Property & Development Magazine Issue 427 | Page 23
Education: University of Wales Trinity Saint David
working
closely
with
the
Welsh
Government which Jane believes is
important to maximise regeneration
projects’ opportunities. “This is right at
the core of the Welsh Government,
Swansea Council and the university’s
belief systems about the capacity of universities to be major catalysts for
knowledge economy and regeneration,”
says Jane. Key to this development is
the absolute commitment to collaboration as expressed by Jane, “This is a
major partnership model and in terms of
core values of the university, collaboration is the first of our core values. 21st
century universities must not be separate from the communities they are in.
They must bend their intellectual muscle as a force for local economic good”
The university is strongly backing
the planned creation of the proposed
Tidal Lagoon, a power plant constructed in Swansea Bay, on which a decision
by the UK Government is imminent. If
it goes ahead, it will be the first generating tidal initiative of its type in the
world.
By
supporting
a
natural
resource, it would help transform the
UK's future to low carbon with
order to deliver affordable, sustainable
“The core aspect
of sustainability in
construction is
aiming to make our
new buildings as
efficient as possible”
improved energy security and ulti-
development,” Jane says.
UWTSD also works closely with the
Design Commission for Wales in order
to deliver effective design review as the
Waterfront Innovation Quarter develops. It means monitoring delivery outcomes through each stage to ensure
they not only get the spaces they want,
but the buildings are sustainable,
adaptable, flexible, and deliver to per-
mately lower electricity costs over its
its strategic planning.. This commitment
formance. This also includes working
120 year life as well as providing
has led to UWTSD excelling in the sec-
with Construction Industry Training
regenerative economic and activity
tor’s Green Gown Awards, winning Best
Board and the Building Research
benefits to Swansea
Newcomer,
Establishment to capitalise collabora-
Leadership
and
Staff
The Swansea Waterfront Innovation
Champion categories in the 2015-16
Quarter will also include a new
awards, which are the most prestigious
tively on their expertise.
“Swansea is a hugely exciting place to
Construction Industry Training Board
recognition of sustainability excellence
be with all these potential develop-
(CITB) national training centre for the
within the tertiary education and envi-
ments,” Jane says “and what is particular-
construction industry in Wales. Jane
ronmental sectors.
ly exciting is the university’s vision about
says, “Working alongside the CITB and
“The core aspect of sustainability in
being part of the beating heart of change
the Building Research Establishment
construction is aiming to make our new
to transform the city”. Jane believes the
(BRE), we are also developing a new
buildings as efficient as possible
opportunity for universities to be cata-
school of architecture which will focus on
through passive means,” says Jane. This
lysts for regeneration is huge, adding, “If
all aspects of sustainable construction,
includes considering the positioning and
we transform our educational offer to
both in the context of what we do in the
orientation of buildings, the amount of
meet the needs of the region and its eco-
Swansea Waterfront Innovation Quarter
energy required, the selection of mate-
nomic ambitions, we not only transform
itself, but also about what we should
rials used in construction and using nat-
the lives of our citizens, we transform
teach about what needs to be done; how
ural resources in an efficient way. In
the lives of employers, we transform the
architecture needs to resp