data Information Sheet 2/2007 – 12th January 2007

Project Management | Cost Management | Management Consulting | Legal Support | Specification Consulting | Engineering Services | Property Tax & Finance

1. London rents

As part of DTZ’s tenth annual Global Office Occupancy Costs (GOOCs) Survey, published this week, London’s West End has retained its position as the world’s most expensive office location. Hong Kong and Paris were second and third with London (City) ranked fourth. The survey was carried out across 131 business districts in 46 countries worldwide. www.dtz.com January 2007 2. The year ahead

A month by month overview of the major changes expected in the industry in 2007. Amongst them is the introduction of revised Construction (Design and Management) Regulations in April this year and the release of the ODA’s Olympic budget in their corporate plan and the detailed design for the stadium. New Civil Engineer 11-01-07 pp12-14 3. I can manage

An article that reviews what happens when a manager takes over a new post or division. According to the author, the taking charge process follows five predictable stages: taking hold, immersion, reshaping, consolidation and refinement all characterized by alternating periods of intense learning and then action. The study’s results remove the myth that an all-purpose general manager can be used in any situation. Harvard Business Review January 2007 pp104-117 The importance of networking as an essential activity for an ambitious manager. Defined as the creation of personal contacts to provide feedback support, insight and resources, the study identifies three distinct types. Operational networking facilitates work and will usually involve colleagues, personal networking enhances self advancement and strategic networking facilitates business goals. The latter is seen to be employed by those with natural leadership skills. Harvard Business Review January 2007 pp40-47

4. Breath of fresh air

British scientists have developed an air-purification technology that claims to offer protection against viruses such as MRSA and bird flu. When tested at government laboratories it was found to kill 99.9999% of a test virus in five minutes. The system is said to be the most important development in air quality engineering in the last 50 years. The Sunday Times Business 7-01-07 p.33

5. Leading the way

An award-winning project to redevelop a run down estate in the heart of Chicago has become an exemplary model for the future of sustainable, affordable and green urban planning. Renamed Park Boulevard the project replaces eight high-rise blocks, built in 1958, with mixed-income low-rise housing. The entire scheme was planned financed and constructed by private developers whilst being subject to a community consensus-building process. RICS Business January 2007 pp36-38

6. Heating up

A summit convened by the Home Builders Federation and attended by CABE, Ofgem, RICS and housing minister Yvette Cooper, amongst others, has resulted in immediate action for plans to review the future of local energy markets. Other issues raised were the establishment of a project database, new targets for green homes and a better definition of a zero carbon home. Building 12-01-07 p.13 A new environmental taskforce has been formed through the Confederation of British Industry. Members come from 17 of Britain’s largest companies such as Willie Walsh, British Airways chief executive and James Smith, chairman of Shell UK. Headed by BT chief executive Ben Verwaayen the team will take the Stern Report as their starting point. Financial Times 12-01-07 p.4

Information Sheet 2/2007 – 12th January 2007

For further information please contact - E: the.library@davislangdon.com Library T: 020 7061 7872 | Main Switchboard T: 020 7061 7000 | www.davislangdon.com

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7. People and companies

An interview with the new chief executive of Partnerships for Schools, Tim Byles, that looks at how the former local authority bureaucrat aims to lead the £45bn reconstruction of Britain’s secondary schools building stock. Building 12-01-07 pp32-34 Head of British Land, Stephen Hester, talks about his first two years at Britain’s second-biggest quoted property company and how the company’s move to modern offices will bring it in line with its new dynamic image. The Sunday Times 7-01-07 p.7

8. News in brief

• The Bank of England has shocked financial markets this week by raising interest rates a further quarter point to 5.25%, the third rise in six months. Financial Times 12-01-07 p.1

• Developer Westfield has submitted a detailed masterplan and environmental strategy for Stratford City, the regeneration project that will form a key part of East London’s Olympic legacy. Building 12-01-07 p.11

• Unions representing Britain’s nuclear industry workers have called for urgent government talks to discuss a shortfall in funding to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The Guardian 8-01-07 p.23

• The government has launched a drive to secure better value for the £3bn it currently spends on external management consultants every year, urging permanent secretaries to use civil service staff where possible. Financial Times 9-01-07 p.3

• Research carried out by a Chinese government environmental watchdog has warned that China’s fastest growing cities will not be able to cope with refuse production by 2020. The Guardian 10-01-07 p.17

9. Davis Langdon jobs

Britain’s first exhibition on the cold war opens next month in the purpose built, £12.3m RAF museum

in Cosford. Designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects the hangar-style building houses two Soviet Mig fighters beside three of Britain’s nuclear V-bombers. The Guardian 9-01-07 p.9 The National Waterfront Museum, Swansea has scooped a top Regeneration Award for the best design-led regeneration project in the UK. Designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects the museum was also officially handed an award from the Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA) for its architecture and design. www.swanseafutures.co.uk 5-12-06

…costs Davis Langdon Mott Green Wall review the latest available wireless technology for building management systems together with its potential application, benefits and cost. Building Services Journal January 2007 pp50-52

…people In Davis Langdon's latest feature on sustainability, Simon Rawlinson discusses how the business case for investment in sustainable offices is changing and examines appropriate sustainability strategies. The article also discusses how the gap between expected and actual sustainability performance can be closed through action during design, construction, commissioning and operation. A case study discusses how a tenant was able to introduce significant sustainability enhancements into an office scheme as part of a pre-let deal. Building 12-01-07 pp54-58 10. Information received

1. The Building Regulations Part B, Volume 1 –

Dwellinghouses. TSO. December 2006 2. The Building Regulations Part B, Volume 2 –

Buildings other than Dwellinghouses. TSO. December 2006