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People Lifestyle and Sustainable Development in Coventry, UK

Application for International MBA, Question GIE Business School

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Proprietary and strictly confidential

Introduction: The question from IE

Question G:Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects behaviour that is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be improved?

► By comparison to Newcastle or Yokohama where I have lived, I believe the behaviour of the inhabitants of Coventry is not compatible with sustainable development.

► But are they able to? How easily can one “behave sustainably” in Coventry?

People’s lifestyle and attitude towards sustainability is driven by their environment.

How could we improve the city environment and thus the behaviour of its inhabitants?

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Proprietary and strictly confidential 3

Why did I choose this question?

My career path:► 9 years experience in the automotive industry► Strong interest in sustainable development

This is why I now work as a Programme Manager in a company specialised in batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles.

My lifestyle:► Moved to Coventry in October 2011► Day-to-day life strongly influenced by “sustainability”:

► Cyclist and public transport user, not a car owner► Volunteer in nature conservation programmes since 2006

I will focus in this presentation on one major aspect of sustainability: transports.

Coventry Background

People’s lifestyle and attitude towards sustainability is driven by their environment.


Coventry in the Past

Coventry is historically the motor city in the UK.► Birth city of Daimler, Triumph, Humber, Riley► Once home to a major Peugeot plant► Home to LTI, famous for its London Taxis► HQ of Jaguar Land Rover

This history heavily influences the present Coventry.


Coventry Now

City’s economy heavily hit by the 1980-1990 crisis:► Decline of automotive industry► Buildings and infrastructures dating back from 1960-1970s “Golden Age”.

As such, not a model of sustainable development:► Energy-inefficient buildings► City layout devised with cars first in mind► Public transport infrastructure very impractical for users.

Daily scene in the Ring Road View of the city centre and its 24 parking lots


Coventry City Current Layout

The city is surrounded by the “ring road”.

The train station is far from the centre

How can I access the city centre?

Ideas for Sustainable Development in Coventry

Which sustainable development fits the city?

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Focusing sustainable development

Due to the city limited resources, my proposal is to focus on a few priorities.► Circles of sustainability are widely used to identify the main areas of sustainability.

In which area could Coventry dramatically improve its sustainability?

Melbourne’s circles of sustainability http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circles_of_Sustainability

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circles_of_Sustainability


Which sustainable development for Coventry?

All this can happen only:► With political leadership & funds► With involvement of the community

3 areas of focus for Coventry:1. Using car experience: pole of excellence

for sustainable transport,2. Improving housing & other buildings3. Making city layout “sustainability-friendly”


Focus #1: A pole of Excellence for Sustainable Transport

Key resources arealready in Coventry

Academics+ numerous start-ups

on campuses

World-classCar

manufacturers

And examples prove sustainable ways are possible!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-18420557




Focus #2: Sustainable housing

Some data:► Housing accounts for 1/3 of energy

consumption.► 25% of households in Coventry suffer from fuel

poverty (people without enough resource to adequately warm their house).

The key equation:

In Coventry, focus on deprived suburbs:► Old social housings & terraced houses

Thermal images clearly highlights where the efforts should be concentrated.

Better house isolation= Less energy usage = Savings!


Focus #3: Existing efforts for a sustainable infrastructure

Current situation:► Many old buildings in the city centre► The ring road prevents access in the city centre other than by car.

Idea already under way: Re-develop the city-centre

Broad-Gate, the main city plaza, is now pedestrian only.No more cars, and the bus station is nearby.


Focus #3: Future efforts for a sustainable infrastructure

But the re-development is now going on in a different direction:

Likely outcome:► No solution to accessibility problem: the local population still cannot come.► No new local job created: there are already too many vacant shops!

Not a sustainable development. Shall we think again about this plan?

Further re-development plans include:► More shops► Brand-new 1,200 parking spaces


Focus #3: Sustainable infrastructure, more ideas.

Better idea for re-development: Re-think the access to the city centre

1. Idea #1: Make the city centre truly pedestrian / bicycle and bus friendly.Other cities have done it, and it is not that expensive.

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Cambridge Coventry

Cambridge and Coventry Opencycle mapsBlue and red lines are local and national cycle paths


Focus #3: Sustainable infrastructure, more ideas.

Better idea for re-development: Re-think the access to the city centre

2. Integrate the train station in the city centre with free buses in and out of the city centre circle.

3. Rather than shops, build affordable housings in the city centre.This will create activity, improve safety, and generate business for shops.

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Making it happen

Change political and people’s behaviours

Align major actors to move forward

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Nothing can happen without a strong political will:► To provide direction and focus► To gather public funds (city, government, EU)

What we need first: Political Will

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Question at the Coventry Council House

A more lively and attractive city centre:► Less crime► Properties have higher values► More housing tax

Fits with the 4 target sectors for job creation defined by the council:

► Advanced Engineering► Low Carbon Vehicles► Intelligent Transport Systems► Digital Technology

But why would we invest in this idea? Answer: because it is good for the council!


What we need also: Community Involvement

Community aware of benefits Community actively involved!⇒► A communication plan must be defined.

What message?► More fuel-efficient houses = cheaper energy bills.► Proud to have a more attractive city centre for everyone.► Prospect of job creations.

How?

► Educate children to sustainability in their local schools.► Educate grown-ups to sustainability: why not at the Coventry Transport Museum.► Educate people in deprived areas how to save money with sustainability.

Education!


Private sector funding:► Involve major companies: automotive, electricity…

For example, the RETA alliance is Coventry-based.► Secure funds for innovative start-ups via the UK

Technology Strategy Board.

Public sector funding:► Local, national and European

Lastly but most importantly, what we need is… funds!

With political will and community support, plans can be put forward to secure funds:


Conclusion

Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects behaviour that is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be improved?

Currently, the inhabitants of Coventry do not have a behaviour in line with the concept of sustainable development but they are able to!

► Already, the city centre is more pedestrian friendly.

However, further opportunities for improvement exist:► Sustainable public transport,► Sustainable energy-efficient housing,► Sustainable pedestrian-friendly city centre.

Through political will, community support and with funds, the city could dramatically improve the lifestyle of its inhabitants.


Resources and links

More resources:

► Coventry Partnership, Sustainable Community Strategy: http://www.coventrypartnership.com/scs

► Wikipedia, Circles of Sustainability: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circles_of_Sustainability

► RETA: http://www.reta.uk.com/

http://www.coventrypartnership.com/scs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circles_of_Sustainability

http://www.reta.uk.com/

http://www.reta.uk.com/