Those of you that have been eagerly awaiting the government's 'Sustainable Building Task Group' (SBTG) report are probably disappointed with the outcome. More hot air than hot ideas. I'm amazed at how hyped up it actually was but then again I guess we can put that down to government involvement and their ability to spin and excite. A number of contributors in this issue refer to this report but my feelings are, let's watch to see what develops. The likelihood is that we will get another new quango to tell us what we already know.
Moving on from the Sustainability Building Task Group, rumour has it that before the end of the year, all new buildings in London might have to be fitted with solar panels as a planning condition. Why do I find myself almost believing it? Two words - Ken Livingstone. Red Ken as he used to be called. Well, in my book, Ken has only made one bad decision, getting rid of the pigeons from Trafalgar Square (London will never be the same again). So let's just wait and see if London goes solar this autumn.
What a packed mag we have for you. Majoring on the subject of rainwater harvesting which coincides nicely with the launch of the new trade body for the industry, UKRHA, we've got three water related articles and some water news for you to enjoy reading. We missed getting a SUDs (sustainable urban drainage) article together so we shall have to revisit that one, perhaps later in the year. I've put pen to paper and written a piece on the Greenwich Millennium Village which I visited last September.
We are breaking the mould a little in this issue with a piece from Japan, which I'll have to admit, relies a little on our 'Building for a Future' title being used in its widest possible sense. However, I just couldn't resist the wonderful setting of this building and the eloquent text.

Keith Hall - editor.