Spotlight

As we face a future where resources become limited and opinions are ever more divisive, emphasis must be placed on delivering projects that holistically serve our communities and help them to thrive. So, how can civil engineers help aid the development of social infrastructure that tackles issues such as geographical inequality and disproportionate access to important services like healthcare? Time and time again, the idea of a place-based approach is advocated for in modern policy documents across the EU and OECD. The concept aims to improve integration across services, helping to reduce inequalities by addressing and supporting communities’ specific needs. A place-based approach shifts the question from “what asset do we need?” to “what services or solutions could better serve this community?” For civil and infrastructure engineers, our role is to design and deliver infrastructure that suits these needs. An important aspect of this is community engagement – because who knows better the needs of the community, than the people living within it? Such input holds the power to make a good project great, which is why we must use their input to craft our approach to infrastructure. A good example of where a place-based approach has worked is in Glasgow, Scotland, with the construction of Stockingfield Bridge, a footbridge and cycle path across the Forth & Clyde Canal. This project delivered immense social value to the area, reconnecting communities over the canal for the first time in over 200 years, removing a longstanding barrier and enabling everyday interaction. Beyond this, the project also provided safe, accessible walking and cycling routes which in turn improved access to jobs, green space and services by the communities the bridge serves. Active community engagement helped shape this project, with local residents sharing views on various aspects of the project, such as the design, public realm and art features. This created a sense of ownership and pride, transforming the bridge into a shared place rather than just a crossing. Such an approach could be mirrored in towns and cities globally, and illustrates the way infrastructure can holistically support communities. A place-based approach challenges many of the ingrained working practices that have become the norm across the built environment sector. When working with constrained budgets and timeframes, community engagement can feel like a nice-to-have. But, the infrastructure we design and deliver needs to have people and users at its heart – so taking the time to understand end-users needs is imperative. The good news is that programmes designed to address this gap are being established across the globe. Early planning and collaborative working between public sector bodies and private development partners enable projects to be aligned with local priorities. The Scottish Futures Trust’s hub programme is creating regional hubs across Scotland. It aims to emphasise long-term partnerships aimed at delivering integrated community outcomes rather than individual assets. Reflecting goals set out in sector strategies, such as those set out by the ICE, successful infrastructure can be defined in principles such as trusted, sustainable and intelligent. A place-based approach to infrastructure requires commitment to all three of these principles and, if done well, could turn infrastructure into a catalyst for social cohesion and regeneration. Like what you've read? To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. Have your say or a new account to join the discussion.