Latest news with #planners
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Plan to build new motorway services area beside M27
Planners are being urged to approve a multi-million-pound proposal to build a new motorway services area on the M27. Welcome Break Group has submitted an outline application to transform more than 30 acres of farmland land next to junction 11 at Fareham. The huge scheme incudes several food and drink outlets and almost 550 parking spaces, plus a children's play area and a dog walking zone. A planning statement that accompanies the application cites the current shortage of facilities for drivers in the region. "The absence of roadside service provision means the nationally prescribed safety and welfare provision for motorway/trunk road users is not being met." Drivers on the M27 will be provided with a new motorway service area if the scheme is approved (Image: Newsquest) The statement says the proposed development would create about 276 jobs once it was fully operational. "A further 27-28 jobs are likely to be created or supported by indirect or induced expenditure - services bought-in to the application site, or spending outside the site by employees." Citing the potential benefits of the scheme it adds: "The application should be approved without delay." READ MORE: M27 speed cameras: New 50mph sped limit will last until the end of 2025 Welcome has chosen a site on the northern side of the motorway next to the eastbound carriageway, but says the service area would also be accessible by westbound traffic. The main building would deliver a raft of facilities including shops, toilets, and showers. A petrol station and a drive-thru coffee shop are also planned. An aerial view of the proposed site, which is next to junction 11 of the M27 near Fareham (Image: Welcome Break/Google Earth) A design and access statement says the scheme would help meet the safety and welfare needs of motorists using the M27 and connecting roads. "The proposal would provide multiple food and drink offers and parking and fuelling facilities for both light vehicles and HGVs. Importantly, it would also offer much needed EV charging infrastructure." Jobs would be created both during the construction and operational phases of the project. READ MORE: Developer aims to transform Windhover Roundabout site next to M27 The planned development includes more than 50 EV charging points, plus 16 parking spaces for caravans, 16 for motorcycles, and 53 for HGVs. The scheme would also deliver seven coach bays. Apart from an isolated property at Boarhunt Road, the nearest homes are said to be 320 metres away at Downend Road. If the application is approved by Fareham Borough Council, a more detailed proposal would also have to be given the green light before work could start.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Shops plan approved for former Normanton Road Gospel Hall
Plans to convert a former gospel hall in Derby into six shops have been given the go-ahead in a bid to "breathe new life" into the City Council has approved proposals to redevelop the Normanton Road Gospel Hall site, which has stood empty for more than four years, according to planning included with a planning application said the existing building had deteriorated over the past four years due to a lack of use and said the proposals would transform the site into a "modern, vibrant commercial space" and "enhance the economy activity" in the area. A report submitted to the council said: "The building is no longer actively serving its intended purpose, and its continued vacancy poses a risk of urban decay."The proposed conversion into six retail shops will breathe new life into the site, improve economic activity, and provide modern, accessible, and sustainable commercial spaces."
Skift
16-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
How Next-Gen Attendees are Reshaping Event Tech
Planners need to rethink how they use technology in every aspect of their meetings, or they risk losing the attention of the biggest percentage of their attendees — Millennials and Gen Zers. Planners are rethinking every aspect of meeting tech, from registration to reservations, apps to entertainment, with their younger attendees in mind. The evolution of these 7 technologies is transforming planners' jobs and their meetings. Registration Tech If there's anything that will turn off a younger attendee, it's a glitchy online registration system, or, once they arrive at the meeting, waiting in a long queue for no apparent reason. Improved registration technology has simplified the process. On site, self-registration or tablet tables allow staff to take on a more passive role as attendees sign themselves in. All that's needed is a fast badge-printing system and a single station for badge and material pick-up, such as lanyards and ribbons. This transforms registration from a painful experience into an opportunity to engage with other people and start the event on a positive note. Travel Booking It used to be considered a privilege by incentive winners to have their flights booked for them, concierge-style. Not so for the younger generations: They prefer to have a travel voucher they can use to book their flights on their own, on whichever app and airline they choose. They also want control of their reservations so they can extend their trips and work remotely in that beautiful incentive destination, rather than jetting straight home. Audience Polling The idea of a session where people are talked down to by the person on stage is a yawn for younger audiences. 'They don't want to see people like us talking to you. They actually want to be involved in the conversation,' Sherrif Karamat, CEO of PCMA and CEMA, told the audience at last year's Skift Meetings Forum. A growing number of events are using live polling to encourage audience participation. The key to successful polling is to form questions that will intrigue your attendees, make the instructions very clear so that your attendees know what they are supposed to do, and allow them enough time to think before voting. Commenting on the results creates a dialog between the speaker and the audience. In addition to encouraging participation, polling questions can help planners quickly understand how their content is resonating and make real-time adjustments. Facial Recognition Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are everywhere these days, including in conference rooms. Some are being used to recognize and track attendees (known as facial recognition), while others are analyzing the entire group to measure their engagement in the sessions. While there used to be more objections to this technology, it is generally accepted among younger attendees. However, it is still important to let people know ahead of time that you are using the technology, to ward off any liability from a privacy or security perspective. Gamification Younger generations have grown up with gaming consoles in their living rooms. Gamification activates the desire to achieve something and be recognized for it. It also touches on the need for 'status' among peers and gives attendees a new challenge. All of these are something younger attendees know well. So it's a natural to include gaming in meetings to get attendees to partake in activities they may not otherwise be inclined to do, like visiting a booth on the far end of an exhibit hall or connecting with new people they have not met before. Interactive Entertainment Younger attendees have also grown up in the world of immersive art events like Artechouse and Superblue, and even viewed the masters like Van Gogh and Monet electronically. Immersive experiences like Meow Wolf, which blends art, storytelling, and technology as visitors explore new worlds, have shaped their view of entertainment. Meetings can also wow attendees by using projection mapping, which transforms everyday objects like walls, buildings, and stages into dynamic, immersive displays. Whether it is subtle lighting effects or massive 3D video installations, projection mapping creates the same effect as these other immersive entertainment experiences — just at a meeting. AI A recent McKinsey survey found that Millennials are the most active generation of gen AI users. Some 62%t of employees aged 35 to 44 report high levels of expertise, compared with half of 18- to 24-year-old Gen Zers and 22% of Baby Boomers over 65. For Ginger Taylor, assistant director-leadership at Leadhership CORRECT Network for Women at Arc, AI is a kickstarter — the first step in her creative process. ChatGPT has become one of her go-to tools. 'I'm completely self-taught. I didn't take a course or follow a step-by-step manual. I just started using it, learned as I went, and I'm still learning. That's the beauty of it. 'I use ChatGPT to spark creativity, to help me think through challenges, and to kickstart the planning process,' she said. 'It helps me uncover angles I might not have considered on my own. 'For me, ChatGPT is part of the bigger process: strategy, research, innovation, creativity, and leadership. It doesn't replace the work, it enhances it.'
CTV News
16-07-2025
- CTV News
Planning a family summer getaway in the Laurentians
Ottawa Watch For families looking to plan a road trip not too far home we have a suggestion for you.
Khaleej Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi: Addressing the Lack of Climate-Friendly Education
A significant lack of education in urban sustainable planning is hindering effective and equitable development. This drawback manifests in various forms, including insufficient training for planners, a gap between research and implementation, limited public awareness and the neglect faced by developing countries. Addressing these deficiencies is crucial for creating sustainable, resilient and inclusive cities. However, as German physicist Albert Einstein stated, 'Today's problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them,' the critical challenge in the 21 st century is associated with the need for a stronger focus on the socio-cultural implications of infrastructure and the integration of design with sustainability goals. To begin with, urban planning must evolve from a reactive discipline to a proactive force, as urban land cover is expected to triple by 2030, and 1.024 billion new urban residents are anticipated. Cities risk becoming epicentres of inequality, environmental degradation and systemic failure. Since urban planners lack the specialized knowledge and skills to handle the complex challenges of sustainable development, it frequently leads to resistance to change and hinders the implementation of long-term solutions. Faced with uncertainties such as social equity considerations, economic volatility, migration and the integration of systems, experts claim that over 60 per cent of projects face risks and lasting growth. Don't neglect developing countries In many developing nations, over 40 per cent of urban residents live in informal settlements, making resilience planning even more challenging. This must be seen in the context that the majority of urban growth is happening in developing countries, yet their specific challenges are often overlooked. This includes factors like rapid population growth and limited resources. Therefore, cities in the Global South, where urbanization is fastest and infrastructure gaps are widest, must be concentrated on. Since the social and cultural impacts of implementing green infrastructure or renewable energy have not been fully explored, involving local communities in the planning and design process is crucial for ensuring the adoption of sustainable solutions. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are particularly relevant for developing countries because they address the root causes of poverty, inequality and environmental degradation. By aligning development plans, countries can leverage international support, mobilize resources and track progress towards an equitable future. The SDGs also provide a framework for international cooperation and collaboration to address challenges that disproportionately affect developing nations. While the goals offer guidelines for progress, countries face significant challenges in their implementation, including financial resources to invest in infrastructure, technologies and programs. Such issues need to be tackled urgently to remove existing inequalities. Focus on climate education Additionally, the disconnect between resources and research and academic knowledge on sustainable urban planning affects the entire system. Urban planning requires a multidisciplinary approach; however, educational programs and professional practices often remain unutilized and give adverse results. While some universities offer courses in sustainable development, the integration of urban planning principles into broader educational curricula is often lacking. The consequences lead to increased pollution, resource depletion and social inequalities. While stifling innovation, it prevents the adoption of new technologies and approaches, making it difficult for marginalized communities to access resources. Thus, investing in specialized training for urban planners and holding public awareness campaigns can impart knowledge on the issue. At the same time, encouraging collaboration between academic departments and professional fields can help decision-making and foster a holistic approach. It can f acilitate knowledge transfer and ensure that research findings are translated into practical solutions. A review of urban planning literature has revealed that less than 20 per cent of published research integrates sustainability, smart city frameworks and master planning in a unified discussion. Only three out of 10 global regions consistently apply these in their city master plans. Most focus on isolated themes without providing approaches and directions that are adaptable across diverse urban contexts. Undoubtedly, the fragmentation limits the scalability of successful initiatives and minimizes the development of universally applicable planning procedures. Curriculum in crisis The observation of postgraduate programs in urban planning across major universities indicates that less than 15 per cent offer degrees or concentrations in sustainable urban planning. In certain institutions, sustainability is treated as a peripheral theme rather than a core discipline. However, Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi offers a master's in urban planning and development with a focus on sustainability, but such programs are rare and highly competitive. (Over 1,500 applicants annually vie for limited spots). Similarly, the University of Birmingham in Dubai offers an MSc in Urban Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, integrating data science with sustainability. In contrast, several universities hold short-term certificate courses or elective modules that lack the depth required to prepare students for real-world challenges. The need is to encourage interdisciplinary studies that combine environmental science, urban policy, and socio-economic analysis. (Currently, less than 25 per cent of urban planning publications meet this criterion). Additionally, we must expand the curriculum and introduce full-fledged master's programs in these spheres. To bridge academia and practice, urban innovation hubs should be established to connect students, researchers and city officials. Such centres should introduce mitigation strategies, including optimal tree placement, to reduce urban heat as demonstrated in studies using Earth observation data. (The urban heat island effect alone contributes to major economic losses). Highly concerned with the present system, I intend to devise a course for post-graduates at the American University of Sharjah (which is actively engaged in addressing urban planning sustainability through its academic programs, research initiatives and campus operations), to make students battle-ready for facing the changing environmental screenplay. I believe that sustainable urban planning should not be an afterthought but a top priority in shaping the cities of tomorrow. As Australian author, Hugh White said, 'Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.' Therefore, creating a good plan will be a roadmap to show us the way to get there.
