Urban Evolution: Our Future Cities
Presented by Mary-Ann Ochota
Presented by Mary-Ann Ochota
We must accelerate plans within cities if we are to advance net zero and deliver on the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and UN Global goals for Sustainable development. Global action network, World Green Building Council, is leading the transformation to resilient and decarbonised buildings for a healthy planet and a better future for all.
Approved by World Green Building Council.
Built in 1911, the Kodak Building was one of London’s first purpose-built, open-plan office blocks. Over a hundred years later, Clearbell has retrofitted the Grade II listed building, bringing it up to modern standards through a sustainable design, whilst embracing its heritage.
A business park off junction 8 of the M20 in Kent is not the first place you’d expect to see greenery and open spaces. Nevertheless LOC8, owned by Clearbell, is one of the most biodiverse and energy efficient industrial estates in the country.
Ensuring environmental excellence whilst driving urban innovation is a key challenge for our future cities. Expo City Dubai takes a novel approach to integrated urban life. It strives to create a space where community living, commercial growth and sustainable innovation thrive alongside each other.
Modern methods of construction focus on off-site techniques resulting in increased efficiency and minimal disruption to the local community. Hadley Group have been providing steel construction solutions for 60 years, with a focus on innovation and sustainable practices.
Developers are increasingly focused on building with sustainability in mind. HRP Group is transforming a former refinery in Philadelphia into The Bellwether District, a revitalised site with thriving innovation facilities that promotes environmental sustainability and generates economic benefits to the local community.
Once reliant on fossil fuels, Great Britain now has one of the fastest decarbonising grids in the G7, with ambitions to go further and faster. On October 1 2024, the privately owned Electricity System Operator became the National Energy System Operator, an independent, public corporation owned by the Government. It brings together the planning of the country’s electricity and gas networks for the first time. NESO is taking a whole system approach to energy, focusing on delivering clean, reliable and affordable power.
For cities to thrive, thought leadership and education must be high on the agenda. Smart Cities Council, a social impact organisation for smart cities, smart buildings and technologies, advocate to create positive and self-sustaining cities, through cross collaboration.
Approved by Smart Cities Council.
The built environment needs to represent a unified voice if it is to address the climate and nature crises. The UK Green Building Council is a membership-led network, transforming the sustainability of the built environment, so that ultimately people and nature thrive.
Approved by UK Breen Building Council.
Collaboration is key to delivering results and advocating change while decarbonising the built environment. UK100 is Britain's only cross-party network of local authority leaders committed to working together to achieve their ambitious climate and clean air goals.
Approved by UK100.
Presented by
Mary-Ann is a broadcaster and anthropologist presenting for networks such as the BBC, Channel 4, Discovery, National Geographic and Smithsonian. Trusted as a warm, informed and agile interviewer, Mary-Ann also writes and presents radio documentaries, is a podcast host and has also chaired public events and initiatives for museums. Mary-Ann has an MA in Archaeology & Anthropology from Cambridge University and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Each film included in this programme has been approved and complied by the brand associated with that content as identified in the descriptions above. Additional content has been approved by a featured organisation where indicated on this page.
