The changing role of household projections: exploring policy conflict and ambiguity in planning for housing

Household projections have been a critical tool in establishing top-down hierarchical frameworks through which planning systems impose new housing requirements on localities. This paper re-assesses the role of household projections in the context of two recent factors. The first is the emergence of increasingly localised spatial governance arrangements that enhance the scope to challenge household projections data. The second is the gradual emergence of the economy from recession and its impact on interpretation of household projections data. A case study of planning for housing in Wales explores the ambiguities and conflicts that arise as a result of these changes

Experiential learning in built environment education [Editorial]

This first edition of Transactions is concerned with a series of issues of increasing importance within the context of the modern university. These issues may be variously described as including work-based learning, experiential learning, placement experience, live projects or ‘real-world’ simulation. The increasingly complex vocabulary used to define what was once perhaps referred to simply as ‘industrial placement’, testifies to the prominence of such concerns. The collection of papers in this issue highlights the highly variable form and character of the different activities that fall under the umbrella term ‘experiential learning’. In the papers that follow, a broad interpretation of experiential learning is adopted that incorporates the sandwich year, multiple and short-term placements, research and travelling, and university-based project work sponsored by agencies and employers. The profile and relevance of experiential learning has been greatly enhanced by the Dearing Report and the Government White Paper on higher education. These documents reflect a wider, societal concern about the qualities of a university graduate. Renewed emphasis on the employability of graduates and their possession of sought after professional and transferable skills are changing the ways in which universities relate to their students. The Egan Review further confirms these trends

Best Practice Guidelines for Regional Development Strategies

The grids project GRIDS is an INTERREG IIIC project that is focused on developing a series of best practice guidelines for regional development and spatial planning. It is especially concerned with identifying and promoting good practice within some of the smaller countries of the European Union. Project partners are based in Ireland, Wales, Belgium, Latvia and Lithuania and include national, regional and local public administrations as well as academic institutions. The project has also attracted interest and involvement from government organisa- tions in Scotland and Estonia. The project has focused on exchanging experience between partners

Rural housing delivery in Wales: How effective is rural exception site policy?

In many rural areas of Wales there are particular issues facing local communities in seeking to increase the supply of affordable housing, as well as in terms of housing's role in supporting the longer-term sustainability of smaller rural settlements. Local planning policies are critical in this respect, but so is an understanding of issues around the economics of housing on rural exceptions sites and assessing development viability. Planning Policy Wales provides a means of identifying affordable housing exception sites, defined as small sites, located within or adjoining existing settlements, to provide affordable housing to meet local needs. These sites are ‘exceptions’ and would not otherwise be allocated in a development plan. Through a policy review of Local Development Plans, the use of a survey of Local Planning Authorities in Wales, a series of national stakeholder interviews, and documentary analysis of key case studies, this research explores how widely rural exception site policy is used across Wales, it’s effectiveness, variation in use and interpretation, as well as how similar policies are used in other parts of the UK. In doing so the research identifies best practice in the use of rural exception site policy and develops a series of recommendations for improvement

Physical separation techniques in water purification: an inquiry-based laboratory learning experience

This article outlines a structured investigative activity for students in lower secondary school. It was developed for the Australian Mathematics and Science Partnership Programme, a government initiative intended to promote the employment of more hands-on investigations in secondary science within Australian schools. The investigation focuses on water purification and is intended to develop conceptual knowledge of this topic and also high-level skills such as experimental design, particularly in relation to identifying and controlling variables. The investigation is outlined in detail and was trialed with practicing science teachers, school students and preservice secondary teachers. All of these groups provided feedback in various forms that indicated the investigation was valuable, relevant, interesting and allowed students to take some responsibility for their own inquiry learning