Property & Development Magazine Issue 427 | Page 23

Education: University of Wales Trinity Saint David

working

closely

with

the

Welsh

Government which Jane believes is
important to maximise regeneration
projects’ opportunities. “This is right at
the core of the Welsh Government,
Swansea Council and the university’s
belief systems about the capacity of universities to be major catalysts for
knowledge economy and regeneration,”
says Jane. Key to this development is
the absolute commitment to collaboration as expressed by Jane, “This is a
major partnership model and in terms of
core values of the university, collaboration is the first of our core values. 21st
century universities must not be separate from the communities they are in.
They must bend their intellectual muscle as a force for local economic good”
The university is strongly backing
the planned creation of the proposed
Tidal Lagoon, a power plant constructed in Swansea Bay, on which a decision
by the UK Government is imminent. If
it goes ahead, it will be the first generating tidal initiative of its type in the
world.

By

supporting

a

natural

resource, it would help transform the
UK's future to low carbon with

order to deliver affordable, sustainable

“The core aspect
of sustainability in
construction is
aiming to make our
new buildings as
efficient as possible”

improved energy security and ulti-

development,” Jane says.
UWTSD also works closely with the
Design Commission for Wales in order
to deliver effective design review as the
Waterfront Innovation Quarter develops. It means monitoring delivery outcomes through each stage to ensure
they not only get the spaces they want,
but the buildings are sustainable,
adaptable, flexible, and deliver to per-

mately lower electricity costs over its

its strategic planning.. This commitment

formance. This also includes working

120 year life as well as providing

has led to UWTSD excelling in the sec-

with Construction Industry Training

regenerative economic and activity

tor’s Green Gown Awards, winning Best

Board and the Building Research

benefits to Swansea

Newcomer,

Establishment to capitalise collabora-

Leadership

and

Staff

The Swansea Waterfront Innovation

Champion categories in the 2015-16

Quarter will also include a new

awards, which are the most prestigious

tively on their expertise.
“Swansea is a hugely exciting place to

Construction Industry Training Board

recognition of sustainability excellence

be with all these potential develop-

(CITB) national training centre for the

within the tertiary education and envi-

ments,” Jane says “and what is particular-

construction industry in Wales. Jane

ronmental sectors.

ly exciting is the university’s vision about

says, “Working alongside the CITB and

“The core aspect of sustainability in

being part of the beating heart of change

the Building Research Establishment

construction is aiming to make our new

to transform the city”. Jane believes the

(BRE), we are also developing a new

buildings as efficient as possible

opportunity for universities to be cata-

school of architecture which will focus on

through passive means,” says Jane. This

lysts for regeneration is huge, adding, “If

all aspects of sustainable construction,

includes considering the positioning and

we transform our educational offer to

both in the context of what we do in the

orientation of buildings, the amount of

meet the needs of the region and its eco-

Swansea Waterfront Innovation Quarter

energy required, the selection of mate-

nomic ambitions, we not only transform

itself, but also about what we should

rials used in construction and using nat-

the lives of our citizens, we transform

teach about what needs to be done; how

ural resources in an efficient way. In

the lives of employers, we transform the

architecture needs to resp