Rethinking our approach to public infrastructure for community well-being
August 01, 2024
How sustainable approaches to public infrastructure and asset renewal are transforming communities by improving our well-being and environment
Sustainable design isn’t just a buzzword; it’s about building resilient, efficient, and environmentally friendly public works. From roads and sports clubs to parks and squares, public infrastructure is important for the well-being of our communities.
But climate change and growing populations are changing things. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, 79 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are related to infrastructure.
We need new, more sustainable approaches to public infrastructure. What can we change now to make life better for the next generation?
Councils are now looking at their planning. They’re considering how buildings, plant life, and roads impact people’s well-being. They’re providing more public transport options, watering parks and sports fields with recycled water, planting trees to reduce temperatures, and building roads with recycled materials.
Sustainable public infrastructure improves people’s lives. But it does more. It can save money by reducing energy use and maintenance costs. Let’s dig into a few ways we’re doing this. We’ll look at things like prioritising sustainable transport, recycling wastewater, reducing temperatures in our cities, and using recycled materials more.
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The colorful, iconic bathing boxes at Dendy Street Beach Renourishment in Melbourne.
Prioritising sustainable transport
The way we think about transport is changing.
People want different transport options. So, councils are giving people ways to get around besides cars. This is especially important in busy cities. They’re thinking about walking, cycling, buses, trains, and trams at the start of the planning and designing process.
More bike lanes, footpaths, and public transport have many benefits. They improve accessibility, create a sense of community, increase local employment opportunities, and improve well-being by getting people out and about. Instead of being stuck inside cars on congested roads, they can get outside and enjoy some fresh air.
Reducing the number of cars on the roads reduces traffic jams and pollution. According to the International Transport Forum, carbon emissions from transport will grow by almost 20 percent by 2050. But walking, cycling, and public transport are some of the lowest producers of greenhouse gas per person per kilometre according to Transport for NSW.
The Woy Woy Wharf Redevelopment in New South Wales. (Image courtesy Central Coast Newspaper)
Recycling wastewater and stormwater
There are new ways to conserve, treat, and recycle wastewater and stormwater. Often, it can be used to water parks and sports fields and fill swimming pools. This is a sustainable and cost-effective option for maintaining public infrastructure.
We can also use stormwater to water trees in our streets, shopping strips, and car parks. This will keep temperatures down while adding shade and beautifying communities. Filtrating stormwater through rain gardens also improves the health of waterways.
In the US, the Alewife Reservation Stormwater Wetland manages storm runoff and acts as an ecological filter. The project manages stormwater, eliminates combined sewer overflows, and repairs the environment. It’s a great example of using stormwater infrastructure within the natural environment.
Wetlands can also prevent localised flooding. This is more important than ever, with extreme storms happening more often because of climate change.
New ways to reduce temperatures in cities
We should add more plant life to streets and public spaces. And we should create more parklands and wetlands. Why? It helps reduce city temperatures.
In big cities, temperatures can be 1°C to 3°C higher than in rural areas, says the Government of NSW. Higher temperatures mean increased energy use and air pollution. They’re also bad for people’s health.
We need to think differently when it comes to adding more greenery to our cities.
Growing rooftop gardens and walls can reduce temperatures inside and outside buildings. Public water features, like fountains and artificial streams and ponds, can also cool down the surrounding areas. In Perth, One The Esplanade has achieved a 6 Star Green Star certification. That’s thanks to features like the Indigenous garden on its rooftop, designed in partnership with the local Whadjuk Working Group.
Installing solar panels on roofs also provides renewable energy while keeping the buildings below them cooler. Using reflective materials in our roofs, roads, footpaths, and public spaces makes outdoor areas more comfortable on hot days.
One The Esplanade’s podium rooftop has an Indigenous Garden and a facade that balances views, glare, and energy efficiency. (Architect: Hassell)
Using recycled materials in roads and paved areas
Councils are also using recycled materials in unique ways. For instance, when constructing roads. As more people recognise the importance of reducing waste, this is a great way to add public infrastructure while recycling.
These recycled materials include rubber, toner (ink cartridges), recycled glass or plastic in asphalt pavements; and recycled concrete and building materials like clay bricks. One example is our upgrade of Northbourne Avenue, a major arterial road and the gateway to Canberra. This was repaved using recycled asphalt, which was faster and more cost-effective than traditional construction methods.
Better yet? The National Transport Research Organisation says using recycled materials can also lead to fewer potholes and road failures, thus boosting durability.
Using recycled asphalt to rehabilitate the pavement on Northbourne Avenue in Canberra.
Creative approaches for a better future
Thinking differently is key to sustainable public infrastructure. More public transport options, planting more trees, using recycled materials in construction, and energy-efficient buildings can all improve people’s health and well-being. These decisions can also reduce costs and extend the life of assets.
We can imagine a future where sustainable practices are a key part of all public infrastructure projects. It happens when designers think about the environmental, economic, and social elements of sustainability.
The goal? Create infrastructure that meets community needs now and those of future generations.