The principles of residential settlement in a mixed urban environment have been long debated, planned and aspired towards. Here the development of a conceptual master-plan for live/work urban community into reality is being achieved.
Detailed design and phased construction over the next decade will use principles of sustainability in their broadest sense, comprising SuDS for surface water drainage, energy management systems for efficient service supplies, and the use of construction materials from sustainable/managed sources.
AKS Ward are delighted to be involved with this project and are responsible for the civil engineering infrastructure aspects including roads, drainage, and services. We are also being engaged as structural engineers for the detailed design and build of many of the development tranches.
Worthy of special note is the approach taken in the planning and detailed design of the highway layout. Building form and layout is used in conjunction with variable road widths and amorphous junction geometry to limit forward visibility with a subsequent reduction in vehicle speed, which improves road safety and leads to enhanced pedestrian security. These emerging principles have become enshrined in the new ‘Manual for Streets’ design guide now being promoted by highway authorities as examples of best practice.
