Section: Conferences & Exhibitions

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Conference Feedback

Developing 2020 Vision
Scottish Federation of Housing Associations: Development Conference,
5-6 December 2006

A briskly chilly but sunny day greeted the 120 delegates arriving at the Macdonald Marine Hotel in North Berwick, where the scene was set for one of the most outward looking conferences in recent years.

The distinctly Scandinavian flavour was evident not only due to the topics discussed at the event but also due to the attendance of some highly respected speakers. From Finland, Pasi Heiskanen, the Managing Director of the Finnish Housing Fair organisation, gave delegates an insight into the objectives of and rationale behind their hugely successful annual expo, as well as some examples of innovative developments that have arisen out of these events. This is a timely subject, since there are plans to hold a housing fair in the North of Scotland in 2009.

The backdrop of the Western Harbour Development in Malmo, Sweden, provided Eva Dalman, an architect at Malmo City Planning Office, with the subject for a fascinating look at how sustainable communities can be developed out of urban brownfield sites. Eva's experience gave delegates a fantastic opportunity to discuss the nuts and bolts of applying green strategies to urban regeneration.

The Danish input came via David Sim from Gehl Architects, in Copenhagen. A Scottish architect based in Scandinavia but working all over the world, David brought to the conference his extensive experience in delivering innovative sustainable projects. His easy and direct style won delegates over in no time.

The theme of the event was based around the thinking required in order to deliver the best quality, best designed, sustainable, and affordable house for 2020. Some of the aspects highlighted and discussed were planning, and how the rules and regulations should be supporting development of affordable housing; the use of renewable energies - what the options are and what their impacts could be; and design and construction methods.

Wide-ranging topics were, therefore, discussed. In a bid to illustrate some of the theory in practice, a highly informative trip was made to some innovative developments currently being undertaken by Berwickshire Housing Association (BHA). Delegates had the opportunity to take a look at Berwickshire's Home Energy Centre installation, in Eyemouth, the first domestic fuel cell on trial in the UK using hydrogen. A family house belonging to BHA provides the ideal 'live' domestic venue for this prototype hydrogen-powered fuel cell, which uses a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane and separates out hydrogen from natural gas to make heat and power. The fuel cell is expected to produce up to 100% of the heating requirements and 75% of the electricity needs of an average household, all year around.

Feedback from the conference has been positive and enthusiastic, with delegates commenting it was both "inspiring" and "the best conference of the last 10 years." So - here's to December 2007!


This feedback report was submitted by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations. If you have held a recent conference and would like a feedback report published, please contact us.

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Reporting on December 2006

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