Breaking Silos - What is people positive infrastructure? 

This latest article is part of the Breaking Silos series, a collaboration between ICE and CIWEM. In this piece, Early Careers Professionals Serena Gough (ICE) and Helena Du-Roe (CIWEM) explore how infrastructure can be used to deliver people positive environments.

(Pictured left; Serena Gough, pictured right; Helean Du-Roe)

The landscape of civil engineering in the UK is undergoing a significant transformation.

Traditionally focusing on just functional infrastructure, the emphasis is now on creating spaces that actively benefit people, developing a more vibrant and sustainable future for our communities. This prioritises human experience and well-being, moving beyond simply building structures to crafting spaces that enhance lives.

Active travel takes centre stage

One of the foundations of people-centric infrastructure is the promotion of active travel options, like walking, cycling, and micromobility solutions such as e-scooters. Imagine a city where dedicated lanes, separated from car traffic, weave throughout the landscape. Pedestrian crossings are prioritised, with ample time for safe passage. This not only encourages a healthy lifestyle by promoting physical activity, but also tackles urban congestion and air pollution.

For example, in certain Dutch cities a robust network of cycling infrastructure has resulted in a population that cycles more than it drives. This shift has demonstrably improved public health and reduced air pollution, creating a cleaner and more sustainable transport system.

Caption: Green bike lanes improve road safety and have wide-ranging health and climate benefits. Credit: UK Government Website

Collaboration beyond informing

The traditional model of simply informing the public about infrastructure projects is yielding to a more collaborative approach in the UK. Stakeholder engagement now involves residents, businesses, and community groups actively shaping the design process. This can take many forms: workshops where residents brainstorm ideas, surveys that gauge public needs, and open consultations where concerns are addressed.

For example, before the redesign of a waterfront area, through community engagement, residents might express a desire for a public piazza with green spaces for relaxation. And businesses might propose incorporating pop-up shops or cafes to create a vibrant atmosphere.

By actively listening to these voices, engineers can create infrastructure that caters to the specific needs and aspirations of the community it serves, encouraging a sense of ownership and pride.

Understanding user behaviour

Gone are the days when civil engineers relied solely on traffic flow models to predict user behaviour.

Today, they delve deeper, considering factors like pedestrian desire lines (the most natural paths people take), wayfinding clarity (how easily people navigate the space), and the creation of inviting public spaces. Imagine a park where clear signage helps visitors find their way, while strategically placed benches and plazas encourage social interaction. By understanding how people will interact with the infrastructure, engineers can design for intuitive movement, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Take, for example, the High Line in New York City (pictured at the top of the article). This elevated park, built on a historic freight rail line, incorporates seating areas, gardens, and art installations. By considering user behaviour, the designers transformed an industrial relic into a vibrant public space that encourages social interaction and community gathering.

Surface water management

One of the significant challenges in surface water management comes from the existing drainage networks, which struggle to handle increased surface water volumes due to urbanisation and the need to adapt to climate change. During intense storms, these drainage systems can become overwhelmed, negatively impacting development opportunities.

As urban areas undergo regeneration and the imperative to reduce flood risk gains recognition, local authorities are exploring the potential of retrofitting sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). These systems allow stakeholders to manage surface water and local flood risk in innovative ways, enhancing urban spaces and creating more liveable environments.

By integrating green infrastructure, intelligent urban design, and landscape features, cities can enhance resilience and provide a broader range of benefits compared to traditional drainage systems.

Collaborative efforts among drainage, highways, and urban realm/landscape teams are essential for effective solutions. Defra and Ofwat acknowledge the potential of retrofitting SuDS and encourage their adoption. Plus, retrofitting SuDS not only diverts rainfall from sewer networks but also transforms concrete and hard surfaces into green spaces, benefiting people and wildlife.

The benefits of SuDS

European cities have been grappling with increased flooding due to high urban densities and soil sealing. Soil sealing refers to changing the nature of the soil such that it behaves as an impermeable medium.

Traditionally, piped drainage systems were the go-to solution for managing excess rainwater. However, these single-objective designs struggle to keep up with ongoing urbanisation and climate change impacts. Enter SuDS, which focus on managing flood risk at the source. Unlike purely “grey” infrastructure, SuDS aim to slow down and reduce surface water runoff, minimising downstream flood risk and associated damages.

These nature-based solutions not only mitigate urban flooding and water pollution but also offer extra benefits and potential cost-effectiveness compared to traditional infrastructure. Challenges remain, but ongoing research, collaboration, and evidence-based approaches can help overcome social and political barriers to wider SuDS adoption.

Grey to green

The Grey to Green scheme in Sheffield is the UK’s largest retro-fit SuDS project and also the largest inner-city ‘Green Street’ (Figure 1).

Its purpose is to transform the Riverside Business District in Sheffield’s city centre, creating a more attractive environment for residents, workers, and investors. At the heart of the scheme lies the integration of SuDS. These systems absorb rainwater and return it to rivers in a way that mimics nature, reducing flood risk and helping cool the city during hot periods. The project has created 1.3 kilometres of new footpaths and cycleways, promoting active travel, fitness, and connectivity within the city (Figure 2).

Sheffield’s Grey to Green project has received environmental awards for its innovative approach and positive impact on the city. Beyond functionality, the Grey to Green project prioritises biodiversity and wellbeing by reducing tarmacked space, increasing biodiversity, and providing a calm refuge in the urban environment:

Figure 1 – Example of Change of Street Scene: Part of the Grey to Green Scheme

Source: Grey to Green

Figure 2 – Phasing Plan for Sheffield Grey to Green SuDS Scheme

Source: Grey to Green

Synergy is key

The true power of people-centric infrastructure lies in the synergy between these elements. When active travel options are safe and convenient, stakeholder views are heard and incorporated into the design, and user behaviour is anticipated. The resulting infrastructure therefore becomes more than just functional.

These elements need to be planned with climate change and the increasing requirement for sustainable water management in mind. This will allow our planet to continue to thrive and enhance the overall well-being of the community it serves.

This people-centric approach paves the way for a future where our towns and cities are not only healthier and more sustainable, but also vibrant places to live, work, and play.

Author(s):

• Serena Gough, Senior Urban Highways Engineer at Arcadis

• Helena Du-Roe, Senior Environmental Hydrologist at Enzygo