GCU BEAM team looks to tackle climate-change issues

A research centre that aims to tackle climate-change issues affecting manmade structures and their surroundings has been launched by Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). 

The Built Environment and Asset Management (BEAM) Centre was officially launched at a special event at GCU’s Glasgow campus, with industry experts and stakeholders in attendance.

Projects already off the ground at the centre include the use of plant life to extract harmful substances from the soil of brownfield sites; ensuring NHS buildings perform as they should during their lifespan; and investigating whether or not the buildings of today are fit for the population of tomorrow.

Established through a philanthropic gift, the centre is headed up by Director Professor Rohinton Emmanuel and Deputy Director Professor Billy Hare, both Professors of Construction at GCU.

Professor Emmanuel said: “Research at the BEAM Centre focuses on global climate change and natural resource utilisation. Our vision is of an international multi-disciplinary centre of excellence to research the development, use and revitalisation of built assets, to protect the environment and to support the sustainable social and economic development of communities.”

Professor Hare said: “The centre has huge scope for study and bringing together academic expertise and knowledge with researching industry problems will lead to a successful partnership.”

GCU Honorary Professor and BEAM Research Centre Chairman Jim Cochrane said: “Given the amount of students GCU gives to the industries associated with this centre, it makes sense that this is the university that houses it.”

Photographed from left are: Professor Billy Hare, Professor Rohinton Emmanuel, Honorary Professor Jim Cochrane, GCU Foundation Director Jill Watt, NHS Director of Facilities Tom Steele, and Professor Cam Donaldson, GCU Pro-Vice Chancellor and Vice-Principal Research.