The OU has been involved in a number of projects in partnership with its local Milton Keynes Council – including the Low Carbon Living Programme, Open Space and Plugged in Places for low emission vehicles.
Plugged in Places
Plugged in Places is a £4.9m project commissioned by the Office of Low Emission Vehicles in February 2010 to develop an infrastructure for electric cars within Milton Keynes, which will be used as a template for other UK cities.
The OU’s partners in this project are the Milton Keynes Economy and Learning Partnership, Milton Keynes Council, Invest Milton Keynes, the South East England Development Agency and Cranfield University.
'Milton Keynes aims to be a pioneering city for low carbon living. We are lucky to have The Open University with its world class capabilities as an enthusiastic local partner in delivering our programme.' Geoff Snelson, Director of Strategy, Corporate Core, Milton Keynes Council
Professor Sally Dibb and Dr Helen Roby from the Business School’s Institute for Social Marketing are involved in the public engagement side of the project, looking at understanding knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and perceptions towards low carbon technologies and behaviours.
This project is part of an overall Low Carbon Living Agenda for Milton Keynes, which also encompasses buildings, energy and waste. The overall vision is to make Milton Keynes a national and international exemplar for low carbon living.