thequietriot.com http://blog.thequietriot.com Sustainable design. Design has to be quiet, he said. It has to stop shouting. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:15:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc en hourly 1 Waiting for the bus stop of the future? http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/09/07/waiting-for-the-bus-stop-of-the-future/ http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/09/07/waiting-for-the-bus-stop-of-the-future/#comments Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:15:14 +0000 admin http://blog.thequietriot.com/?p=10 Buses, as part of the public transport network, provide an essential service to our communities. Bus stops are a key part of the infrastructure as they provide information and shelter. What will the bus stops of the future look like?

Proposed at a recent public design contest for the autonomous government of Catalonia, this is a [...]]]> Buses, as part of the public transport network, provide an essential service to our communities. Bus stops are a key part of the infrastructure as they provide information and shelter. What will the bus stops of the future look like?

Proposed at a recent public design contest for the autonomous government of Catalonia, this is a fully integrated, modular concept for a bus stop employing a number of innovative materials, self-generating energy and effective communication. These bus stops are conceived for small communities and/ or rural areas providing shelter and information with a minimum of environmental impact, both in the use of materials as well as the contextual formal relation it establishes with its surroundings.

All materials employed follow strict standards as far as life cycle and environmental impact. Seating elements are made with recycled plastics, with an average lifespan of ten years, and designed to be easily disassembled. Seat supporting elements are made of composites of recycled concrete. Bus stop roof is a single VIDURSOLAR solar panel element, which generates sufficient energy to light up the structure at night.

The often grey and dark bus stops are a thing of the past. Future bus stops will be pleasant, light, well lit at night and low on energy consumption a the same time.

The industrial design project was developed by Novell-Puig Design in Barcelona and visual communication by Loop+ in Barcelona.

If you want to learn more about this project please contact Loop+ at www.loopplus.com.

VIDURSOLAR is a provider of solar solutions in Catalonia www.vidursolar.es .

This project was submitted by Loop+ in Barcelona. © 2009 all rights reserved.

]]> http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/09/07/waiting-for-the-bus-stop-of-the-future/feed/ 0 Integrate your drive – Zipcar London http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/09/07/integrate-your-drive-zipcar-london/ http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/09/07/integrate-your-drive-zipcar-london/#comments Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:53:35 +0000 admin http://blog.thequietriot.com/?p=6 How can we reduce congestion, emissions, our carbon footprint and retain finite natural resources? Are you a modern urban dweller who cares about his community and environment? Do you own a car or do you continue to aspire to the luxuries of modern personal transport? There is a solution: joining a car sharing club is [...]]]> How can we reduce congestion, emissions, our carbon footprint and retain finite natural resources? Are you a modern urban dweller who cares about his community and environment? Do you own a car or do you continue to aspire to the luxuries of modern personal transport? There is a solution: joining a car sharing club is a cool, affordable and environmental alternative to private car ownership.

Zipcar is the world?s largest and fastest growing car club with more than 250,000 members and 5,500 stylish vehicles located in dedicated branded bays across North America and in London for use by individuals, businesses and those on university campuses.

Top energy efficient and well designed models in the London-based fleet include the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid, 20% of the more than 200 cars, thereby ensuring members receive a sleek and low energy drive wherever they choose to go. Zipcar has been established in London for the past 19 months.

Paying out hefty wasteful sums of money just to drive is also a thing of the past. Rather than spend hundreds a month on car owner related costs, car sharing club members can simply join up for a small annual fee, then book and drive a car on demand at their leisure via the internet or their mobile phone 24/7, from £3.95 an hour or from £29 a day.

Zipcar?s easy-to-use leading edge technology and web-based reservation system make getting a car as easy as getting money from an ATM. Cars can be reserved any time from one minute to up to a year in advance, and each member’s proprietary Zipcard ensures that their reservation is secure.

Each Zipcar reservation includes assigned parking, maintenance, the London congestion charge, full MOT, insurance, fuel and gives 60 free miles. Zipcar members report saving around £450 a month on car related costs.

Furthermore, Zipcar is committed to improving the quality of urban life and is an integral part of the urban transportation mix, complementing means of public transport and healthy living options. More than 1.5 million Londoners now have access to a Zipcar within ten minutes walk.

Carlo Colajori, MD of independent Italian wine merchant, Tuttialia, said: ‘I started Tuttitalia deliveries by bicycle. I have first-hand experience of managing a green fleet of electric vehicles in London which influenced my thinking about how I can best travel around this city and service my broad network of customers.

‘I am passionate about creating the Tuttitalia brand, just as my customers are passionate and knowledgeable about fine wine. Zipcar green ethos and simplicity are key in helping me to achieve my environmental and business goals.’

According to a recent company survey, drivers who use Zipcar as an alternative to owning a car ultimately spend less time behind the wheel. In many cases members have surrendered ownership of their vehicles, or halted a purchasing decision. The survey also indicated that each Zipcar introduced into local communities takes more than 20 vehicles off the road decreasing congestion, emissions and parking demand. Since it began eight years ago, Zipcar has taken more than 100,000 vehicles off the roads.

Whether Zipcar is used in the city to collect groceries or friends just once a week or perhaps conduct out of town visits twice a month, it makes driving a low cost and sustainable alternative.

For more information please go to www.zipcar.co.uk

Many European and North American communities run car sharing schemes. If there is no Zipcar near you, you might find other offers.

And don?t forget, there is always the option to walk, cycle or to use public transport.

Text provided by Zipcar in London

]]> http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/09/07/integrate-your-drive-zipcar-london/feed/ 0 Making positive choices about food http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/09/07/making-positive-choices-about-food/ http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/09/07/making-positive-choices-about-food/#comments Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:46:07 +0000 admin http://blog.thequietriot.com/?p=3 Food is one of the most important aspects in our lives, we simply cannot live without food. Whilst there is a lack of food in many parts of the world and people die from starvation, in many developed societies food and overeating is causing huge problems. How can we find a balance?

Only 25% of [...]]]> Food is one of the most important aspects in our lives, we simply cannot live without food. Whilst there is a lack of food in many parts of the world and people die from starvation, in many developed societies food and overeating is causing huge problems. How can we find a balance?

Only 25% of young women are happy with their weight and 20% of young women diet either all the time or most the time. The cost of tackling obesity in the UK is estimated £10.7 billion per year, the number of people classed as ?obese? is set to rise to one in four by 2010 and an estimated 1.15 million men and women in the UK suffer from eating disorder.

Foundations, a charity based in London, offers a number of services and programmes designed for kids and teenagers with eating disorders. One of their most successful programmes is ‘positive choices’, a three step care programme.

The first step is aimed at identifying the underlying causes of being overweight, from simple bad habits to complex psychological issues. Body image and attitudes towards eating are discussed. The project team listens to the kids and gives them tools and motivation to make positive changes in their diet, exercise and attitudes to a healthy lifestyle.

The second stage is about sustainability. It addresses common psychological problems in improving eating behaviour. These include poor self-esteem and low body esteem, entrenched habits and negative self talk. After discussing their readiness to change the kids are shown ways to make achievable and sustainable lifestyle changes.

The third step is about helping others, giving back and creating positive role models. The kids are encouraged to maintain their progress and to share their positive experiences and learning with others. They learn to identify emotional eating and to develop alternative strategies to manage difficult situations.

If you are interested in the work of Foundations, you can find more information on www.foundationsuk.org.

To help families eat well, move more, live longer and be more sustainable the NHS in the UK recently launched the Change4Life campaign -  www.nhs.uk/Change4Life.

Text submitted by Foundations UK

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