Innovation Project SLD2318
LIFE – Long-term Initiatives for Flood risk Environments (Stage 1)
Aim
To demonstrate the benefits of integrating a number of important environmental approaches within developments; such as sustainability, natural flood mitigation, zero carbon/zero waste in such a way the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. The long-term ambition of the project is to see these ideas implemented across the country.
This is a major project, which will be taken forward in 5 stages. The Innovation Fund will support the first stage which will develop set of generic principles for developing integrated environmental and long-term flood proof plans that are transferable to alternative sites and establish recommendations for follow on work.
Project Description
Context
Many new homes are planned in potential areas of flood risk, especially in the Thames Gateway. Every new development increases CO2 emissions and environmental damage, exacerbating long-term problems of flood risk and water shortage.
Recent government papers advocate an integrated approach to achieve a reduction in environmental impact and improved climate adaptability. What is an ‘integrated approach’? What needs to be ‘integrated’ and why? How does it work? What will it do? Were will it go? How much does it cost? What does it look like? This project will answer some of these questions.
Project
We will explore how to integrate natural flood mitigation with ecological development proposals across 3 sites in the UK while incorporating best practice spatial planning. We will then devise a set of principles and tools for applying this integrated design approach to other developments in the UK.
Expected Results
This work will lead to a radical change in the way developments are planned both in terms of the process and design. It will lead to a greater understanding of the issues and the obstacles to resolving them and more importantly it will set out a clear direction for achieving and implementing solutions.
Project Duration
15 months
Project Leader
Robert Barker, BACA, r.barker@baca.uk.com
Project Website
Page last modified: 10 January 2007
Page published: 4 January 2007