Range Magazine

winter 2010

range4

water & maritime >> building & industry >> infrastructure & spatial development >> water & maritime >> building & industry >> infrastructure & spatial development

LOCKING DOWN THE LEVEESFive years after Hurricane Katrina

in this issue >>

visionary bridge

range interview dr ian selby, the crown estate

praising moray flood alleviations

special featurehurricane katrina five years on: locking down the levees

special featurehurricane katrina five years on: new hope in new orleans

first for cambridge SuDS

super sea defence

maritime success in qatar

Royal Haskoning is an independent international engineering and environmental consultancy. With 3,900 employees operating in 17 countries, we provide an extensive range of multi-disciplinary services relating to maritime, water and environment, infrastructure and buildings, industry and energy, and transport and development.

With a worldwide network of professionals and strong industry relationships established over two centuries, our expertise and experience is far reaching. Respected thought leaders within our market sectors, we are renowned for our technical excellence, developing, designing and delivering innovative and sustainable solutions, that transform ambitions into reality.

If you would like to feature in Range or comment on content, email [email protected]

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22in our opinionevolving sustainability

cradle to cradle® with suffolk county council

Are you tired of hearing how ‘good’ companies are about not doing anything ‘bad’ to the environment? Are you looking for a new approach to sustainability that explores every conceivable avenue for ways to do things better so they benefit everyone and everything connected to a development – adding real value all round? Then look no further.

This edition of Range marks our introduction of the Cradle to Cradle® philosophy to the UK, an inspiring concept Royal Haskoning has already adopted in the Netherlands. Cradle to Cradle® suggests human industry and development doesn’t have to be bad for society if designs mimic nature and actually aspire to being ‘good’ for us. Cradle to Cradle® gives Royal Haskoning a positive agenda we can apply to everything we do, using a model that can be incorporated into structural designs and leading to buildings with a low, or even a positive energy footprint. We believe the Cradle to Cradle® model can really benefit all UK industry sectors – and want to share its philosophy with you.

To commemorate five years on from hurricane Katrina, we provide an account of flood defence work nearing completion in New Orleans. We explore award winning flood alleviation in Scotland and a new SuDS design, as well as an innovative bridge design at a Cambridgeshire nature reserve that has created new habitats for rare species. We provide a valuable insight into the sustainable benefits of offshore aggregates – a plentiful natural resource used to create the foundations for some of our most iconic buildings and vital sea defences.

We are also extremely proud to share with you the inauguration of one of the world’s most impressive shipyards. Located 8km off Ras Laffan in the State of Qatar, its success is due to a culmination of commitment, effort and expertise.

Finally a big thank you to everyone who contributed to this exciting edition of Range which gives us the opportunity to view sustainability in a new light. In particular I thank Dr Ian Selby of The Crown Estate, for agreeing to be our special guest.

Steve Magenis, Business Development Director

STOP PRESS >> Weston-super-Mare Sea Defences Scour Protection Scheme Commended in 2010 Concrete Society Awards see page 20

FOREWORD STEVE MAGENIS >>

>> 2 >> 3range4 winter 2010 range4 winter 2010

Are you tired of hearing how ‘good’ companies are about not doing anything ‘bad’ to the environment? Are you looking for a new approach to sustainability that explores every conceivable avenue for ways to do things better so they benefit everyone and everything connected to a development – adding real value all round? Then look

This edition of Range marks our introduction of the Cradle to Cradle® philosophy to the UK, an inspiring concept Royal Haskoning has already adopted in the Netherlands. Cradle to Cradle® suggests human industry and development doesn’t have to be bad for society if designs mimic nature and actually aspire to being ‘good’ for us. Cradle to Cradle® gives Royal Haskoning a positive agenda we can apply to everything we do, using a model that can be incorporated into structural designs and leading to buildings with a low, or even a positive energy footprint. We believe the Cradle to Cradle® model can really benefit all UK industry sectors – and want to

To commemorate five years on from hurricane Katrina, we provide an account of flood defence work nearing completion in New Orleans. We explore award winning flood alleviation in Scotland and a new SuDS design, as well as an innovative bridge design at a Cambridgeshire nature reserve that has created new habitats for rare species. We provide a valuable insight into the sustainable benefits of offshore aggregates – a plentiful natural resource used to create the foundations for some of

We are also extremely proud to share with you the inauguration of one of the world’s most impressive shipyards. Located 8km off Ras Laffan in the State of Qatar, its success is due to a culmination of commitment, effort and expertise.

Finally a big thank you to everyone who contributed to this exciting edition of Range which gives us the opportunity to view sustainability in a new light. In particular I thank Dr Ian Selby of The Crown Estate, for agreeing to be our special guest.

Weston-super-Mare Sea Defences Scour Protection Scheme

STEVE MAGENIS >>

>> 3

B-R-I-D-G-I-N-G WICKEN FEN’S 100 YEAR VISION One of the most important wetlands in Europe,

the Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, on the

outskirts of Cambridge in the east of England, has

been owned and managed by the National Trust

since 1899. Wicken Fen is one of the few remaining

fragments of fenland wilderness in East Anglia and

home to over eight thousand species of plants and

animals, many of them rare and endangered.

Now a major National Trust scheme is underway to dramatically extend the reserve. The Wicken Fen Vision, the largest conservation project of its kind in lowland England, will lead to the creation of a landscape scale nature reserve covering an area of approximately 53km2 between Cambridge and Wicken Fen. The Vision will see the restoration and creation of new wildlife habitats whilst providing a ‘green lung’, a vast area of countryside for public access and recreation.

Not expected to complete overnight – the National Trust

anticipates transformation of the area could take 100 years.

Benefiting wildlifeThe area is traversed by six ‘lodes’ – manmade waterways that connect fen edge villages to the River Cam. Integral to the creation and success of the Wicken Fen Vision, a 38m bridge has been constructed over Reach Lode, so the National Trust can manage new wildlife habitats more effectively and improve public access.

Royal Haskoning was commissioned in 2008 to provide advice and services

for construction of the bridge and habitat creation. Work encompassed environmental scoping, flood risk assessment, geotechnical engineering and quantity surveying. As well as preliminary and detailed designs for the bridge, approach embankments, and 2km cycle-way, it included procurement and managed construction works.

Benefiting communitiesThe bridge forms a major link in the Lodes Way, a 14.5km virtually traffic-free greenway which forms part of a National Cycleway. The new route improves links between communities and enhances access to the countryside for locals and visitors. The Lodes Way is being developed in partnership with Sustrans, using part of a £50m Big Lottery Fund grant to develop new cycling and walking routes throughout the UK.

Chris Soans, Property Operations Manager for Wicken Fen, said: “The absence of a crossing over Reach Lode had previously restricted access to this area of countryside but now thousands of visitors are expected to enjoy this part of the Vision lands each year. As well as enabling effective conservation management, construction of the bridge has created many new local cycling and walking routes, providing sustainable travel options to benefit individuals, while minimising environmental impact.”

Sustainable solutions – creating new habitatsDavid Bone, Senior Consultant at Royal Haskoning, said: “We

needed to ensure construction of the bridge had minimal impact on the environment and used sustainable processes. Engineering clay was required for the construction of sloped ramps at either end of the bridge. This was already available naturally on site, which helped reduce construction traffic. Depressions formed by the excavations filled naturally to form shallow ponds to create new wildlife habitats. The bridge was designed to complement the landscape and an elegant design was chosen using natural materials. Essential steelwork was finished in silvery-grey to blend in as it oxidizes over time.

For a full account of this project go to: www.royalhaskoning.co.uk

David [email protected]


The Crown Estate has partnered with Royal Haskoning

for more than 20 years to provide licenses for companies

to dredge from UK seas, and to establish commercial

strategies for the marine aggregate industry. Range

invited Dr Ian Selby, The Crown Estate’s Marine Minerals

and Dredging Manager, to give an insight into his

role, how marine aggregate will become increasingly

sustainable and his vision for the future of the industry.

With more than 20 years working in the sphere of marine geology, Dr Ian Selby, Marine Minerals and Dredging Manager for The Crown Estate, is still fascinated by the sea’s hidden mysteries. His career has spanned the globe, from searching for offshore diamonds in Australia to working for market-leading UK aggregate companies, and his enthusiasm for his field remains undiminished.

“Aggregates are often seen as dirty and uninteresting but they are necessary for the economic functioning of the country. Marine aggregates are a ‘hidden’ industry as dredging takes place offshore but they have been used in concrete to build landmark constructions such as the Second Severn Crossing bridge, and structures for the 2012 Olympics in London. This is in addition to traditional uses including

coastal defences and reclamation, and everyday products such as concrete paving and kerbs.”

The Crown Estate has a key role in the marine aggregate industry, which dredges 20 million tonnes a year from UK seas. The Crown Estate owns the mineral rights to the UK seabed and issues licences for commercial aggregate extraction after companies receive dredging consent from the Marine Management Organisation, which ensures there are no unacceptable environmental impacts.

Nearly two years into his role, Ian is committed to evolving the industry, working with commercial

“Royal Haskoning has worked with The Crown Estate for 20 years to manage its aggregate portfolio and provide specialist expertise. Its consultants are highly regarded and have provided invaluable advice both technically and commercially to benefit the company and its clients, as well as to protect the marine environment.

DR IAN SELBY, THE CROWN ESTATE’S MARINE MINERALS AND DREDGING MANAGER

“

marine environment.

“

marine environment.

SEABED SUPPLIES SUSTAINABLE FUTURE businesses and government to make extracting and distributing aggregate more efficient and sustainable.

“Around 15 dredging companies were issued licenses in 1989 on 25-year terms, which will expire in 2014. Renewing these licenses provides an opportunity to work strategically with companies to develop and maintain their dredging sites.

“We also foresee improvements in distribution, perhaps by the construction of larger wharfs, which will enable more efficient distribution of aggregate using smaller ships or rail links. This will be more sustainable, and reduce road

transportation which will limit carbon impact.

“Sustainability will also be improved by replacing the ships used for dredging, many of which are now more than 20 years old. Updated designs and technologically advanced equipment will improve energy efficiency and carbon emissions by a third or more.”

Formed where ancient river tides met the sea thousands of years ago, marine aggregate is naturally a sustainable resource. It is good quality, requiring no intensive washing and minimal crushing. It is an efficient, economical source for concrete, coastal defences and reclamation, and the volumes required would be difficult to source from land.

With increasing focus on sustainable construction processes and the emergence of renewable energy projects, Ian

believes that marine aggregates have a bright future.

“For example The Crown Estate has licensed areas of the seabed to companies to set up offshore wind farms. Marine aggregate is ideally located to contribute to associated port development and gravity-based wind turbines. I believe the demand for marine sand and gravel will continue into the future.”

To read the full article go to www.royalhaskoning.co.uk

For more information go towww.thecrownestate.co.uk

John [email protected]


SALTIRE PRAISE FOR MORAY FLOOD ALLEVIATIONWithout intervention, it was estimated that flood damage in Forres would exceed £43 million over the next 50 years. Future flooding would not only affect homes, businesses, the town’s economy and the surrounding region, it would also put schools, emergency services and sewage works at risk.

Now – following implementation of the innovative Forres (Burn of Mosset) Flood Alleviation Scheme which prevented hundreds of properties from flooding just one week after its official opening – the team responsible has received a commendation from the Saltire Society.

Moray Flood Alleviation was formed in 2001, when Royal Haskoning was appointed by The Moray Council to investigate flood problems in Forres and neighbouring villages Lhanbryde and Elgin. It now combines the expertise of The Moray Council, Royal Haskoning, Morrison Construction and cost consultant EC Harris – operating as one integrated team.

Moray Flood Alleviation received commendation in two categories at the Saltire Society Civil Engineering Award ceremony in Glasgow on 28 October 2010.

Peter Haslam, Project Sponsor for The Moray Council said: “I challenged the team to deliver flood alleviation and complement the environment. My measure of success was that the scheme should be ‘invisible’ and prevent flooding. Not only was the challenge met, but the scheme was delivered ahead of programme and under budget. The team excelled and the outcome is very pleasing.”

Barbara Hellet, Royal Haskoning’s Project Director, said: “We are delighted to be recognised by The Saltire Society, as protecting the environment and innovative development are central to Royal Haskoning’s ethos. We worked on the flood alleviation scheme over a long period of time and have been very pleased with the innovations we were able to implement, and the harmonious way in which the scheme fits into the surrounding environment.”Allan Russell, Morrison’s Construction Manager, added: “Significant efforts were made to protect the habitats in and around the Burn of Mosset during construction and to promote good relations with neighbouring residents and other affected parties. We were delighted to receive many letters of praise after completion. More importantly, the success of the scheme was

demonstrated within a few days after its official opening, when major flooding was averted.”

The SchemeThe development, which opened in August 2009, comprises a flood storage reservoir combined with flood defences and a flood relief channel. It includes several innovative features including a baffled crump weir and burn management works. The first of its kind to be built in the UK, the baffled crump weir is a hydraulic structure that regulates discharge from the storage reservoir. The burn management works utilise cutting-edge river restoration techniques to manage development of the burn within the storage reservoir. The scheme is designed to provide at least a 1 in 100 year standard of protection to Forres.

Creating wetland for wildlifeScottish Natural Heritage has also commended the scheme for its inclusion of a permanent wetland, created as part of river

restoration work, significantly increasing wildfowl numbers in the area.

Building on the successes of Forres and its other completed scheme at Lhanbryde, the team is now focussing on managing flood risk elsewhere in Moray.

Moray Flood Alleviation was formed in 2001 when Royal Haskoning was appointed by The Moray Council to investigate the flooding problem, identify and design solutions and manage the statutory processes. Morrison Construction joined the team in 2003, with responsibility for Early Contractor Involvement during design stage and managing the project through the construction phase. EC Harris advises the Council on cost and commercial aspects.

For more information go to:morayfloodalleviation.co.ukroyalhaskoning.co.ukmorrisonconstruction.co.uksaltiresociety.org.uk

Barbara [email protected]

The town of Forres in Moray County, Scotland, has

a long history of flooding, but in 1997 and 2000,

the Burn of Mosset – which runs through the

town – inundated homes and businesses, severely

affecting its 9,000 inhabitants and local economy.


IN O

UR

OP

INIO

N

A CRADLE TO CRADLE® SOCIETY

Royal Haskoning’s Board of Management director,

Henry Rowe, believes that while sustainability

should sit naturally at the heart of every

engineering project, it needs to go much further if

we are to make a real difference to society.

“but we introduced the Cradle to Cradle® concept into the way we work because we are inspired by its philosophy – it has a workable, positive agenda that we can apply easily to everything we do.”

A challenging but positive design approach to making projects ‘good’ overall, rather than just ‘less bad’, Cradle to Cradle® advocates adding value through innovation, and delivering more at lower cost by switching focus from

eco-efficiency (reducing negative ‘footprints’) – to eco-effectiveness (increasing positive ‘footprints’). In an ideal eco-effective future, plans, projects, policies and products contribute positively to the economy, society and the environment, rather than trading off one against another. “The traditional focus of sustainability is to make things less harmful,” Henry continues, “but the Cradle to Cradle® concept gives us a framework within which to explore

projects with the best possible results for all concerned. By making economical use of resources and waste, and introducing solutions that benefit society in the long term – as well as meeting our clients’ own commercial, compliance and social agendas – we are delivering over and above initial project objectives.”A popular concept in Northern Europe during the past few years, Royal Haskoning has applied Cradle to Cradle® principles to project designs in

so much more can be achieved for everyone. I’m particularly delighted that Royal Haskoning has been instrumental in bringing the concept to the UK’s attention through the work we are doing with our client, Cradle to Cradle® Network partner, Suffolk County Council. We are working together on a Europe-wide Cradle to Cradle® knowledge sharing project – the first of its kind in the UK.”

You can read more about our work with Suffolk County Council and the Cradle to Cradle® Network on page 12.

The Cradle to Cradle® concept was developed by the environmental chemist Michael Braungart and architect/designer William McDonough, and proposed in their 2002 book (‘Cradle to Cradle® – Remaking the Way We Make Things’).

Underpinning its commitment to sustainability and the interaction between people and their environment, Royal Haskoning has put its weight behind a concept called Cradle to Cradle®, a holistic economic, environmental and social framework that seeks to create systems that are not just efficient – but essentially waste free.

“We have always taken the issue of sustainability very seriously,” Henry comments,

Cradle to Cradle® has its foundations in three key principles:

ONE: Waste products can and should be seen as resources, reused within continuous loops or cycles. For this to happen biological materials need to be separated from technical materials, so technical components can be reused and biodegradable elements have a route back to a natural environment to benefit growth of other organisms.

TWO: Use of renewable natural energy sources to capture and store heat and generate energy that leaves behind a positive footprint.

THREE: To celebrate diversity by combining functions within buildings or areas to create atmospheres of bio and cultural diversity that benefit society and the environment as a whole.

northern Europe, in partnership with Cradle to Cradle® co-founder Michael Braungart.

“We introduced the philosophy across our organisation and developed a team of ‘Royal Cradle’ experts who study the concept and share their knowledge. Cradle to Cradle® is a transitional process and it will take time to create a solution that fulfils everything the philosophy sets out to achieve,” Henry continues. “So it requires a steady approach. In the meantime we must all make a conscious shift in our thinking from eco-effective projects, towards the delivery of eco-effective solutions.

“In my opinion Cradle to Cradle® is the pathway for evolving sustainability and taking it to the next level – because working within its philosophy

“ “Approaching sustainability with the Cradle

to Cradle® philosophy in mind will achieve

far more than just tackling a project with the

intention of making sure the outcome doesn’t

damage society.

HENRY ROWE, BOARD OF MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR


The project is developing Cradle to Cradle® best practice between ten European partners. It aims to improve the eco-effectiveness of policies and projects, strengthening the connection between environmental and social enhancement and economic growth, using Cradle to Cradle® as a driver.

Suffolk County Council is leading the UK arm of the project, which focuses on the built environment. The two-year project is co-financed

While ‘sustainability’ is a watchword in the UK, Cradle to Cradle® did not filter

its way across the channel until very recently. Now Suffolk County Council and

Royal Haskoning have struck up a new partnership, working on a European

wide Cradle to Cradle® knowledge sharing project – a first for the UK.

by the European Regional Development Fund and made possible by the INTERREG IVC programme.

Cllr Judy Terry, Portfolio Holder for Greenest County Suffolk County Council, said: “We are extremely pleased to be coordinating this innovative project for the East of England as part of our ambition to create the greenest county. We will find out how we can best design buildings and industrial processes to reduce waste in the future.

“We need to become a society in which environmental considerations such as waste are designed out at the beginning of a product’s life rather than being dealt with at the end. This will be better for our environment and will provide increased opportunities for innovation and economic growth in the region.

Dr Matthew Hunt, Royal Haskoning’s principal advisor for climate change and sustainability, said: “The concept of Cradle to Cradle® is a very good fit with

Royal Haskoning’s vision of sustainability. Challenging climate change, the reduction of raw materials and improving sustainability is easier if we all work together to help the concept of Cradle to Cradle® become the norm sooner rather than later.

“As this project develops, we would like to share our experience and start a dialogue with interested parties who represent the built environment, architecture and sustainability to see how we can work together and

encourage Cradle to Cradle® approaches. If there are any projects outside the East of England that are using methods or designs that chime with the Cradle to Cradle® concept, we want people to tell us about them so we can feed these experiences into the wider project.”

Matthew [email protected]

CRADLE TO CRADLE® CONCEPT TO CREATE A GREENER ENGLAND

“ “Cradle to Cradle® is a transitional

process and it will take time to create

a solution that fulfils everything the

philosphy sets out to achieve.


LOCKING DOWNTHE LEVEES

Hurricanes will always threaten America’s southern state of Louisiana, but for the residents of New Orleans – hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, five years on, the future is looking far safer as priority safety measures near completion.

Royal Haskoning has worked in close collaboration with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) since work began on this critical and prominent flood prevention project in 2006, and opened offices in New Orleans as a base for Dutch and UK engineers working onthe project.

Coastal and rivers expert Mathijs van Ledden explains how Royal Haskoning became involved in the project and comments on how work has progressed: “After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, there was a clear and urgent need for flood risk management expertise. Because of our long experience of managing large scale flood prevention schemes – particularly in the Netherlands – we were approached by the United States government to attend a conference to discuss what could be done to help the area recover.

“We were then commissioned to advise the Army Corps and oversee the rebuilding of the entire levee system. Since then we have been

involved in strategic planning, policy implementation in design quality, defining new methodology for levee elevations and offering advice on protection levels.”

Work has proceeded at pace. The massive flood protection system, which includes three large flood barriers, is scheduled to complete in 2011.

“Depending on wind direction, water can come from three sides during hurricane season,” Mathijs explains. “On the northern side, where a number of lakes are situated, new storm flood defences were put in place immediately following the disaster. A three kilometre storm surge barrier built across the swamp on the eastern side of the city has sprung up, and quay walls and new dyke systems are in place.”

However the danger of flooding is still present as water in the Mississippi River – which flows directly through New Orleans – rises dangerously as hurricane winds push water towards the city. The Mississippi dyke system is currently under investigation so that the right solution for the problem can be found.

In the meantime, a tool proving extremely useful in the prediction of hurricane strength is Royal Haskoning’s digital storm atlas – which is helping the USACE plan

its strategy for dealing with inbound hurricanes.

“Our digital storm atlas shows at a glance whether or not a hurricane will cause problems and, if so, where they are likely to occur.” Mathijs continues. “It enables the USACE to assess forthcoming storms and make decisions based on whether or not precautionary action should be taken.

“We have also produced a pilot digital information system for the dyke infrastructure, and have been commissioned to develop this further.” >>

Since Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans five years

ago, a specialist team of flood alleviation experts have

worked alongside the United States Army Corps of

Engineers to help repair damaged levees and rebuild the

city’s flood prevention infrastructure.


NEW ORLEANS 2010…looking ahead with hope

>> The entire flood alleviation system completes

in 2011 and this represents a huge step forward for

the safety of New Orleans. It demonstrates the high

level of commitment shown by everyone involved

with the project to progress the flood barrier from

concept to completion within five years.

“After 2011, everything stands or falls on good maintenance and further improvement of the protection system – but it will actually take a big storm to prove its strength and capacity. The USACE wants to transfer responsibility for this to the local water boards after 2011 and we are offering our support on that.”

Mathijs is proud to be associated with the project. “This has been the project of a lifetime. I am extremely proud that we were able to use our technical capabilities to improve New Orleans’ levee systems – and help safeguard New Orleans’ against future hurricanes. This is work that will benefit the city and its communities for generations to come – which really inspires me!”

UK involvementPrincipal Engineer Tim Burgess went to work in New Orleans in 2007.

“I was initially commissioned to carry out data management work but became involved in Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration project – a forward focussed project that looks at protection requirements for Louisiana during the next 50 to 100 years. This work led to the creation of a ‘flood extent mapping’ interface which uses flow information to show the extent and depth of flooding for large areas of coastline from Mississippi to Texas.”

Tim was also involved in the marshland restoration project.

“The marshlands act as a natural defence barrier,” Tim explains, “but over time they have declined due to the increase in settlements and erosion. The project is concerned with restoring the marshland and its ecosystems so that it can sustain the area’s oyster beds – a vital part of

the area’s industry which depends on oyster harvesting for its livelihood. The work we carried out involved numerical modelling for related hydrological works.

New Orleans – home for generations to comeCommenting on how the area has changed since his first visit three years ago, Tim said, “When I first arrived I noticed that many neighbourhoods were still in a state of devastation – with many buildings declared unsafe – or in the process of being demolished. However on my return in 2010, I noticed the degree of recovery was much greater – and it was evident that residential areas were coming back to life as shopping malls and homes were re-built.

“After the hurricane many people decided to leave the area, but the people I met who stayed say their perspective has now changed. They have accepted that they live in a hurricane prone area and that the risk of it happening again will always be there. However, with safety measures now in place and future prevention work underway they can look ahead with the hope that New Orleans will remain their home for generations to come.

“Getting the storm surge barrier in place from barely a concept in 2006 to completion in 2011 is down to the impressive commitment of all parties concerned – from the government to the engineers and consultants involved. In my view the speed at which the New Orleans flood recovery projects are being achieved sends a clear message. Vital flood alleviation work can be achieved really well and really quickly, provided there is commitment on all sides to remove any obstacles likely to get in the way of the job being done.”

Royal Haskoning remains involved in ongoing work in New Orleans and is currently working on the ‘Armouring Project’ to ensure the strength of flood protection in the event of overtipping.

Mathijs van [email protected] n g.com

Tim [email protected]

“

“

Because Royal Haskoning operates worldwide it

has the right experience in-house for southern

Louisiana, where expertise in the field of

water management is of crucial importance.

Knowledge of water and working constructively

with water is in their DNA. Let’s hope they will

continue to be active here for decades.

J. DAVID WAGGONNER III, WAGGONNER & BALL ARCHITECTS, US.


A FIRST FOR CAMBRIDGE SuDS DESIGN

is allowed to evaporate or soak into the ground and the rest conveyed to the nearest watercourse to be released at the same rate and volumes as before development. Pollutants, such as metals and hydrocarbons from roads and car parks are reduced on the way so water entering local watercourses is cleaner and does not harm wildlife habitats.

At the heart of the development is a multifunctional community space with a playing field, pavilion and green parking, which provides water storage in the event of severe flooding. The inclusion of water features that provide community amenities and increase biodiversity at the same time, was achieved by

creating habitats for breeding amphibians, dragonflies and other aquatic invertebrates within an area of wetland containing pond and reed beds.

Recycling rainwater can halve water consumption in residential properties, so the design uses an innovative smart rainwater recycling system. This links to the UK Met Office’s rainfall forecast model, providing storage by partially draining tanks into the wider system when rainfall is forecast. The design features roof gardens and water butts for all apartments and a green roof on the community building which

provides a valuable habitat for flora, invertebrates and birds. Residential access roads and car parks use permeable paving and swales (corridors of lower lying land) linked to retention basins to reduce flow and store water during heavy rainfall.

The design was commended for showing the benefits to be gained by integrating

sustainable drainage into developments, and the contribution this makes to delivering green infrastructure and improving urban design.

[email protected]@royalhaskoning.com

This year Royal Haskoning won first place in a national competition launched by the Council to promote its newly published Sustainable urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) design guide, which fosters a sustainable approach to housing development.

“The objective of the competition – the first of its

kind in the UK – was to design a theoretical solution for a new site,” says scientist Richard Stevens. “High quality SuDS had to be integrated with an aesthetically pleasing design, while managing water quality,

enhancing biodiversity, and providing residential amenities.

“The key to our success was a multidisciplinary approach. Our team included coastal and rivers engineers and scientists, an environmental scientist, and landscape architect. We utilised our collective knowledge and

experience to demonstrate that innovative and sustainable civil engineering design can be more than just an aspiration. Our design shows that schemes that are both practical and fully integrated within developments are – in reality – highly achievable.”

The primary purpose of SuDS is to mimic the natural drainage of a site before development. As much rainfall as possible

Cambridge is renowned for its architecture, green spaces and wildlife, and protecting these assets is

a priority for the city. The challenges of environmental protection are increasing with climate change

and Cambridge City Council’s key objective is to ‘promote Cambridge as a sustainable city’, balancing

economic, social and environmental changes with quality of life for the present and future.

Royal Haskoning awarded first place in Cambridge SuDS design competition

Swale RetentionBasin

Permeable Pavement Water

ButtUnder-road

DrainageCommunity

BuildingSwale

Amenity

Wetland

Watercourse

creating habitats for breeding

sustainable drainage into


SUPER SEA DEFENCE

In 2004, North Somerset Council embarked on a £30 million enhancement of its sea front to protect the town’s 4,500 seaside properties and businesses from significant tidal flooding. The scheme included upgrading the promenade and sea wall and regenerating tourism and economic prosperity, as well as improving the town’s appearance for residents, visitors and investors.

The project received grant funding of almost £27.5million from Defra’s Flood Defence Grant in Aid and was the

first in the UK to go through the Environment Agency’s procurement system, with new powers delegated to the Council by Defra.

Building on earlier work to examine the sea defences, the Council commissioned Royal Haskoning to carry out detailed design work to strengthen the existing Victorian sea wall, erect a secondary

‘splash wall’, resurface the promenade and upgrade street lighting, civic furniture and incorporate public art.

Project Manager Paul Knight, said: “The bulk of the project was to construct a secondary sea wall at the landward side of the promenade, install a number of flood gates, and reinforce some sections of the existing sea wall.“Although the original wall was

built in the 1870s, it had lasted very well. However, storms had caused sections of the parapet to collapse, resulting in flooding. We strengthened the wall by inserting stainless steel rods and constructed a second splash wall using reinforced concrete. These have been clad on both sides using a combination of Blue Lias and local stone, which the Council reclaimed from the town’s old British Legion site.Renowned Royal Academy

“Situated alongside the Bristol Channel, the town of Weston-super-Mare literally means ‘west town above

the sea’. A tiny settlement of 100 people before Roman occupation, by the 1800s it had grown into a

bustling Victorian seaside town where thousands flocked to bathe, rest and relax.

sculptor John Maine was instrumental in the appearance of masonry cladding, incorporating features, seating and promenade paving. As a result the seawall no longer looks like a flood defence feature, but more like a public feature designed to separate the promenade from the road. According to residents the promenade feels safer, quieter and in keeping with the environment. A scour protection apron, which incorporates natural limestone and granite seating protects the sea wall.

“Further work includes a demountable defence at the Knightstone Island slipway access, to protect against high seas. The first to be used at a UK coastal location, this Dutch invention remains collapsed during calm days and erected when storms are expected.The whole scheme is now

nearing completion and the benefits to the town’s society are plain to see; from an amazing promenade to a secure, flood-risk free future.

The Weston-super-Mare Sea Defences Scour Protection Phase 2A has been awarded a commendation by the Concrete Society in the civil engineering category.

Hamish [email protected]

Organisations involved: Royal Haskoning – design engineers and site supervision, Birse Coastal – principal contractor, EC Harris – contract manager and cost consultant www.n-somerset.gov.uk/seafront “

Royal Haskoning’s versatile

approach, combined with its

experience and knowledge, means

we have created a sustainable 21st

Century sea defence scheme. The

team’s original aspiration to create

an ‘invisible’ sea defence is being

met; and that has ensured the

aesthetics of our resort have been

enhanced and rejuvenated rather

than compromised.

RACHEL LEWIS, PROJECT MANAGER FOR NORTH SOMERSET COUNTY COUNCIL


MARITIMESUCCESS IN QATAR

“

A ceremony in November 2010 to mark the inauguration of the Nakilat

Shipyard at the Port of Ras Laffan, State of Qatar, is the triumphant

outcome of one of the most impressive civil and maritime engineering

projects in the world.

Qatar owns 15 per cent of the world’s total proven gas reserves. The new shipyard is a milestone in the country’s strategy to create a marine industry to support production

selection was undertaken in 2004 by First Marine International, which is now part of Royal Haskoning. Subsequently, Royal Haskoning worked very closely with Nakilat, (owner of one of the world’s largest fleets of LNG carriers), to undertake the detailed design and supervision of construction of all the shipyard facilities.

The shipyard is located approximately 8km from

Qatar’s shoreline and was constructed on reclaimed land, totalling some 110 hectares. Royal Haskoning designed, specified and supervised the initial comprehensive ground investigation for the shipyard, and advised on ground improvement following reclamation.

The ‘marine’ works are immense, including two drydocks, the largest measuring 400m by 80m with a depth of

“17.6m, and wet berths totalling 2.5km in length. With more than 50 years experience of shipyard and drydock design, Royal Haskoning designed and supervised the construction of the two large drydocks and their dock gates in one phase, a complex undertaking involving integration of many different engineering disciplines.

The shipyard’s ‘onshore’ works include seven major industrial workshops, the largest of which

is a 270m long, 60m wide shipbuilding hall, attached to which are support workshops, offices and amenities totalling over 15,000 square metres. The shipyard also includes three multi-storey buildings. Designed by Royal Haskoning these provide offices and amenities for shipyard employees and subcontractors, as well as representatives of ship owners and classification societies.

Both the ‘onshore’ and ‘marine’ works included integrating specialist mechanical and electrical facilities for the site as a whole.

David [email protected]

Royal Haskoning is proud to be associated with this project, one of the world’s largest state-

of-the-art facilities. From the initial concept, through to construction and the inauguration

of the shipyard, Royal Haskoning’s multi-disciplinary team has provided services in all

aspects of the development to ensure a successful outcome.

SIMON HARRIES, ROYAL HASKONING’S DIRECTOR OF MARITIME

and transportation of its oil and gas to world markets. The new shipyard, 80km north of Qatar’s capital city Doha, will undertake repair, maintenance and conversion of very large

ships, as well as construction of specialist ships, including offshore supply vessels, tugs and coastal tankers. The initial feasibility study for the shipyard, including site

Phot

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f Nak

ilat


winter 2010

range4

bahrain > belgium > cambodia > china > france > india > indonesia > ireland > libya > malaysia > the netherlands > nigeria > oman > peru > philippines > romania > russia > senegal > south africa > thailand > trinidad & tobago > united arab emirates > united kingdom > united states of america > vietnam

Range is a Royal Haskoning publication issued four times a year. An international and Dutch version of Range is also available.

As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, Range is also produced in digital format. If you would prefer to receive Range electronically, please let us know by sending an email to the address below.

We always welcome comments from our readers. If you have any questions or feedback about anything you have read in Range, then please email: [email protected]

For further information about Royal Haskoning, please visit our website at www.royalhaskoning.co.uk

Keep up to date with our news at:www.twitter.com/haskoning_uk

Editor: Trudi Downey, Royal Haskoning Copywriting: Sheng Chi CommunicationsDesign & layout: Charles Whalley Advertising LtdPrint: Gildenburgh Ltd

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