WALES MUST HAVE HI-TECH BOOST - page 1Date added: 01/06/2000

A lack of modern hi-tech buildings could cause Wales's economy to falter
says Robert Chapman

A recent survey by Robert Chapman & Company revealed that industrialists perceive that there is a "pathetic" shortage of good quality, modern hi-tech buildings in South Wales.

Many of the 150 companies surveyed commented on the shortage of modern hi-tech buildings in South Wales and 76 per cent stated that they would prefer to be in a building under five years old; 62 per cent said more industrial floor space should be developed by the WDA in South Wales.

But while the term hi-tech - applied to industrial buildings - was used by a number of respondents, it means different things to different people. Architects draw the distinction between those properties which provide high technology building solutions and those which merely look "hi-tech" because of the construction materials used.

Defining hi-tech should also take into account the sustainability of buildings, a concept featured heavily in the UK Environment White Paper 1990 and the National Assembly Draft National Plan. Sustainable development is about achieving economic growth while protecting and enhancing the environment. This approach does not exclude business development but rather guides it along a route of environmental protection and social responsibility.