AECOM recently published a new report “Rebuilding Britain: Unlocking Growth From Uk’s Infrastructure Strategy” which offers a detailed roadmap and a way to navigate these problems in order to deliver high quality infrastructure and solve many of the issues that have continued to plague Britain’s infrastructure for decades. The report explores ten recommendations built around three strategic pillars in Unlocking Private investment, Embracing AI in infrastructure and Accelerating project delivery;

1. A national to regional planning framework

AECOM suggests a coordinated framework where national priorities and regulations are aligned with regional and local plans. The UK currently has different sectors and regions planning independently which has led to inefficiencies and duplication at times for example new housing developments are often approved way before transport or energy upgrades are planned or coordinated leading to congested roads and overstretched power networks. This framework would fix that by facilitating cross-sector integration where different types of infrastructure like energy, water and transport can be designed to work together rather than as isolated systems. It also encourages clustered infrastructures whereby related infrastructure projects are grouped in one area rather than spreading them out so that they can share resources like power, transport links and cooling systems improving efficiency and waste management.

2. Streamlining consenting and planning.

Consulting firms in the UK make millions with the biggest ones like WSP, Kier group and ARUP raking in billions per year. Now this isn’t their fault but they make a lot of money from UK’s major bottle necks and procurement systems which are slow and vulnerable. AECOM suggests cutting duplication in the environmental and technical assessments on projects, introducing clear timetables and milestones for major projects and piloting simplified consenting regimes. This would speed up approvals without sacrificing environmental standards.

3. Oversight for Infrastructure Policy

Most of the regulations governing UK infrastructure are let’s face it outdated, reactive and fragmented between departments and the reason for this is there isn’t dedicated oversight for the policy governing  infrastructure. I wish I could go deeper on this topic but this article would then be 50 pages. AECOM suggests that to overcome this,  A dedicated minister should be appointed to oversee all infrastructure policy. This would ensure alignment between departments, improve accountability and create a more unified approach in planning and delivery which would in turn overcome the fragmentation that has slowed infrastructure progress.

4. AI- enabled planning and Digital Transformation

The report suggests integrating AI tools early in project design which would optimize layouts, forecast risks and costs more accurately, reduce carbon waste and streamline decision making across the full project lifecycles. Additionally, it calls for what’s knowns as digital twins which are virtual replicas of the physical assets. These digital models would use real-time data to mirror performance and combines with AI could allow predictions for maintenance, fault detection and better energy management. Imagine a road network where predictions for surface repairs are made and completed before damage occurs.

Under its AI- First infrastructure delivery, they also call for a centralized and open infrastructure data platform called NISTA (National Infrastructure and service Transformation Authority). This would collect, manage and curate national infrastructure data sets where it can then be shared openly across government, industry, professionals and researchers. This would allow for innovation by medium-sized enterprises and research institutions, allow for faster decision making through shared intelligence, reduce duplication and errors from isolated systems. These suggestions would give the UK a digital nervous system that is smarter, faster and more accurate.

5. Re-imagining public-private partnerships/ pipeline Transparency

Public funding alone cannot cover the UK’s £725 billion infrastructure pipeline. Private investment is therefore key in delivering infrastructure but the current National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and what investors actually need before they can commit their funds to these projects does not align. The NIP for example lists headline project names, sectors and indicative costs but leaves out important information like the project readiness and development stage, funding and financing structure, risk allocation and mitigation framework, expected returns and financial metrics, delivery timelines, etc all things that are very important to investors. The report therefore calls for modern public-private partnerships that are not only transparent but also flexible and fair. The new partnerships would balance risk and reward between government and investors, protect public value and ensure tax payer money delivers while also being flexible enough to adapt to changing technologies and markets. This would restore confidence in partnership based deliveries and attract high quality investors to long-tern UK projects.

6. Enhancing government capability and confidence

AECOM also suggests that even when commercial risk is transferred, political risk can still inhibit decisive action. To address this, the report recommends enhancing public sector capability which would transform departments into intelligent clients equipped with the technical literacy and AI driven decision making support tools such as the Nature Risk tool which would help depoliticize technical risk assessment accelerating infrastructure delivery. The data driven models would provide accurate insights reducing delays and improving confidence in approvals which would then improve confidence in investors to commit investment with greater certainty.

7. Investing in Good Design and Building Environmental Resilience.

The report calls for more investment in the earlier stages of design. It identifies that historically, investors have been discouraged from investing in design other than the functional requirements. This is because government contracts have always gone to the lowest bids designs rather than those optimized for long-term performance which has forced designers to produce good enough to build but not the best for life-cycle value. They point out that this should not be this way as infrastructure strategy and planning reforms now provide greater certainty in delivery and create conditions that are great  for front-loaded design processes. This means spending more time and resources at the concept stage where design quality has a great impact on long term outcome.

By bringing designers, engineers, digital specialists and contractors early on this stage, projects can be de-risked before construction even begins streamlining project delivery and offering a more precise decision making strategy.

CONCLUSION

These issues are not a new discovery, everyone in the sector understands them well but what this report has done differently is provide a clear plan to fix these issues and restore the UK as the infrastructure giant it once was. This is a country that built the first trainline, the first iron bridge and once decided to build 32 towns from scratch and actually did it. By focusing on smarter planning, improved policy, early investment and AI integration, real progress could be made and could alter the way Britain approaches infrastructure. At the end of the day, the future won’t be built by committees or paperwork but by taking action and connecting ideas across sectors, the blueprint is there, all that’s left is to build.

post by Musa Nasser/ November 2025

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Understanding C&D Waste 

C&D waste encompasses the debris generated from various construction and demolition projects, from private homes to international airports. In 2018, the US alone produced a staggering 600 million tons of C&D waste and in that same year the UK produced 202.8 million tons. Because of this, the construction industry is looking for more eco-friendly construction methods to reduce its environmental footprint. 

Why Recycle in Construction? 

Environmental Conservation: Recycling diverts waste from landfills reducing environmental degradation. It also minimizes the need to extract new raw materials, conserving natural resources and energy. 

Economic Benefits: Recycled materials are often cheaper, reducing costs associated with raw material extraction, processing, and transportation. Moreover, reusing materials can save on disposal costs and even generate revenue. 

Championing the Circular Economy: Recycling exemplifies the circular economy in action. It ensures materials are continually cycled back into the economy, reducing waste, and promoting sustainability. 

Energy Efficiency. Using recycled materials partly or entirely will reduce energy consumption overall. This is because the energy required to re-use them is far lower than that which would be needed to process new ones all the way from harvesting raw materials to transporting the finished product on site. 

Challenges in C&D Recycling 

While a sizable portion of C&D waste is recycled, a large amount still ends up in landfills. Traditional demolition practices often lead to mixed rubble making material extraction challenging, this in turn makes extraction of useful materials complicated. Even with organized deconstruction, materials must be meticulously sorted and separated into distinct categories for effective recycling. Contamination is another issue where materials like wood or plastic mix with concrete meant for recycling. The broad range of materials in C&D from concrete, wood, asphalt, glass, plastics, metals and even whole fixtures like windows further complicates the recycling process.  

The Merits of Recycled Building Materials 

Recycled building materials are products repurposed from previous constructions including bricks, steel, timber and even entire elements like windows. They can also be products manufactured from waste such as recycled plastic bricks or concrete made from waste steel dust. These materials are both eco-friendly and cost effective plus they can be high performing. 

Examples of Recycled Building Materials: 

Cement: Recycled cement is mixed with aggregates and water to produce concrete suitable for various applications. 

Topsoil: Excavated soil from construction sites can be processed to create nutrient-rich soil ideal for landscaping. 

Recycled Aggregates: Aggregates can be repurposed for various construction needs, from concrete production to road foundations. 

Recycled steel. Steel is one of the most recycled materials in the world. It can be used in place of new steel to save energy and resources. 

Recycled glass. Crushed glass can be used for countertops, flooring and even as aggregate in concrete saving even more resources. 

Benefits of Using Recycled Building Materials 

Waste Reduction: The construction industry is inherently wasteful. Reclaiming materials reduces reliance on unsustainable disposal methods. 

Energy Efficiency: Processing reclaimed materials consumes less energy than harvesting or manufacturing new ones. 

Emission Reduction: Using recycled materials reduces greenhouse gas emissions, crucial for a sector responsible for a significant carbon footprint. 

Cost Savings: Recycled materials are often more affordable, debunking the myth that sustainable practices are always more expensive. 

The Road Ahead 

To increase recycling in construction, proper organization is necessary. Clear communication with recycling companies ensures appropriate containers are available for material separation from the project’s onset. This will make recycling easier as separation of recyclable materials is the hardest part in the process. More so, conscientious building design that allows for easy disassembly can facilitate effective material reuse at the end of a building’s life. 

In conclusion, recycling in construction is not just an eco-friendly choice; it is a comprehensive approach that intertwines economic, environmental and societal benefits. As the industry continues to evolve, recycling will undoubtedly be at the heart of sustainable construction practices. 

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Understanding Drainage Systems

Drainage systems are intricate networks designed to manage both foul water and rainwater or surface runoff. Internally, a myriad of small waste pipes from sinks, basins, showers, and toilets converges into a soil stack. This stack then channels the waste either towards public sewers or an on-site tank.

Above-ground waste pipes, known as soil and vent systems, are typically installed by plumbers. These systems need proper venting above roof level to prevent foul odors from permeating the house. Below ground these networks, managed by groundworkers, connect to either mains drainage or on-site systems.

Mains Drainages

Mains drainage is typically overseen by a district’s water company. Connecting to this system often involves accessing main drains, usually located under streets. While this can be a costly endeavor especially if roadworks are required, it’s often more economical than on-site alternatives.

However, challenges arise when the main drains are located at a higher elevation than the site. In such cases, a lifting station equipped with a macerator pump becomes necessary. This system collects waste and pumps it uphill into the mains drainage.

On-site Drainage: An Alternative.

For those in rural areas or those facing prohibitive mains connection costs, on-site drainage systems like septic tanks or sewage treatment plants are viable alternatives. These systems however require land and regulatory permissions. Below are some of the onsite options;

– Cesspit: A basic tank with no outlets, typically emptied periodically by a lorry which makes it less economical.

– Septic Tank: Separates solids from liquids with the latter flowing into a drainage field. The solids would have to be emptied but this happens way less than in cesspits. Modern installations however adhere to higher environmental standards.

– Sewage Treatment Plant: Electrically powered systems that treat waste more effectively than septic tanks, producing cleaner liquid waste.

– Reed Bed: Often part of a sewage treatment setup, especially in areas with poor soil drainage. Bacteria within the reed bed digest sewage and purify the water.

 Cost Implications

On-site drainage systems, while offering autonomy, come with their own set of costs. Initial installation can hover around £15,000, with ongoing costs for maintenance, tank emptying, and electricity for certain models.

Managing Surface Water

Rainwater, unlike foul water, doesn’t require treatment. It can be directed into underground soakaways or nearby watercourses. Modern regulations necessitate thorough assessments to ensure adequate drainage capacity, preventing flooding during severe storms. Additionally, permeable paving might be mandated to mitigate flash flooding.

 Rainwater Harvesting: A Sustainable Approach

Instead of merely directing rainwater into soakaways, one can harness it for household use through rainwater harvesting. This system involves collecting rainwater in an underground tank, filtering it, and then using it for non-potable purposes like flushing toilets, laundry, and gardening.

 Conclusion

Whether you opt for mains drainage or an on-site system, understanding the intricacies of each is crucial. While mains drainage offers convenience, on-site systems provide more autonomy. Regardless of the choice, ensuring effective water management is key to a sustainable, eco-friendly future.

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The Rion-Antirion Bridge is one of my favourite structures. It’s an awe-inspiring construction project that leaves you mesmerised by its magnificence. Its engineering, especially considering the time of its construction, is mind-boggling. Built-in 1999, the Rion-Antirion Bridge spans the Gulf of Corinth near Patras, connecting the town of Rio on the Peloponnese peninsula to Antirion on mainland Greece. It’s not the structure that makes it an incredible feat of engineering; it’s the challenging conditions under which it was built. This article will explore how engineers overcame impossible challenges using ingenuity, innovative design, and cutting-edge technology to make this bridge possible.

Challenges:

The area presented several problems, including high-speed winds, deep water (with the bridge crossing waters up to 65m deep), and, most importantly, seismic activity. Constructing a bridge in one of the world’s most seismic-affected areas seemed daunting and pretty much impossible. To address these challenges, engineers had to consider multiple factors, such as:

Foundation concepts: Various foundation concepts were examined to ensure stability and prevent the sinking or failure of the bridge’s foundations.

Span type: The choice between suspension and cable-stayed spans had to be carefully evaluated, considering both economic feasibility and technical soundness.

Seismic activity: The seismic activity in the area caused additional problems that needed to be addressed:

• Soil liquefaction. This means the soil would temporarily lose its strength and start acting like a liquid when an earthquake happens, potentially sinking the bridge or failing its foundations.
• Ground shaking. The ground shaking would cause the bridge to start moving in ways it wasn’t designed to do, potentially leading to collapse.
• Ground displacement. Earthquakes can cause the ground to move in various ways, including sideways and vertical uplifts. These movements had to be accounted for in the design of the bridge.

 

Design and Overcoming Challenges:        

Overcoming these challenges required innovative approaches and the use of cutting-edge technology. Here are some of the solutions that were implemented:

Stable foundation: Due to the deep water and unstable seabed, engineers drove piles 60 meters into the seabed. These piles provided a sound foundation for the bridge and could withstand lateral movement. Topping the piles with a 3-meter-thick layer of gravel allowed the piers to sit and move freely without toppling over.

Suspension system: Four concrete piers placed at the seabed, ranging in height from 48m to 63.5m, are connected by 386 cables. This arrangement gives the bridge its distinct look and has become a symbol of modern-day Greece. The bridge deck is suspended from these cables, allowing it to move freely with the forces of nature without exerting additional loads on the structure. The piers were designed to be flexible, swaying with the motion of earthquakes as they are not directly connected to the piles below them. In 2006, external dampers were installed near the bottom of the anchorage to improve the behaviour of the cables, increasing the overall damping of the cable system.

Viscous dampers: The hanging bridge deck posed a new challenge – the possibility of colliding with the pylons during excessive movement. To address this, engineers installed viscous dampers, the largest in the world at the time, at the pylon locations and transition piers. These dampers limit lateral displacements between the deck and the pylons, dissipating significant energy during seismic activity. They come into action only when the fuse restrainer parallel to them is triggered, which occurs at a magnitude of 10,500 KN during intense seismic activity. This design choice was made considering the frequent strong winds and low-level earthquakes experienced in the Gulf of Corinth, preventing excessive lateral movement of the bridge deck and ensuring its usability.

In conclusion, the Rion-Antirion Bridge is a testament to human innovation and engineering ingenuity. Despite seeming impossible, it was achieved by pushing the boundaries of engineering. Today, it symbolizes Greece’s progress and serves as a reminder of what can be accomplished when engineering challenges are overcome.

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1. Chernobyl, 1989: The nuclear catastrophe

 It is impossible to look back in history and not talk about Chernobyl. An engineering tragedy so big  its consequences are still felt to this day. On the 26th of April 1986, during an ill-fated safety test simulating a power outage, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded. This set off a chain of events that would eventually lead to thousands of deaths over the years even though only 31 were directly attributed to the event. During testing of the RBMK-reactor, a major flaw in its design was neglected; it had a positive void coefficient. This meant that as the cooling water boiled off, creating bubbles, the reactor’s power output increased too. Workers had to add some control rods that had initially been taken out to control the reaction, but the rods then displaced the coolant (water) momentarily increasing the reaction rate in the core. This led to an uncontrollable power surge resulting in two explosions in succession. This led to the death of about 31 workers instantly and over the next few weeks, over 115000 people living in areas near the site were also evacuated by authorities. These explosions released radioactive material equivalent to 500 Hiroshima bombs into the environment and the event led to a lot of changes in both nuclear reactor designs and overall safety procedures and policies, serving as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with nuclear energy if safety precautions are ignored.

2. Tacoma Narrows Bridge, 1940: the swaying Giant

When you talk about disasters, everyone typically thinks of loss of lives. The Tacoma Bridge disaster didn’t involve human casualties, yet it’s one of the most studied engineering failures in history. Originally built in 1940, the Tacoma Bridge stretched from the city of Tacoma to the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State. It was opened to the public on July 1, 1940, and shortly after it was noticed that it buckled and swayed noticeably in windy conditions. Four months later, it was hit by winds traveling at 42mph which caused it to sway dramatically, leading to its collapse. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the event other than a dog that got stranded in a car on the bridge. Further investigations found that the bridge collapsed because of a phenomenon known as “aeroelastic flutter”, a kind of resonance which wasn’t well known back then. It means the frequency of the winds simply matched the natural frequency of the bridge causing the oscillations of the bridge to grow larger and larger until it buckled and broke. This event was a turning point in engineering, providing valuable insights into the importance of considering all environmental factors and the dynamic forces that act on them over time.

3. South Fork Dam, 1889: Ignoring the Basics

Initially built in 1853, the South Fork Dam disaster is a clear example of what happens when proper engineering practices and maintenance are ignored. The dam meant to hold back Lake Conemaugh collapsed releasing over 20 million tonnes of water into Johnstown killing over 2,200 people in the process. The catastrophe was caused by negligent maintenance and modifications by a fishing and hunting club which lowered the dam to make way for a road, and also removed discharge pipes to prevent fish from escaping. This compromised the structural integrity of the dam which caused for its breach when heavy rains came. The other reason was inadequate spillways, which were insufficient and mostly blocked by debris. The disaster had a profound effect on the engineering process of dams, bringing into account things like regulatory oversight over structures like these preventing the public from making any kind of changes to them. It also highlighted the need for proper maintenance and design which led to better protocols for the entire process. Lastly, risk assessments became necessary considering worst-case scenarios and how they should be dealt with.

Artist’s conception of the South Fork Dam failing or giving way on the afternoon, about 3:15 pm, of May 31, 1889.

NPS/Harpers Ferry Center

4. Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse: A lesson in communication and Ethics

Considered one of the worst civil engineering disasters in US history, the Hyatt Regency walkway disaster was nothing short of catastrophic. It all started during construction when the steel manufacturer proposed a switch in the design of the steel rods that were supposed to run from the second floor to the ceiling for support. The steel manufacturer thought the design was flawed as the steel rods would have to be screw-threaded to hold the fourth-floor walkway in place, so the contractor suggested using a set of rods that would connect the fourth-floor walkway to the ceiling, and a separate set that would connect the second floor to the fourth-floor walkway. This change doubled the load on the fourth-floor walkway connectors, and since there was a tea party in the atrium on the day of the event with people walking constantly on both walkways above, disaster was inevitable. The second and fourth-floor walkways collapsed into the atrium below, killing over 114 people and leaving about 200 more injured. The Hyatt Regency walkway collapse demonstrated what happens when the communication and approval process is not followed, as some of the modifications were later reported to have been confirmed over the phone rather than checking documentations and recalculating the designs. The disaster also served as a reminder on engineering ethics stressing that no matter what happens, engineers must always put the safety of the public first and should speak up if they see something that could jeopardize this. Lastly, the collapse led to changes in building code and regulations, particularly the importance of independent inspection during the construction phase to ensure structural integrity of structures.

Image: DTR/Wikimedia Commons

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The Shift in Engineering Approach

Sustainable engineering necessitates a holistic approach. It calls for collaboration across various fields and demands careful consideration of a project’s entire lifecycle. Engineers must be proactive and thorough, identifying and mitigating risks associated with new technologies and processes. Sustainability should be a priority from a project’s inception, as about eighty percent of a product’s environmental impact is determined during the development process. Key areas of focus in sustainability include

• Transportation
• Food production and preservation
• Housing and shelter
• Waste disposal and management
• Pollution reduction
• Water supplies
• Energy development and consumption
• Restoring natural resource environments
• Improvements in industrial processes

The Challenges and the Way Forward

Admittedly, sustainable engineering has its share of challenges. The upfront costs of building sustainable structures can be steep due to the demand for specialized expertise. Then, there’s the complexity of interdependent systems that make it tough to pinpoint the most effective practices. Public awareness and acceptance is also a major hindrance in the use of sustainable practices as the public still don’t understand some of the new sustainable methods and materials and are therefore still opposed to them. However, our focus should be beyond these immediate hurdles. We must continue working towards the long-term benefits – think improved health and minimized environmental footprint, efficient use of energy, resilience to climate change, economic efficiency and preservation for future generations.

As Dr. Helen Meese, a chattered mechanical engineer says. “Sustainable design is no longer simply focused on reduce, recycle, and re-use or repurpose. Today, sustainable design is about adding value, designing products that bring societal benefits and solving environmental challenges that are also viable for businesses to implement. Engineers must have the mindset to develop innovative solutions.”

Sustainability is not a destination but a journey and as long as engineers continue to monitor, learn and improve sustainable systems, a better future for all is guaranteed.

OPTIMISTIC FOR THE FUTURE

Emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, are becoming our allies in this endeavour. These innovations are instrumental in helping us analyse massive datasets and develop ground-breaking solutions. There has also been massive developments in the energy space with things like electric cars, pumped hydro storage, tidal wave energy and so on which have substantially cut the environmental impact of traditional energy.

In Conclusion

Our shared journey towards sustainability is neither brief nor simple, yet the promise it holds for our future is worth every step. It’s a promise of healthier lives, robust economies, and a preserved natural world for the generations yet to come. Every challenge we encounter is a call for innovation, an opportunity to learn, and a step forward in our collective journey.

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