The project will demonstrate to different sectors how increased sustainability can be incorporated into new residential development. The project will incorporate several topics in order for this to be achieved including; developing a strategy on the increased use and development of micro-renewables and creating conditions for the adoption of sustainable technologies in the construction sector.

To build a sustainable society by increasing, spreading and applying knowledge and technologies for sustainable building and living. To address the problem posed by limited or non-existing technology transfer in the environment sector as a whole and on technologies for sustainable development in particular, providing a basis upon which spatial planning, economic development and sustainable development may be pursued.

Expected Outcomes

The experiences of applicants (Cambridgeshire, Malmö and Hamburg) in the projects currently being undertaken by them in the North Sea Region have led to the development of this proposal for the November Call 2005. It aims to build upon the platform already established in the areas of sustainable building (SmartLIFE), water (FLOWS), waste (Making Waste Work) and land (Urbal), and extend that platform to include a better understanding of energy issues through regional clustering with other projects in the Interreg North Sea Region Programme and initiating new actions, particularly in micro-generation. In Cambridgeshire, work has been on-going to establish the use of micro-renewables in the new settlements planned for the growth area and this work will be an important platform in the UK delivery plan. The consolidation of knowledge from existing projects will be the basis of a more substantial project proposal in the future budget and a more holistic approach to achieving sustainable communities in the North Sea Region.

Activities

Work Package One ? Knowledge and technology transfer A range of activities will be carried out to facilitate knowledge and technology transfer to achieve deliverable sustainable construction in this work package. 1A ? Support the UK-Sweden Prime Ministers? initiative in sustainable construction Use the SmartLIFE Centres and contacts with the Swedish partners to stimulate new UK-Swedish partnerships Carry out dissemination activities to promote and extend co-operation Monitor the success of the initiative 1B ? Production of a ?Guide to Sustainable Construction in the North Sea Region? 1C ? Database for preferable construction material and technological solutions Work Package Two ? Analysis of the supply chain for achieving sustainable construction and identification of barriers to success This work package will increase understanding of deliverability influences to mainstream such technologies, their economies of scale and identify supply chain blockages. 2A ? Regional co-operation networks will examine local supply chain influences and transnational opportunities in: ? East of England (Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire) ? Hamburg & region, Germany ? Öresund region and Baltic Sea Region Work Package Three ? Training, education and dissemination These activities will utilise the SmartLIFE centres in UK, Sweden and Germany with a view to their transition to Centres of Sustainable Construction by enhancing their work and extending their role as technology transfer centres. The purpose is to help to create the conditions required which will stimulate the lifestyle changes required to increase market penetration of renewable energies and sustainable drainage. 3A ? Increasing knowledge amongst consumers of options to reduce reliance on fossil fuels 3B ? Increasing knowledge and training trades people in fitting renewable energy sources and sustainable drainage 3C ? Influencing decision makers to increase the scale of sustainable construction in conjunction with the small-scale changes Work Package Four ? Network and studies for laying ground for future transnational co-operation These activities designed to consolidate partnerships, knowledge and co-operation in the area of sustainable construction will take place in: East of England (Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire) Hamburg & region, Germany Öresund region and Baltic Sea Region NB Activities that may take place outside the North Sea Region will either be funded from partners? resources, outside eligible expenditure, or permission requested from the Secretariat for eligibility depending on each event?s appropriateness. Work Package Five ?Communications activities A robust and transnational communications campaign will be carried out that will disseminate the project activities, promote the project partnership and the Interreg North Sea programme. These activities will include conferences, workshops and newsletters.

Reported Outcomes

WP1. The project continues supporting the UK-Sweden Prime Ministers' initiative in sustainable construction. Two advanced Swedish housing concepts (Skanska and EcoTech) have expressed a strong interest in closer working with the UK/Sweden initiative. As a part of the work package Production of a "Guide to Sustainable Construction in the North Sea Region" was produced a brochure called "Sustainable Living - ten years of experience". WP2. Structural design of study on the "Analysis of the Supply Chain for achieving sustainable construction & identification of barriers to success" was completed and research commenced. In addition, Competence Centre on Renewable Energy, a regional cooperation network, was extended by means of established link with all of Hamburg's universities. WP3. Organised seminars, exhibitions and guided tours are contributing to increasing knowledge amongst consumers of options to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. In addition, specialist seminars on innovative use of glass, pellets and wood chips contributed to increasing knowledge and training trades people in fitting renewable energy sources and sustainable drainage. The third part of the work package, influencing decision makers to increase the scale of sustainable construction in conjunction with the small-scale changes, resulted in seminars, conference and international symposium. WP4 proceeded with the activities within 3 partner regions designed to consolidate partnerships, knowledge and cooperation in the area of sustainable construction. WP5 continued to carry out transnational communication campaign that disseminated the project activities through conferences, seminars and symposium. Produced brochures and flyers contributed to the mentioned above activities.