Adapting places to tackle the climate emergency

(5 June 2023) Scotland needs to adapt its buildings to tackle the climate emergency. Architecture and Design Scotland, Scotland’s design agency, is inviting built environment professionals to an online event on 7 June to learn how to create climate-friendly places by creating new, zero carbon buildings, as well as adapting existing buildings.

The Place Forum event will hear from those delivering our buildings and with case studies on the challenges and opportunities for developing climate-ready places. The Place Forum will be addressed by Patrick Harvie MSP, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights.

Speaking ahead of the event, Patrick Harvie, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights said: 

“I know that Architecture and Design Scotland has worked hard towards realising the potential of Scotland's built environment in a net zero economy, and this is an ambition the Scottish Government entirely shares. I am sure we’ll continue to work together to achieve it”.

Speaking ahead of the event Heather Claridge, Architecture and Design Scotland’s Director of Design and chair of the event, said: “The built environment has a significant impact on our climate and the topic of zero carbon places is a key concern for everyone who is involved in creating our places.”

“Our role is to promote the design of buildings and places that meet the needs of everyone in Scotland. That includes bringing people together to share the learning from practitioners and professionals who have experience of repurposing existing buildings and creating new net-zero buildings that benefit our places, communities, and our collective work to tackle the climate emergency.”

At the event, David Stewart, Scottish Land Commission, will present findings from a recently published report on town centre living, created in collaboration with Architecture and Design Scotland and Scottish Futures Trust.

This report highlights the benefits of town centre living, including the re-use of existing buildings, the potential for active travel and the possibility of delivering more homes at the heart of our communities. It also features a number of case studies from across Scotland.

Launched in early 2023, the aim of the Place Forum is to share experiences and learning related to place-based working. It brings together a diverse range of practitioners and decision-makers from all sectors and all parts of the country to discuss real-life examples of the Place Principle in action. 

The Place Principle was developed by the public and private sectors, the third sector and communities to help articulate a clear vision for Scotland’s places, to achieve a more joined-up approach to services, land, and buildings within a place.   

The first Place Forum took place in March 2023 on the topic of child poverty and place. 

Speakers at the event will include representatives from:  

• Scottish Government
• Smith Scott Mullan Associates
• John Gilbert Architects
• Civic Engineers
• JM Architects
• Scottish Land Commission
• Architecture and Design Scotland