construction and the natural environment?

Question

What different features of the natural environment need to be considered at the planning stage of a construction project and why?

Answer 1

Seismic features - You don't want to build on or near an active fault.

Water features - You don't want to build near a flood area.

Biological features - You want to minimize the impact you have on surrounding habitats.

Meteorological features - You don't want to build in areas prone to severe weather or you want to be able to plan to build something resistant to to severe weather.

Answer 2

Features Of The Natural Environment

Answer 3

Depending upon your country of origin planning laws may differ. It also depends upon the location and scale of the project. My answer is based upon UK planning of which I have some knowledge but I must admit I am not a planner, I am a sustainability consultant.

For major projects you would almost certianly have to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), this would take into consideration the impact of the development on flora, fauna, geology and hydrology in it's local environment. More often these days planning also requires a sustainability statement and an assessment undertaken on the design of the development itself (BREEAM in the UK). These usually incorporate an assessment of the effect on local ecology and also any positive or negative shift in ecology as a result of the development.

The location of the site will also play a part as development on brownfield sites can also have a negative impact upon the natural environment due to mobilisation of contaminants held in the soil (usually as a result of disturbance from development. Brownfield sites will usually require a Phase I desk study follwed (if necessary) by a Phase II intrusive investigation. If significant contamination is found a Phase III risk assessment and remediation strategy will be required. Obviously this will have a positive effect upon the natural environment. As the other post mentions, a flood risk assessment will also be required however you can still build on a flood plain provided that you raise the level of the site to above that of the level of a 1in100 year flood (usual standard is 600mm above this level). You can check whether your site/home is in a flood risk area at the Environment Agency website.

For smaller stand alone and infill projects the requirements are usually less onerous however a requirement for a sustainability appraisal is becoming more common.

For further information check out the Planning Portal Website, edie.net and the ends directory (www.ends.co.uk). The BRE website also has information of sustainability assessments.

Hope this helps