Lisa Sawyer was a guest on a panel at Public Spaces Expo in London.
Lisa was invited to give a talk about the future of SuDS at Public Spaces Expo, which took place earlier this month at Excel London.
The Expo focuses on the design, development and revitalisation of public spaces, such as parks, streets, plazas, and other communal areas, serving as a space to discuss best practices, sustainability, inclusivity, and how public spaces can contribute to community well-being.
How we move from policy to practice and make SuDS a central part of climate-resilient, sustainable places was on the agenda.
Lisa said: “It was interesting to discuss the impact the new National SuDS Standards will have from different angles whether that’s of landscape architects, drainage designers, contractors or maintenance bodies.
“We talked about the lack of skills within the industry on good SuDS design and construction, especially around BNG and how integral this is to the design of SuDS if they are to make any impact.
“We also discussed the importance of understanding the maintenance regime from the very beginning. This ensures that the right plants are selected, materials are replaced as needed over time, and the space around SuDS features remains functional throughout its lifecycle.
“Additionally, we emphasized that designing SuDS shouldn't fall solely on the drainage engineer. It requires a collaborative approach, where all the designers involved in a project work together to ensure the system is effectively integrated into the overall design.”
SuDS are not simply a drainage requirement to be buried underground. They are opportunities to reshape places to integrate biodiversity, to reduce the costs of construction and to create better environments for people.
Lisa Sawyer, Land Studio Director & Civil Engineer