DOCSLIB.ORG

Understanding Informa

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Understanding Informa UNDERSTANDING INFORMA UNDERSTANDING Annual Report and Financial 2014 Statements UNDERSTANDING INFORMA Annual Report and Financial Statements 2014 Whilst continuing to deliver STRATEGIC REPORT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS positive results, 2014 was a 2 About us 108 Independent auditor’s report 4 Chairman’s statement 112 Consolidated Income Statement year of Measured Change. 6 Highlights of the year 113 Consolidated Statement This report reviews those 8 Informa at a glance of Comprehensive Income 12 Group Chief Executive’s Review 114 Consolidated Statement changes and explains what 19 Business model of Changes in Equity Informa is and does today. 20 Understanding our Divisions 115 Consolidated Statement 23 Academic Publishing of Financial Position We outline the Group divisional 29 Business Intelligence 116 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement structure p8, Group strategy p12, 35 Global Exhibitions 117 Notes to the Consolidated and explain how our business 41 Knowledge & Networking Financial Statements model creates value p19. 47 Global Support 186 Company Balance Sheet 52 Business review 187 Notes to the Company We highlight how we measure 56 Financial review Financial Statements performance p60, manage 60 Key performance indicators 193 Five Year Summary 62 Principal risk factors risk p62 and celebrate talent 66 Corporate responsibility COMPANY INFORMATION and entrepreneurialism. 194 Legal notice GOVERNANCE 195 Shareholder information 70 Board of Directors 72 Advisers 73 Directors’ Report 78 Corporate Governance Statement 84 Nomination Committee Report 86 Audit Committee Report 90 Remuneration Report CONNECTION. INSIGHT. ADVANTAGE. Informa’s global portfolio of knowledge, event and information- based businesses connects people, providing unrivalled access to high quality, specialist intelligence and links across commercial, professional and academic communities. Our content and connectivity deliver insights, networks and competitive advantage, enabling individuals, organisations and communities to connect, work smarter and achieve their goals. ABOUT US WHO WE ARE WHAT WE DO Informa operates at the heart of the Knowledge Informa’s global portfolio of knowledge, event and and Information Economy. It is one of the world’s information-based businesses connects people, leading business intelligence, academic publishing, providing unrivalled access to high quality, knowledge and events businesses. With more than specialist intelligence and links across commercial, 6,500 employees globally, it has a presence in professional and academic communities. At a all major geographies, including North America, Group level we provide the stewardship, strategy South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and structure that enable these businesses to and Africa. focus on being the very best they can be. Our ACADEMIC PUBLISHING Division In BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE we offer publishes specialist academic books expert analysis of data and information and journals. We produce unique, that delivers unique insights to create trusted content by expert authors, competitive advantage. Across five core spreading knowledge and promoting industry sectors, we help our customers discovery globally. We aim to broaden identify new opportunities, understand thinking and advance understanding, and mitigate risk and make better providing academics and professionals decisions faster. with a platform to share ideas and realise their individual potential. p.29 p.23 2 Informa PLC Annual Report 2014 www.informa.com WHY INVEST? OUR STRATEGY Informa has strong Brands that are well positioned The 2014-2017 Growth Acceleration Plan is STRATEGIC REPORT in attractive markets, providing a framework for Informa’s strategy to accelerate growth and delivering consistent returns. Our business model improve the returns generated across all four is robust and highly cash generative, allowing Operating Divisions. It is referred to throughout us to balance organic investment with targeted this report and covers six key areas: acquisitions and the payment of dividends to Operating structure shareholders. This is reflected in the commitment Management model to grow annual dividends by a minimum of 2% per Portfolio management annum throughout the period of the 2014-2017 GOVERNANCE Acquisition strategy Growth Acceleration Plan. Investment Funding STATEMENTS STATEMENTS FINANCIAL FINANCIAL In GLOBAL EXHIBITIONS we In KNOWLEDGE & NETWORKING, we connect Groups seeking to identify nurture, build and connect communities new contacts, develop relationships, through the exchange of insights and improve and expand their business. strategic thinking. We create platforms We bring communities together to online and through face-to-face events share information, gain inspiration that facilitate learning and networking, and secure new business, creating helping people build knowledge, work platforms for organisations to build smarter and become leaders in their field. profitable alliances, create value and drive commercial success. p.41 p.35 www.informa.com Annual Report 2014 Informa PLC 3 STRATEGIC REPORT CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT hen I introduced our last Annual Report, growth plan put in place by Stephen and his strengthened I marked my fifth year as your Non- management team. Executive Chairman by highlighting the Your new management team has successfully launched and W significant leadership change at Informa. begun to implement a new growth strategy, whilst maintaining Twelve months on, the “wind of change” a disciplined operational focus in our balanced portfolio of has been felt in almost every corner of businesses. This has resulted in strong performances in two the Company. of our four Operating Divisions, and renewed focus on growth This change has been led by Stephen A. Carter, who became and reorganisation at the two remaining business areas. your Group Chief Executive at the beginning of 2014. When Global Exhibitions was the highlight, as organic revenue Stephen was appointed, his mandate from the Board was and profits rose strongly in a healthy Exhibitions market. to manage the transition effectively and seek to position the This performance was enhanced by a number of targeted Group to ensure we are extracting full value from the attractive acquisitions, including the Division’s first major foray into the markets in which we operate. important US market. This helps to lift the annualised revenue I am pleased to report solid progress following an initial of Global Exhibitions to around £250m annually, reinforcing period of Measured Change, which led in mid-2014 to the its position as one of the leading Exhibition groups globally. announcement of the Growth Acceleration Plan. This plan, The Academic Publishing Division also performed well, which encapsulates the Group strategy through to 2017, delivering consistent organic growth in a benign budgetary is explained in detail within this Strategic Report, including environment. Its success is a testament to the strength of our reviews of each of our Operating Divisions. academic Brands and our differentiated approach to authors BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS and customers. Towards the end of the year, we transferred In the last financial year, basic earnings per share rose to 40.3p, our Medical Journals business from Business Intelligence and the Board recommended a final dividend of 12.9p, lifting to Academic Publishing. This will add valuable scale to our the total dividend per share by 2% to 19.3p (2013: 18.9p). This journal portfolio and generate cost savings, and should enable dividend reflects the Board’s confidence in the strategy and us to target the institutional market with its products much more effectively. 4 Informa PLC Annual Report 2014 www.informa.com The Business Intelligence and Knowledge & Networking Our Group has a wide array of talented individuals, and we will Divisions had a more difficult year. Some key end markets invest continually in developing and strengthening this most STRATEGIC and geographies remain challenging but we also recognised valuable of resources. In 2014, Tom Moloney was appointed to REPORT a need to make changes to the operating structure and focus the new post of Director of Talent & Transformation. Tom, the of these businesses. This is already under way, following the former Chief Executive of media group EMAP, has significant appointment of new Divisional Management Teams in 2014, experience in change management. His appointment reflects and I have confidence that we will see steady operational the importance we place on this aspect of the business. progress by both businesses through 2015. With people comes culture. At Informa, we believe our culture Your Board also supports the greater focus within our “fifth” is unique, reflecting the value we place on our staff and the Division, Global Support. This Division plays an increasingly freedom we provide them to innovate, develop and succeed. important role in generating value across the Group. Management GOVERNANCE This extends to our belief in a balanced and inclusive working worked hard to improve our Shared Services function in 2014, environment, where everyone has an equal opportunity to consolidating the number of geographic hubs operated by participate and flourish. For example, the latest Group statistics the Company and delivering back-office efficiencies. show that more than half of our employees are female (57% in STRATEGY – 2014–2017 GROWTH 2014 and 2013). ACCELERATION PLAN In terms of remuneration, the role of your Board Remuneration The Board welcomes the
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Genome Editing with CRISPR/Cas9 in Postnatal Mice Corrects PRKAG2 Cardiac Syndrome
    Cell Research (2016) 26:1099-1111. © 2016 IBCB, SIBS, CAS All rights reserved 1001-0602/16 $ 32.00 ORIGINAL ARTICLE www.nature.com/cr Genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9 in postnatal mice corrects PRKAG2 cardiac syndrome Chang Xie1, 2, *, Ya-Ping Zhang3, *, Lu Song2, *, Jie Luo1, Wei Qi2, Jialu Hu3, Danbo Lu3, Zhen Yang3, Jian Zhang2, Jian Xiao1, Bin Zhou4, Jiu-Lin Du5, Naihe Jing2, Yong Liu1, Yan Wang1, Bo-Liang Li2, Bao-Liang Song1, Yan Yan3 1Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; 2The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue-Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; 3Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; 4Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Nutritional Sci- ences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue-Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; 5Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Acade- my of Sciences, 320 Yue-Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China PRKAG2 cardiac syndrome is an autosomal dominant inherited disease resulted from mutations in the PRK- AG2 gene that encodes γ2 regulatory subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase. Affected patients usually develop ventricular tachyarrhythmia and experience progressive heart failure that is refractory to medical treatment and requires cardiac transplantation. In this study, we identify a H530R mutation in PRKAG2 from patients with famil- ial Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. By generating H530R PRKAG2 transgenic and knock-in mice, we show that both models recapitulate human symptoms including cardiac hypertrophy and glycogen storage, confirming that the H530R mutation is causally related to PRKAG2 cardiac syndrome.
    [Show full text]
  • 2015 Informa Investor Day
    2015 Informa Investor Day 18 November 2015 INTRODUCTION STEPHEN A. CARTER GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE 2015 Informa Investor Day Presentation Schedule • Introduction • Academic Publishing – Content Depth and Operating Efficiency • Global Exhibitions – Maximising the Growth Opportunity • Greenbuild – Overview & Tour • Lunch • Operational & Financial Update • Summary and Q&A THE JOURNEY SO FAR Stephen Carter appointed 2014 Investor Day Group CEO & launch of Disposal of Consumer Info. strategic review Review of strategic options for European Conferences Gareth Wright confirmed as Group FD, external appointment of BI and K&N Dwell acquisition FIME acquisition CEO’s 2013 2016 2014-2017 Growth Hanley Wood Disposal of Acceleration Plan Exhibitions acquisition Scandinavian announced and placing Conferences New operating Virgo acquisition Orlando Megacon Disposal of Dutch structure announced acquisition Conferences INFORMA GROUP INVESTOR DAY NOVEMBER 2015 4 2014-2017 GROWTH ACCELERATION PLAN FRAMEWORK Growth Acceleration Plan GAP GAP GAP GAP GAP GAP Operating Management Portfolio Acquisition Investment Funding Structure Model Management Strategy • 4 Operating Divisions • EMT established • Consumer Info disposal • Hanley Wood Exhib. • £70-90m programme • Renegotiated RCF • Global Support • Divisional SMTs • InsuranceIQ disposal • Virgo • 30-40 projects • $250m PPP issue • Medical Journals transfer • GE succession • Chinese Pharma closure • Orlando Megacon • 21 projects underway • Group Treasurer • WPA and Learning transfer • 3 yr business plans • Closure
    [Show full text]
  • Ascential Secure
    Ascential Secure Enhanced Health & Safety Standards at Ascential’s Events in a Post-COVID-19 World 1 ​ About Ascential Secure Ascential Secure is our approach to enhanced health and safety standards at our events following COVID-19. From exhibitors to sponsors, speakers, visitors and journalists, those who come to our events do so to gain the information, insights, connections, data and digital tools that they need, effectively and safely. The standards and practices that make up Ascential Secure are designed to provide confidence that at every Ascential event, we are striving to provide the highest standards of safety, hygiene, cleanliness and quality. Whether they are exhibitors, attendees, visitors, speakers or sponsors, people come to events to connect, learn, know more and do more business, effectively, safely and with confidence. Ascential Secure is based on a set of event industry standards, called AllSecure. The AllSecure industry standards were developed collaboratively by a group including industry associations UFI, AEO and SISO, event organisers Informa, Reed Exhibitions and Clarion, a range of event venues, suppliers and with input from health, government and local authorities. Ascential Secure is the way these industry-wide AllSecure standards are being applied to Ascential live events. You can expect to see that health and safety continues to be a priority, and that a range of measures are in place to ensure everyone involved is able to enjoy a safe, hygienic, productive and high-quality organised event experience. As a starting point, Ascential Secure events will be run according to the guidance of the government or official local authority for that location, and according to any venue-specific regulations.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2020
    In pursuit of progress since Annual report 2020 report Annual Annual report 2020 In pursuit of progress since Annual report 2020 report Annual Annual report 2020 CONTENTS ANNUAL REPORT STRATEGIC REPORT 2 Five-year summary 3 Group overview 4 From the chairman 6 From the chief executive 8 From the editor 9 Business review: the year in detail 13 The Economist Educational Foundation 15 The Economist Group and environmental sustainability 17 Corporate governance: the Wates Principles, our Section 172(1) statement and our guiding principles REPORT AND ACCOUNTS GOVERNANCE 22 Directors 23 Executive team 24 Trustees, board committees 25 Directors’ report 28 Directors’ report on remuneration 31 Financial review CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 35 Independent auditor’s report to the members of The Economist Newspaper Limited 38 Consolidated income statement 39 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 40 Consolidated balance sheet 41 Consolidated statement of changes in equity 42 Consolidated cashflow statement 44 Notes to the consolidated financial statements COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 94 Company balance sheet 95 Company statement of changes in equity 96 Notes to the company financial statements NOTICES 108 Notice of annual general meeting 1 STRATEGIC REPORT Five-year summary 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 £m £m £m £m £m Income statement—continuing business* Revenue 326 333 329 303 282 Operating profit 31 31 38 43 47 Profit after taxation 21 25 28 39 37 Profit on sale of CQ-Roll Call, Inc - 43 - - - Profit on sale of Economist Complex - - - -
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2012
    BRINGING How we have performed KNOWLEDGE FIN ANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS • Record adjusted diluted EPS up 7.7% to 40.7p (2011: 37.8p), ahead of market expectations TO LIFE • Full year dividend increased by 10.1% – second interim dividend of 12.5p giving a total 2012 dividend of 18.5p (2011: 16.8p) Businesses, professionals and • Revenue broadly flat despite Robbins Gioia and European academics worldwide turn to Informa Conference disposals – £1.23bn (2011: £1.28bn) for unparalleled knowledge, up-to- • Adjusted operating profit up 4.0% to £349.7m the minute information and highly (2011: £336.2m); organic growth of 2.8% specialist skills and services. • Record adjusted operating margin of 28.4% (2011: 26.4%) Our ability to deliver high quality • Adjusted profit before tax of £317.4m up 7.3% (2011: £295.9m) knowledge and services through • Statutory profit after tax of £90.7m (2011: £74.3m) multiple channels, in dynamic and rapidly changing environments, • Strong cash generation – operating cash flow up 5.7% to £329.0m (2011: £311.2m) makes our offer unique and • Balance sheet strength maintained – net debt/EBITDA extremely valuable to individuals ratio of 2.1 times (2011: 2.1 times) and organisations. OPEAI R T ONAL HIGHLIGHTS • Proactive portfolio management drives significant Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended December 31 2012 improvement in the quality of Group earnings • Total product rationalisation reduced Group revenue by 2% • Investment in new products, geo-cloning and platform development • Acquisition of MMPI and Zephyr
    [Show full text]
  • Strategic Orientation Document for Malaria Vector Surveillance and Control in Latin America and the Caribbean
    Amazon Malaria Initiative/ Amazon Network for the Surveillance of Antimalarial Drug Resistance Strategic Orientation Document for Malaria Vector Surveillance and Control in Latin America and the Caribbean INICIATIVA AMAZÓNICA CONTRA LA MALARIA/ RED AMAZÓNICA DE VIGILANCIA DE LA RESISTENCIA A LOS ANTIMALÁRICOS Documento estratégico para la gestión del suministro y garantía de la calidad de los medicamentos e insumos para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la malaria Recommended Citation: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), and RTI. 2011. Strategic Orientation Document for Malaria Vector Surveillance and Control in La tin America and the Caribbean. Submitted to the U.S. Agency for International Development by the CDC and Links Media, LLC. Gaithersburg, MD. Available at http://www.usaidami.org/resources.shtml Amazon Malaria Initiative/ Amazon Network for the Surveillance of Antimalarial Drug Resistance TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Glossary / 5 2. Acronyms and abbreviations / 6 3. Objective / 7 4. Introduction / 9 5. Vector control / 11 5.1 Indoor residual spraying / 12 5.2 Insecticide-treated nets / 13 5.3 Source reduction / 14 5.4 Integrated vector management / 15 6. Vector surveillance / 17 6.1 Entomological surveillance / 18 6.2 Monitoring vector control operations / 22 6.3 Entomological indicators / 23 6.4 Operational indicators / 25 7. Monitoring plans per epidemiological strata / 29 7.1 Moderate to low-transmission settings / 29 7.2 Low to very low-transmission settings / 31 7.3 Settings with no active transmission but risk of transmission / 33 8. References / 35 9. Annexes / 39 Annex 1: Malaria vectors in the Americas / 39 Annex 2: WHO recommended insecticides for indoor residual spraying / 40 Annex 3: WHO recommended long-lasting insecticide-treated nets / 41 Strategic Orientation Document for Malaria Vector Surveillance and Control in Latin America and the Caribbean 3 About this document: This document was produced through the Amazon Malaria Initiative (AMI) and was financed by the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Ascential Our Investment Case
    INTRODUCTION TO ASCENTIAL OUR INVESTMENT CASE Clear long-term vision. Helping leading global brands connect with their customers in a data-driven world. Structural growth. Demand for information, data & analytics driven by growth of digital commerce. Market leaders. We are leaders, with a unique blend of specialisms, in the high growth areas in which we operate. Robust business model. High recurring and repeat revenue, with more than 50% revenues from digital subscription and platforms, across diverse global customer base. Attractive financial profile. Track record of high single digit revenue growth, strong margins and cash generation, supported by sound capital allocation. Introduction to Ascential 2 OUR CUSTOMER PROPOSITION Our information products and platforms support our customers to do three simple things… CREATE THE RIGHT MAXIMISE THE OPTIMISE DIGITAL PRODUCTS BRAND MARKETING COMMERCE IMPACT Know which products Know how to get Know how to execute the consumer wants maximum creativity with with excellence on the tomorrow. optimised media. winning platforms. 1. 2. 3. Introduction to Ascential 3 SEGMENTAL OVERVIEW –2019 Segment Revenue % Revenue1 Growth1 EBITDA2 Margin Business Model Advisory 10% Digital Subscriptions Product £86m 21% +8% £36m 42% & Platforms 90% Design Digital Subscriptions Advisory & Platforms 11% Marketing £136m 32% +9% £51m 37% 37% Events 52% Advisory 6% Digital Subscriptions & Sales - Platforms 94% Digital £90m 22% +21% £13m 15% Commerce Sales - Digital Subscriptions & Events Platforms 4% Non Digital £68m 16%
    [Show full text]
  • Informa 2018 Full Year Results Statement
    Informa LEI: 5493006VM2LKUPSEDU20 Press Release 7 March 2019 Informa PLC Results for 12 Months to 31 December 2018 2018: Combination & Creation 2019: Performance & Growth KEY FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS1 • Strong Revenue Growth: +3.7% underlying and +34.9% reported to £2,369.5m, including six months of UBM (2017: £1,756.8m) • Higher Adjusted Operating Profit: +2.3% underlying and +34.4% reported to £732.1m (2017: £544.9m) • Improved Statutory Operating Profit: £363.2m (2017: £344.7m) • Increased Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share: +7.0% to 49.2p (2017: 46.0p); Statutory EPS of 19.7p (2017: 37.6p), with prior year including non-cash credit from US tax reforms • Attractive Free Cash Flow: £503.2m and £600m+ including a full year of UBM (2017: £400.9m) • Robust Balance Sheet, in line with plan: Net debt/EBITDA1 at 2.9x (2017: 2.5x) • Enhanced Dividend: up 7.1% to 21.90p (2017: 20.45p) London: Informa (LSE: INF.L), the International Exhibitions, Events, Information Services and Scholarly Research Group, today published its financial results for the 12 months to 31 December 2018, reporting a further period of operational progress and improving financial performance. Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive, said: “In 2018, the Informa Group delivered a fifth consecutive year of improving growth, increasing adjusted profits, adjusted earnings per share, cashflow and dividends.” He added: “In 2019, our focus is on continuing Performance and Growth as we consolidate our market positions and further reduce complexity. This will enable
    [Show full text]
  • Global Business Information Specialist Informa’S Book Business Has More Than 55,000 Academic Advisers 26 Directors’ Report 27 and Business Titles
    Business Profile Business WHO WE ARE Business Profile 02 Annual Report & Financial Statements 2009 Our Business 03 Informa at a Glance 04 Academic Information 06 Professional & Commercial Information 08 Events & Training 10 Informa plc is a leading international provider of specialist information and services for the academic and scientific, professional and commercial business communities. Informa has some 150 offices in over 40 countries and employs approximately 8,000 staff around the world. Informa is the largest publicly-owned organiser of conferences and courses in the world with inThe Year The Year in Review 12 an output of around 8,000 events annually. Informa Financial Highlights 13 publishes over 2,100 subscription-based information Chairman’s Statement 14 services including academic journals, real-time news Chief Executive’s Review 16 Financial Review 19 R and structured databases of commercial intelligence. Board of Directors 24 eview Global Business Information Specialist Informa’s book business has more than 55,000 academic Advisers 26 Directors’ Report 27 and business titles. Corporate Governance Statement 38 Directors’ Remuneration Report 45 Corporate Responsibility 55 Financial Statements Financial Financial Statements 58 Independent Auditors’ Report – Group 59 Consolidated Income Statement 60 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 61 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 62 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 64 ”It was an extremely demanding year, Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 65 but one which
    [Show full text]
  • Delivering a Sustainable Expo
    DELIVERING A SUSTAINABLE EXPO Expo 2020 Dubai Sustainability Report 2018 “We pay the utmost care and attention to our environment for it is an integral part of the country, our history and our heritage. Our forefathers and our ancestors lived in this land and coexisted with its environment, on land and sea, and instinctively realised the need to preserve it.” LATE SHEIKH ZAYED BIN SULTAN AL NAHYAN Founder of the UAE “Protection of the environment and achievement of sustainable development in the UAE is a national duty; it has its own institutional structures, integrated legislature and advanced systems.” HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH KHALIFA BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN President of the United Arab Emirates “We are building a new reality for our people, a new future for our children, and a new model of development.” HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai “The civilised, advanced nation we seek to build and the sustainable development we are keen to achieve both require concerted efforts from all sectors of the community and from all public and private entities and organisations. They require consistent and harmonious work in order to achieve our goals and promote and underpin our nation’s status with its distinct role regionally and internationally.” HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMED BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces INTRODUCTION HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH AHMED BIN SAEED AL MAKTOUM President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority Chairman of the Expo Dubai 2020 Higher Committee It gives me great pleasure to introduce the first Expo 2020 Dubai Sustainability Report (2018) as we build up to the World Expo in 2020.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Nature of Cities: Urban Political Ecology
    In the Nature of Cities In the Nature of Cities engages with the long overdue task of re-inserting questions of nature and ecology into the urban debate. This path-breaking collection charts the terrain of urban political ecology, and untangles the economic, political, social and ecological processes that form contemporary urban landscapes. Written by key political ecology scholars, the essays in this book attest that the re- entry of the ecological agenda into urban theory is vital, both in terms of understanding contemporary urbanization processes, and of engaging in a meaningful environmental politics. The question of whose nature is, or becomes, urbanized, and the uneven power relations through which this socio-metabolic transformation takes place, are the central themes debated in this book. Foregrounding the socio-ecological activism that contests the dominant forms of urbanizing nature, the contributors endeavour to open up a research agenda and a political platform that sets pointers for democratizing the politics through which nature becomes urbanized and contemporary cities are produced as both enabling and disempowering dwelling spaces for humans and non-humans alike. Nik Heynen is Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Maria Kaika is Lecturer in Urban Geography at the University of Oxford, School of Geography and the Environment, and Fellow of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford. Erik Swyngedouw is Professor at the University of Oxford, School of Geography and the Environment, and Fellow of St. Peter’s College, Oxford. Questioning Cities Edited by Gary Bridge, University of Bristol, UK and Sophie Watson, The Open University, UK The Questioning Cities series brings together an unusual mix of urban scholars under the title.
    [Show full text]
  • Imageability and Intelligibility in 3D Game Environments Examining Experiential and Cultural Influence on the Design Process
    Imageability and Intelligibility in 3D Game Environments Examining Experiential and Cultural Influence on the Design Process by Alan Summers A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Central Lancashire June 2014 University of Central Lancashire Student Declaration I declare that while registered as a candidate for the research degree, I have not been a registered candidate or enrolled student for another award of the University or other academic or professional institution. I declare that no material contained in the thesis has been used in any other submission for an academic award and is solely my own work Signature of Candidate: Type of Award: Doctor of Philosophy School: Computing Engineering and Physical Sciences ii Abstract The games industry has developed online multiplayer three-dimensional game worlds that allow players from different geographical locations to engage in competitive and cooperative gameplay together. This has enabled players from different cultures to inhabit the same virtual game world, bypassing any geographical or cultural boundaries found in the real world. These 3D game worlds ask the player to use the basic principles of spatial awareness and movement from the real world, and are often virtual representations of real world environments. These spaces are designed for players from all nationalities to inhabit concurrently. There is now a need to determine design considerations for these multicultural multiplayer game worlds but any investigation must consider the historical evidence from the games industry of cultural differences in gameplay preferences. This thesis discusses the effect of cultural knowledge on the spatial design and interpretation of three-dimensional game environments that are based on real world affordances.
    [Show full text]