDEM's research themes, seminars, staff (including informative bibliographies and publication lists), research students, and major research projects. [GAS, 7 Jul 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: pla-030904-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Planning » Research
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Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning (CALP)

http://www.calp.forestry.ubc.ca/




The Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning (CALP) is an informal group of researchers at the University of British Columbia in Canada specialising in landscape visualisation, environmental perception, public land management processes and sustainable landscapes. The colour-coded site is nicely designed and laid out with sections covering CALP's people, research (including downloadable publications), facilities, and a useful collection of related links. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 3 May 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: lan-140303-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Landscape » Research
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The Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen

http://www.macaulay.ac.uk/



The Macaulay Institute describes itself as "the UK's premier land use research institute", exploring aspects of changing landscape, soil conservation, water resources, understanding biodiversity, rural sustainability and climate change using a wide range of scientific disciplines. The Institute's site features extensive, illustrated information about each of its research areas and projects, together with media releases, useful resources and jobs. [GAS, 10 Sep 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: lan-100905-04
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Landscape » Research
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Metropolitan Design Center

http://www.designcenter.umn.edu/




Formerly known as the Design Center for American Urban Landscape, the Metropolitan Design Center (MDC) describes itself as "an endowed centre that investigates how design can be used to make the metropolitan landscape more livable and sustainable. It examines urban design across metropolitan areas through projects, research, and education. The Center's work involves collaborations with faculty, nonprofits, and civic groups in the areas of metropolitan development, metropolitan green space, housing and active and healthy cities". The site is a rich and interesting resource - it includes extensive background about the Center, an excellent projects section with lots of photographs and downloadable PDF material, and an impressive 'reference centre' - this includes links to research, educational materials and information at the Design Center and other organisations, as well as useful resources such as downloadable Design Center publications, links to sources for information and events, and a great range of 'livable community fact sheets'. On top of all this, the site also features a terrific Image Bank - this is a searchable, downloadable database of approximately 20,000 Design Center images of the metropolitan landscape, including many low-level oblique aerial photos, and focusing on the Twin Cities area of Minnesota where the Center is based. Overall, the amount of quality material available on this site is staggering - truly a first class resource. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 4 Apr 2007].



ENTRY NUMBER: urb-230805-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Urban Design » Research
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Sustainable Cities Research Institute

http://www.sustainable-cities.org.uk/




Based at Northumbria University, the Sustainable Cities Research Institute "aims to develop and promote sustainable approaches to urban living". The site is attractive and well laid-out, featuring information about the Institute (such as staff details and a policy statement), an up-to-date news section, and comprehensive details of current projects and forthcoming events. An excellent publications page includes links to the full text of most documents. The links section is also good, with particular focus on partners and projects, governmental sites, and research institutions. Many of the university research sites reviewed by Sapling are poorly maintained or lacking in real content, so it is refreshing to see a site which is obviously well-maintained and packed with really useful information. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 23 Aug 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: sus-241103-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Sustainability » Research
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TRL - Transport Research Laboratory

http://www.trl.co.uk/



Berkshire-based TRL describes itself as "an internationally recognised centre of excellence providing world class research, consultancy, advice and testing for all aspects of transport", and claims to be the largest centre for transport research in the UK. The site is slickly designed, and logically divided into sections which give overviews and project information relating to TRL's areas of work - including 'infrastructure', 'transportation', 'safety', 'environment', and 'developing world'. Up-to-date news, events and publications sections add further value. [GAS, 6 Jun 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: tra-140103-05
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Transport » Research
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University of Nottingham - School of the Built Environment

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sbe/



Nottingham's School of the Built Environment combines the Institutes of Architecture, Building Technology and Urban Planning with the newly created Institute of Sustainable Energy Technology (ISET); the School as a whole is described as a "leading centre for research and teaching with excellent facilities and a wide range of research programmes". The site features information about the School and its courses, plus details of news, events, staff and research, all within a neat - if slightly dry - interface. [GAS, 3 Jun 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: pla-220101-06
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Planning » Education
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University of Texas at Austin - School of Architecture

http://wnt.utexas.edu/architecture/



This redesigned site offers information on academic programmes at the UT-Austin School of Architecture - as well as architecture, these include historic preservation, sustainable design, architectural history, urban design, community and regional planning, interior design and landscape architecture. Other sections provide information about staff, events, resources, and a useful research and publications section, featuring the online journal Planning Forum. The design of the site is reasonably attractive, though many of the deeper pages are inconsistent in their format; furthermore, the frequent use of images as internal links (with no text alternatives) is poor in terms of accessibility. [GAS, 13 Mar 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: pla-020603-06
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Planning » Education
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