Cliff has operated as a freelance consultant since 2004. He does research, authors reports and is a facilitator and trainer. While at Heriot-Watt University he was also involved in contract research.
He has worked on numerous projects:
- With Spatial Foresight GmbH (http://www.spatialforesight.eu/spatial-foresight.html ) to deliver research-based reports for the ESPON Co-ordination Unit on European territorial development and policy.
- With the Royal Town Planning Institute (www.rtpi.org.uk) to deliver the UK National Contact Point for the ESPON 2013 programme.
- As an external expert for the Royal Town Planning Institute on transnational projects within the ESPON 2013 programme.
- For the ESPON 2013 Co-ordination Unit as a peer reviewer on Sounding Boards for research projects.
- On European Union INTERREG projects.
- On other European projects.
- On Commonwealth, international and global projects.
- On UK projects.
Science and Urban Climate Change
A paper in a leading scientific journal calls for much greater engagement of scientists in urban policy and practice.
UK Launch of "Leading Change" book
A conference at the University of Birmingham on 22 March on "Planning Challenges in the Commonwealth" will be the venue for the UK launch of the book "Leading Change"
World Urban Forum 9
The ninth World Urban Forum opens on 7 February 2018, and I am here in Kuala Lumpur and will be reporting on it on this website and on other social media.
The Stern report 2006: an economic case for action on climate change
The Stern Report in 2006 seemed to signal a shift in attitudes to climate change. The article imagines a discussion between a Treasury mandarin and a businessman. Would this case convince Donald Trump or big business today?
Trump, planning and cities
The guest blog by Klaus Kunzmann reflecting on the likely impact of Trumps's victory prompted me to respond with some more ideas.
The deal on climate and what it should mean for planners
The international agreement reached in COP21 in Paris should provoke a wide ranging review of planning policies around the world.
Sweden sets out to become fossil-fuel free
Sweden has announced a big jump in spending (US$546 million) on renewable energy and climate change action in their 2016 budget, The aim is to become one of the world's first nations to end dependence on fossil fuels.
Planners Seizing the Day: The Healthy Cities Agenda from a Caribbean and Canadian perspective
Urban planners need like-minded allies wherever we can find them. Canadian planning consultant Michel Frojmovic, in this Guest Blog says that if the 2015 report on Health and Climate Change is any indication, public health professionals seem to feel the same way.
Cities of tomorrow - towers or tents?
Youth camp participants discussing Cities of Tomorrow
Young people from Germany, Norway, Latvia, Poland, Russia and Scotland attended last week’s international youth summer school in Benmore, Scotland. The event was put on by Planning Aid for Scotland and by Innovation Circle. The theme was “Cities of Tomorrow”.
Ring out the old, Ring in the new - A global review of 2012
I would like to award the prize for the best contribution to environmental sustainability for 2012 to Hurricane Sandy. Sandy single-handedly managed to convert more American citizens to the threats posed by climate change than any number of scientists, scientific publications or politicians. By dumping extreme weather on the US eastern seaboard, massively disrupting transport and business, and above all by providing great TV pictures, it made a strong case in many different ways.