“Don’t let environmental risks halt the growth of Smart Cities”

Landmark to address delegates at Cities Convention, 22-23 April 2015,

Altitude London in Millbank Tower

As ‘City Growth Sponsor’ of the forthcoming Cities Convention, Landmark Information Group will be delivering a talk that reviews the role environmental due-diligence plays in supporting the growth of smarter, sustainable cities and infrastructure.

The Cities Convention, which is CPD-event hosted by BRE, invites delegates from local government, town planners, engineering firms, architectural practices and building services organisations, to address and debate a range of issues related to urban development and assesses ways in which cities can become smarter, more efficient and ‘greener’ using smart solutions, technology and data.

Chris Loaring, Commercial Manager for Argyll Environmental – a Landmark Information Group company – will be discussing the challenges of redeveloping brownfield sites. This will include how to identify, analyse and resolve potential land issues, from contaminated land and flood risk through to ground stability, to ensure potential risks do not halt the planned growth of smart cities or related infrastructure.

Comments Chris Loaring: “Managing environmental risk in property portfolios, or land assets, is a real challenge, particularly for established urban areas where new planning applications and development are more likely to centre on brownfield sites.   At Landmark, we have access to the most comprehensive environmental and property data in the UK, and as such, provide a range of risk assessment services to help those involved in managing urban growth uncover any environmental risks at the outset to appropriate steps, potentially leading to remediation, can take place to facilitate development.”

Adds Amanda Brackey, Head of Conference at BRE: “The aim of the Cities Convention is to unlock solutions that are available today to help shape and form the cities of the future.  By bringing together a diverse group of professionals, the event will help inform and provide examples of innovation and best practice, which are geared towards making cities smarter, more efficient and environmentally prosperous.”

As ‘City Growth Sponsor’ of the Cities Convention conference, Landmark Information Group, which is the UK’s leading supplier of digital mapping, property and environmental risk information, will be available to meet delegates and provide demonstrations of its environmental reporting, analysis and mapping solutions, and to showcase the breadth of Landmark’s national land and property ‘big data’ datasets.

For more information regarding the Cities Convention, visit www.citiesconvention.com

Landmark revolutionises Phase 1 environmental assessments with Envirocheck Analysis mobile app

·         New mobile app for Apple and Android devices enables full digitisation of Phase 1 environmental site assessments

·         Remote access to current maps, aerial photography and potential environmental risks now available whilst conducting a physical site walkover

·         Geo-locating technology can pinpoint specific site features and take accurate measurements

·         Synchronises information from site walkover back to the office, so no need to write- up notes

We are pleased to confirm the official launch of Envirocheck Analysis mobile app: a brand new mobile app for Apple and Android devices that enables environmental consultants and other land and property professionals to access digital mapping and environmental data whilst undertaking site walkovers for Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments.

Consultants can digitally analyse current and historical maps, aerial photography and environmental data on their PCs using Envirocheck Analysis,  and now using the free-to-download mobile app they can view these complete workings (including mapping, photography, user-drawn features and environmental data analysis) whilst out onsite. 

Using built-in GPS and geo-locating technology, precise measurements are also recorded by the app, providing accurate reporting of key site features. The ability to synchronise this new information back to Envirocheck Analysis in the office, including digital notes, photos and videos captured on the mobile app, removes the need to manually collate and type up notes and is a real time-saver. 

One of the first clients to use the Envirocheck Analysis mobile app is Land Quality Management's Paul Nathanail, he comments: “In property transactions time is money. The Envirocheck Analysis mobile app represents a step-change in the way site walkover information is captured and transmitted back to the office. Interpretation and reporting can begin as soon as the visit is finished. Decisions can be made quicker; deals will happen and not be stalled.”

Mark Burnard, Senior Product Manager at Landmark Information Group, adds: “With Envirocheck Analysis and the new mobile app, we’re taking the environmental site assessment process from being a paper-based task to a fully digital process.  The app provides users with mapping, data, information-capture tools and unsurpassable connectivity immediately at their fingertips.  It digitises the entire data collection and analysis process for Phase 1 environmental site assessments, removing the need to manually write-up notes, measure site details or rekey data on returning to the office.  Now, all site walkover notes are instantly ‘synced’ back to the Envirocheck Analysis desktop, streamlining the reporting process for all involved.”

Concludes Mark Burnard: “The launch of the Envirocheck Analysis mobile app is an important step forward in delivering a truly mobile environmental analysis solution.  By having access to data, map layers and notes in one place, consultants can now complete a site walkover with just a smartphone in their hand.  It’s a huge time-saver, delivers enhanced accuracy and ultimately will help provide time, cost and efficiency savings for both our current customers and new ones too.”

For more information on Envirocheck Analysis and the Envirocheck Analysis mobile app, visit www.envirocheckanalysis.co.uk, telephone 0844 844 9952 or email customerservice@envirocheck.co.uk.   

Information Management: Taking on the Ebola Outbreak

Back in 2012, Landmark launched a partnership with the charity, MapAction, which maps life-saving information about disaster situations so aid agencies can target relief efforts effectively.

The partnership continues today and as well as being a nominated charity, members of the Landmark team volunteer their services when their specialist help is needed.  For almost a decade, Darren Connaghan, a GIS specialist at Argyll Environmental Ltd, which is part of Landmark Information Group, has played an active role with MapAction and has been deployed to support field teams in locations such as Kenya, Haiti and the Philippines.

His latest deployment has taken him to Africa, where he was part of the MapAction team in its role in managing data and information for the Ebola Operation Centre in Monrovia. 

As Darren explains, there is a dearth of information managers prepared to travel to the region and overall poor communication networks in the area, therefore the role MapAction plays in collating data across Liberia, ensures that everyone involved in the UN's Ebola response mission is up to date with the very latest, accurate information related to the aid programme:

Darren Connaghan

“The geographical scope of the Ebola outbreak is vast, covering three countries - Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea - and it has already claimed thousands of lives. MapAction's mapped situational analysis helps make the response as targeted and effective as possible, by bringing together, mapping and information management specialists to help coordinate the communications in one place.

In this particular deployment, we were asked by the UNDAC (UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination) team to fly to Liberia and support them with their information management and mapping needs. A team of three were initially deployed and I joined them in late September for a two week period, where I worked from the main Ebola Operation Centre in Monrovia. 

Working alongside government departments, national departments, military and NGOs, the centre is a hub where all the organisation of the response mission takes place.  We talk to all the aid agencies to find out what data they need, as well as work closely with the Liberian Institute of Statistics' GIS department and the US military to build a picture of what the mission looks like.

In Liberia, radio and telephone communications are generally poor as are the road networks so much of the information regarding what has been undertaken in individual locations was predominantly verbal.  This, by its very nature, is difficult to plot, manage and track and the overall accuracy of data diminishes as it gets passed from person to person, so cannot be fully relied on.

Instead, MapAction is able to coordinate the mapping of critical situational information so that all agencies involved have a clear understanding on what is happening in each and every location, at any time. 

"Aid in the wrong place is no aid at all"

“MapAction deployment model is based on self-sufficiency. We arrive with all equipment required such as laptop, printer, networking kit, paper and in some deployments, even a small generator as without power, we can't function for long.

I now have another four week deployment in Africa throughout November, during which time I will be working on extending the reach of information managers across the three affected countries advising on GIS, mapping and product strategy for UNMEER (IN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response).

As I see it, with the correct right level of information management in place, you avoid duplicating efforts, resources can be designated correctly, and everyone involved in the mission has a clear and current view on who is carrying out what actions and where, removing uncertainty.

This is also known as 3W (who, what and where)

Supporting MapAction enables me to utilise my GIS expertise in some of the most challenging emergencies that we face today in the world. I am proud to be supporting MapAction in this deployment and in doing my bit towards halting this deadly disease in its tracks."

http://www.mapaction.org/

Brownfield Gets The Green Light

With the Government issuing new guidance to councils regarding the use of Local Plans to safeguard against ‘urban sprawl’ on green areas surrounding towns and cities, we have seen a swathe of news related to the availability of brownfield sites that are prime (or already set) for future redevelopment.

The Homes and Communities Agency has said that councils will play a key role in highlighting appropriate brownfield land, and as such want to see permissions in place for homes on over 90% of suitable brownfield land by 2020. This could potentially create up to 200,000 new homes whilst at the same time also protect our green belt land.

According to a recent survey by property consultancy Daniel Watney, their data indicates that approximately 25,000 acres of brownfield land currently exists across the UK, which could be utilised for around 466,000 new homes.   This was based on 45% of council data, meaning that there could potentially be land for up to a million homes if all council land was taken into consideration.

We are already seeing industry land owners starting to take into account their land use, with National Grid pledging to free-up unused industrial land for redevelopment. 24 sites have already been earmarked for building, which includes removing disused gasometers. It is estimated that in the first 10 locations alone, approximately 7,000 properties could be developed across 84 acres of brownfield land.

Here at Landmark, we have seen this focus on brownfield growing over the past 18-months, as more and more organisations work together on identifying ways of remediating brownfield plots and rejuvenating them back into local communities.

Our environmental data and historical maps are able to provide a clear picture of exactly how the land has been used through the years, enabling thorough site assessments to be conducted so the correct remediation can take place prior to development.  

Recent enhancements to our Envirocheck Analysis tool give the ability to now see historical land use of a site overlaid with present hazards and environmental data.  This gives the ability to view potential sources, pathways and receptors together to gain a more comprehensive understanding of risk on a site and to execute a better phase 1 report. 

As such, brownfield land should not be feared for what might lie beneath the surface, but instead it is an opportunity for land that may have been affected by industrial or commercial usage in the past to be given a new lease of life, for future generations and communities.

Envirocheck Analysis - reveals the hidden secrets of an area or plot of land

Getting wet n’ wild with UKELA’s Wild Law

Landmark Information Group is an active supporter of a number of events and projects hosted by the UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA). The organisation works to improve understanding and awareness of environmental law, and to make the law work for a better environment.  One particular initiative is the UKELA’s focus on ‘Wild Law’, which aims to protect the globe’s animals, plants, rivers and ecosystems.

The concept of Wild Law proposes that we rethink our legal and political systems to stop environmental destruction. As such, Wild Law is a new system of legal thinking and practice that has the potential to turn the tide of environmental damage and enable new means of addressing the significant challenges we face.

One of our specialists, Simon Boyle, who is a leading and well respected environmental lawyer with Landmark Information Group, is the official Convenor of the UKELA’s Wild Law Group. Frequent meetings and events are arranged for those with an interest in the Wild Law initiative to discuss current topics, as well as receive legal updates related to such environmental concerns.

This year, successful events have included a visit to Scotland’s beautiful Isle of Arran, which took place over the weekend of 23-25 May. Delegates enjoyed wild discussions and long walks amidst glorious surroundings, as well as a boat trip to Lamlash Bay (Scotland's first 'No Take Zone'). The weekend focused on wildlife, wild land and marine protection on and around the Isle of Arran. This included Wild Law updates including news on legal protection for wild land in Scotland.

More recently, a follow-up event took place in London on 23 October, which saw the group attend a seminar at Herbert Smith Freehills' office near Spitalfields Market.

If you would like to find out more regarding the UKELA and the Wild Law initiative, click here: http://www.ukela.org/rte.asp?id=5

Delegates at the Isle of Arran event

Delegates visiting the Lamlash No Take Zone on the Isle of Arran 

Landmark’s new Envirocheck Analysis fully digitises Phase 1 desk studies

• Environmental consultants can now digitally access current and historic maps AND related environmental data to streamline the Phase 1 analysis process of Environmental Site Assessments 

• Removes the need to cross-reference separate printed reports containing historical maps, current maps, aerial photography and environmental data

• Significantly cuts assessment time, saving money, whilst also improving overall accuracy of historical map and environmental data analysis

We are today proud to announce the launch of a brand new edition of Envirocheck Analysis, which has been designed to fully digitise the desk study process of Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments, which are conducted for land and property developments.

The new Envirocheck Analysis enables Environmental Consultants to digitally analyse current and historical maps and aerial photography, in conjunction with environmental data. This means that from within a single online platform, professionals can now accurately assess environmental risk factors related to a piece of land, without the need to overlay printed maps, manually draw boundaries or search through rafts of printed reports for potential sources, pathways or receptors of contamination.

Early customer feedback on the new Envirocheck Analysis platform has suggested that the time it takes to conduct the data analysis process is reduced by at least 25%.

Commenting on the launch of the new Envirocheck Analysis, Richard Puttock, Partner of Peter Brett Associates LLP said: "Envirocheck Analysis is really changing the way that we conduct our Phase 1 Site Assessments. In the past, we have ordered our environmental data and historical map reports through Envirocheck and spent our time analysing PDF reports and even printing the documents out to have physical copies to work through. Since adopting Envirocheck Analysis, we are already saving significant amounts of time in analysing historical mapping, and the measuring and drawing tools provide a great level of accuracy, in much less time. 

Continues Richard Puttock: “We have been involved in the entire user testing phase for the new Envirocheck Analysis, and we can't wait to start using it for all our Phase 1 desk studies. With all of Envirocheck's environmental data layers being added into the application, we no longer have to spend so long identifying symbols on maps and relating ID numbers back to separate datasheet reports. Now we can visualise everything in Envirocheck Analysis, alongside current and historical mapping, and make an assessment on the potential risk in much less time. Ultimately, this allows us to complete the job more efficiently without comprising accuracy or quality, which helps us provide an even better service to our clients."

The key features of the new Envirocheck Analysis include:
• Overlay digital environmental data onto current or historical maps to determine potential contamination risks
• Instantly review information behind every dataset to understand what is being highlighted and the potential risks
• Decide how far away from the target site you want data displayed to by using the Distance Filter tool for every dataset
• Access a range of aerial photography plus drawing and measuring tools to mark-up Phase 1 assessments
• Draw Pins to instantly highlight historical land use or environmental concerns – each pin records a grid reference, plus the distance and direction from site using an accurate measuring tool
• Instantly Export these Pins (and their associated information) as a table, directly into environmental site assessment reports.
• View an instant summary of the number of potential risks via a handy ‘feature count’ tool
• Create instant photo snapshots of the site that can be exported to reports
• Saves hours per Phase 1 desk study on historical map and environmental data analysis

Mark Burnard, Senior Product Manager at Landmark Information Group, said: “Through extensive industry consultation, we've listened to what our customers want and are excited to today launch the new Envirocheck Analysis platform.  It enables consultants to be able to assess and analyse mapping and environmental data faster, with more accuracy and ultimately helps deliver detailed and highly accurate reports to clients, faster.  The aim is to remove the need for consultants to have to use light boxes, lots of paper, scale rules and sticky tape when analysing printed maps with environmental data: now this can be all done online.”

Concludes Mark Burnard: “The evolution of environmental reporting doesn't stop here. With the new Envirocheck Analysis platform fully digitising the historical map and environmental data analysis element of Phase 1 assessments, plans are already underway to integrate Site Walkovers into the online platform.  We have some more exciting developments coming very soon, which will integrate remote and mobile working. Watch this space for updates.”

Launch Promotion:
Envirocheck Analysis is available free of charge during August and September. For more information on Envirocheck Analysis, telephone 0844 844 9952 or email customerservice@envirocheck.co.uk.

Envirocheck Analysis - providing digital access to maps and environmental intelligence