Redefining the post-pandemic public realm The pandemic has heralded a fundamental rethink of our public realm showing that a fresh approach is needed to designing the spaces between buildings with multifunctional and long-life but adaptable solutions, ready to meet climate change requirements – as the trade association Interpave explains.
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APART FROM TEMPORARY MEASURES for social distancing, the pandemic has accelerated implementation of issues raised in the past but put on the back-burner. They include active travel (walking, cycling and the ‘15-minute neighbourhood’), low traffic neighbourhoods (reflecting previously adopted home zones) and reinvention of the high street (responding to the growth in on-line shopping). However, a range of wider concerns centred on climate change also need to be addressed in an integrated approach, such as flooding, watercourse pollutants, carbon reduction, air pollution and urban overheating. Measures to deal with these issues are now being implemented by local authorities in planning policies and masterplans.
Replacing temporary measures During the pandemic, local authorities acted quickly with temporary measures for cyclists and socialdistancing pedestrians, manifested with a sea of cones, barriers, road closures and surface planters. Inevitably, these measures were far from ideal and many have proved unpopular. Hurriedly-widened footways with upstand kerbs running along the centre are just one example. Understandably, there was a reluctance to commit to expensive and disruptive permanent changes which often take some time to implement – perhaps Retrofitting permeable paving as an overlay makes new use of existing road bases or other years – and quickly become outdated. Now, a more hard surfaces below, and their embedded carbon flexible approach is anticipated with permanent but adaptable paving solutions, applicable both to regeneration and new developments. Adopting the principles of ‘modern and accessibility for all, with scope for endless variety in shape, scale, methods of construction’, factory-produced modular concrete paving colour and texture to enrich the urban environment creating real ‘places offers a solution, delivering fast, low-cost installation, including limitedfor people’. intervention retrofits. Sustainable drainage solutions Importantly in these uncertain times, layouts can easily be altered Urban flooding from rainwater runoff and surcharging sewers is a and modular concrete paving taken up and re-used to meet changing growing problem with climate change. In response, concrete block demands, while meeting ‘circular economy’ criteria for carbon reduction. permeable paving in particular will become far more widespread as This principle generally applies to all precast concrete block, flag and a uniquely flexible sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) technique. kerb products. Distinct, modular units and designed variations in colour, It provides an inherent drainage system with no additional land take texture and shape can break up areas giving visual interest and a human for water storage, treatment or conveyance, and eliminates pipework, scale not possible with monotonous, formless materials. So, modular gulleys and manholes – therefore costing less than conventional drainage concrete paving delivers a unique combination of predictability, safety and paving. Essentially, this technology shares the same impressive performance as conventional modular concrete paving products, being slip resistant, durable, strong and sustainable. The difference with permeable paving is enlarged joints, filled with a permeable aggregate, and the materials used below the blocks, which are specifically selected to accommodate water without clogging. Concrete block permeable paving is unlike – and not to be confused with – permeable materials, which behave very differently. Concrete block permeable paving can be laid level and still avoid puddles and potholes, or adapt to slopes. It provides a safe, firm surface for everyone – including wheelchair users and people pushing prams – unlike gravel and other loose materials. It is also the preferred option around trees, rather than tree grilles, according to BS8300-1 (2018).
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