Welcome to the Winter edition of the MAG Newsletter

MAG have been involved in a wide range of activities in recent months. We would like to highlight some of these to you as we begin 2023.

Design for Planet

Design for Planet, was planned, as last year, to be linked with COP, at the beginning of November. The plans did change and the irony was not lost, as it went from a two-day event to be held in Newcastle, where one hundred of us were to facilitate discussions, with others joining on-line, to one-day in-person/one day on-line; to all on-line as the impact of the rail strikes and the determination not to revert to jumping in cars manifested itself.

As the sessions progressed, there were over 6,500 participants from all around the world engaged in discussion about the ways in which designers need to respond to Climate Change, whether as fashion designers, product designers or built environment professionals. There were moments of encouragement, highlighting progress since last year. But if COP26 was a rallying call, the message this time was one of implored action – more action, more impactful action in pursuit of Net Zero Carbon.

Simon McWhirter (UK Green Building Council), emphasised that our emissions need to be halved by 2030 for us to hit the net zero target by 2050. He also highlighted that ‘half the problem’ in the UK relates to existing buildings. It was in that context that the Irish Government’s investment of €8 billion to 2030 was striking as they seek to ensure that 500,000 homes become energy efficient. This emphasis on working with what already exists threw up repeated points of challenge around the lack of skills and the ability to scale-up. The recognition of the value of working with existing things, not just in the built environment sector, was underscored further by fashion designer Phoebe English in her talk about the challenges of driving the circular economy in that sector as well.

Lord Deben, the Chair of the Climate Change Committee also delivered an important message to us all. In his presentation he emphasised that in pursuit of Net Zero Carbon, we must not forget to design beautiful things and places, otherwise no-one will want them.

Issues of Climate Change and citizen wellbeing were consistently and rightly linked. We must provide for all and not actively or inadvertently cause disadvantage, particularly to those who are most vulnerable.

The closing speaker was the American Architect, William McDonough. He was genuinely inspirational, and the video of his talk below is heartily recommended.

Some points to reflect on were to prefix the usual trilogy of ‘Reduce, Re-use, Recycle’ with ‘Refuse’. We are challenged to not do things that are damaging – obvious, but profound. Projects needn’t just be ‘net zero’, they can make a positive impact, such as the Mars Space Station for NASA which produces more green energy than it requires and use of technology to actively remove carbon from the atmosphere. The point was made, ‘Nature doesn’t have a design problem – we do!’

Caption: Downpatrick Living High Streets Initiative - Workshop 1

MAG Living High Streets Craft Kit

MAG’s Expert Advisor Justine Daly has been delivering virtual briefing sessions to all Northern Ireland Councils to promote the MAG Living High Streets Craft Kit in terms of the approach and the potential to use the Craft Kit. Representatives of the relevant areas for DfC Regeneration have also been attending these presentations and contributing to the discussions. Council attendees have included representatives from: Regeneration and Business Development, Economic Development, City Deal, Business Support, Enterprise & Employment, Planning, Community and Wellbeing, Environment & Place, Capital Projects, Culture Services, Parks, Estates and Property, Strategic Development and Tourism. These briefing sessions have been well received by the councils and have resulted in further engagement with MAG on various projects. 

DfC Regeneration selected Downpatrick to pilot the use of the Craft Kit based on agreed criteria. MAG are acting as mentors, providing guidance and advice and leading the Workshops as placemaking facilitators, for the Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group. The Downpatrick Living High Street Initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with DfC Regeneration and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. The Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group (DRWG) is made up of local businesses and stakeholders, councillors along with DfC Regeneration and council representatives. They launched the Downpatrick Living High Streets Initiative in November. The first workshop was held on 13 December 2022 with the second workshop held on 17 January 2023 with future workshops in February and March. Below is a news story from the Local Down News newspaper about the pilot.

Belfast City Deal Projects Support

MAG is supporting the Belfast City Deal projects across Northern Ireland by engagement with the Tourism and Regeneration Advisory Board (TRAB). Sam Tyler, MAG Member, attends reporting meetings and has presented on MAG design review services, design reviews and governance, sustainability, and approaches to project carbon assessments.  He has also supported development of TRAB narratives around the built environment, sustainability, and social impact.  The Belfast City Deal projects offer exciting opportunities for Northern Ireland to expand tourism, support local regeneration and invest in a high quality built environment. 

MAG Climate Working Group

As 2023 begins, MAG feels it is vital to continue to stress and support the importance of the built environment as a key economic driver and the role it plays in promoting a sustainable regional economy. MAG’s approach to all our work is underpinned by the three key principles we strive to balance as citizens and professionals – sustainability and our response to the climate emergency, our well-being and the economy.

We know the built environment can play a crucial role in helping to foster a sense of pride, identity and emotional attachment to places, whilst also supporting the long-term economic prosperity and resilience of local and regional communities. By investing in our infrastructure, we invest in our communities and build a sustainable future.

However, we all know that climate change is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges that we are facing, with increased carbon emissions leading to severe impact on our environment and societies. This is why net-zero carbon targets must be at the heart of decision making in 2023 and every year in the future. A good example of the ambition required is set out in this sector led proposal for action and connected thinking titled Accelerating the UK tertiary education sector towards net zero

With that in mind, MAG has established a working group, drawn from its Members and Expert Advisors, to set MAG priorities for targeted, achievable actions to address the effects of climate change. MAG’s hope is that, when the NI Executive is back up and running, it will use public spending to decarbonise our society, make net-zero targets a top priority, enact climate-friendly approaches to procurement as official policy, and acknowledge the value of the built environment in promoting a sustainable regional economy.

We want, and need, a future that is healthy and sustainable and will in turn enable us to attract people to live, work and invest in Northern Ireland.

If you wish to find out more about MAG or its Climate Change working group, please contact us at magsecretariat@communities-ni.gov.uk. Further information about MAG and its work is also available on the MAG Website.

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