The first SKCC study day took place on Wednesday 25^th October. Twenty four visitors took part in the day. These included researchers from the Universities of East Anglia, East London, Glasgow, Manchester, Salford, Sheffield, De Montfort University and University College London. As well as academic researchers there were a number of stakeholders from organisations such as English Heritage, the National Trust, CABE, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Stockport MBC, the architects Purcell, Miller and Tritton and BW Consulting.

The morning session involved a visit to Langworthy in Salford. Here visitors were introduced to the development of urban greenspace by Nigel Lawson of the Department of Geography at the University of Manchester. Visitors had the opportunity to observe the scheme to develop some of the 19^th century housing stock in the area by Urban Splash, the Manchester based Property Company. Professor John Handley and Nigel Lawson showed visitors how Manchester might cope with the threat of flooding along the river Irwell. The fact that disused mine shafts reach almost to the city centre and that there are many hidden streams under Manchester could problems of flooding and subsidence for many areas of the city. The morning session was rounded off by a visit to Salford Quays where the development has led to changes in the microclimate of the area.

Lunch was taken at the University and visitors had the chance to digest the information given to them during the morning and to discuss the research being carried out in the area with John and Nigel.

The afternoon session was spent at Stamford Brook, a housing development on the outskirts of Altrincham. The land was formerly part of the Dunham Massey Estate and has been sold for development by the National Trust, providing the funds for the upkeep of the rest of the estate. The housing has been designed to be efficient in its use of energy, water and building materials. Visitors had the opportunity to visit the estate with Catherine Prasad, the National Trust project officer, and a representative of Redrow Housing, the builders. The landscaping of the estate was emphasised and visitors saw how open space was used and the restoration of the brook reduced threat from flooding. Dr Jez Wingfield of Leeds Metropolitan University gave a presentation on the research being carried out at Stamford Brook on evaluating the impact of enhanced energy performance on the housing developments.

Our sincere thanks go to Professor John Handley and Nigel Lawson of Manchester University, Catherine Prasad of the National Trust and Redrow Housing and Dr Jez Wingfield of Leeds Metropolitan University for making the day so stimulating and thought provoking.