In recent years, analysing the carbon footprint of developments has become a common feature when assessing the potential demolition of buildings, particularly in light of the climate emergency.
It is widely recognised that if developers demolish and rebuild, it uses more carbon than if the developer were to renovate the building.
The Greater London Authority states that developers of major developments in London need to report on how much carbon cost will be associated with their building. In most instances, demolition is discouraged under the London Plan.
Despite the potential carbon cost, there can be valid reasons why developments require demolition, such as structural or design issues. It is also often more financially viable for the developer to demolish and rebuild, rather than to retrofit.
For London to meet the Mayor’s target of being net zero carbon by 2030, there is an urgent need to reduce emissions from building and construction – both the operational emissions and the embodied carbon.
For the second of a two-part meeting on retrofit vs rebuild, the London Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee will tomorrow explore how the carbon costs associated with retrofit vs rebuild, are weighed up with other factors like structural and design issues, financial viability, and heritage.
Guests include:
- Simon Sturgis, Founder, Targeting Net Zero
- Catherine Croft, Director, Twentieth Century Society (‘C20 Society’)
- Kerstin Kane, Principal Planning Officer (Sustainability), City of London Corporation
- Nicola Tulley, Planning Officer, London Borough of Camden
- Chris Brown, Managing Director, Climatise
- Dr Timur Tatlioglu, Partner in Historic Environment and Townscape, Montagu Evans
- Kirsty Draper, Head of Sustainability for UK Agency, JLL
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 22 March 2023 from 2pm in The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
Follow us @LondonAssembly.
Notes to editors
- The Committee meeting on 1 March focussed on the policies in the London Plan on carbon in buildings and the reuse and recycling of construction materials.
- Sakina Sheikh AM, Chair of the Planning and Regeneration Committee, is available for interviews.
- Find out more about the Planning and Regeneration Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Tony Smyth on 07510 488715. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.