Sustainable Drainage schemes or SuDS!

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I am not convinced by the acronym SuDS (it all sounds a bit too much like soapy bathwater to me!) but the thought processes behind this sustainable approach to urban drainage are  commendable.

Vegetated swale to capture drainage water Image ASLA

What is SuDs?  SuDS is an environmentally sound way of stormwater management which avoids the problems associated with conventional drainage practice. Conventional drainage exacerbates flooding, causes pollution and is generally more expensive to install and to maintain than Sustainable Drainage Schemes.

Permeable paving as part of a SuDs Image

 Sustainable Drainage schemes do not contribute to flooding, they encourage wildlife and provide visually attractive and educational amenities in the form of wetland habitat, which is increasingly under threat.

Intereting topic so hope to post more soon... In the meantime, Irish landscape architects should note the following: On the 8th and 9th February 2012, the Irish Landscape Institute is running an intensive course that will cover the background, principles and maintenance of SuDS systems.  This will include a site visit on day 2 on retrofitting SuDS on unfinished developments in the Dublin North Fringe area. A workshop to develop practical approaches to assessing design options will follow. Course outcomes will be relevant to the development of Local Area Plans and site resolution plans. The course will be of interest to landscape architects, engineers, architects, planners, environmental consultants.

Who is lecturering: Bob Bray, Robert Bray Associates (UK).  Bob is a Landscape Architect with his own private practice, who since 1996 has been prominent in the design, management and promotion of SuDS for a diverse range of developments. He has previously provided SuDS training for CIRIA in the UK and Ireland and for Landscape Architects throughout the UK. He is currently providing training for the newly-published UK SuDS standards.

Course cost: Early Registration received by 31st January 2012: €220 for members of ILI and Urban Forum, €275 for non-members.  Registration after 31st January 2012: €270 for members of ILI and Urban Forum,  €350 for non-members. Unwaged & student members’ rate: €70 (limited places available).  Costs includes: Lunch, tea/coffee, parking, all course materials and CPD certificate for 12 structured hours.

LAND ART

Land Art can take a multitude of scales and forms.  It can either be designed to be a relatively  long-lasting intervention in to the landscape or it may be an ephemeral creation or event.  

Andy Goldsworhty: continuous grass stalk line held to mud-covered rocks with thorns Image

In each case, the artist recognises that the installation will interact with its environment discolouring and decaying over time.  That is part of the appeal of this art form.    Often artists will simply choose to use the materials that are available at the location of construction, so it is common for land art to be made from natural materials that biodegrade. 
 

Human Nest by Jean Conroy Image

Striking contrasts can be created by using materials in such a way that they seem to be completely at odds with the existing scene and this can make for compelling work.
 

Sylvain Meyer installation Image

I think that this type of art is great as any one can have a go; it can easily be a group activity and you don't need to have an artist's studio in which to create your work or a gallery in which to exhibit it.

Finally, whilst ephemeral interventions have largely captured the "land art" epithet, I feel that longer lasting interventions and indeed those installations operating at a larger scale or as part of landscape masterplans equally deseve our attention as artistic creations.

Labyrinth in Barretstown by Austen Associates (that's me!)

 

The way the fairies went in Sneem by Irish sculptor John Scanlon (pic. by me)

Boardwalk by Turenscape, China Image

Arboricultural Association Seminar: Future Trees

Urban trees                                                                       Photo Source: Neparze

What? This one day seminar will focus on how improved guidance is changing the way in which trees are produced, planted, and successfully established in the urban environment. Key to this will be the increasing role of Arboriculturists in cooperation with related professionals in nursery production, landscaping, landscape architecture, engineering, and planning. Speakers will be: Keith Sacre, of Barcham Trees, who is the driving force behind the forthcoming BS 8545 standard dealing with the production and establishment of young trees and Martin Kelly, Land Planning Director of Capita Symonds, and who is the Founder and Chair of the Trees Design Action Group, a network of diverse stakeholders including public and private sector groups, promoting the benefits of trees in the built environment.

The Tree Design Action Group's website is well worth a visit.  They have lots of useful information on the the policy and planning aspects of tree planting in urban areas and guidance for the preservation and protection of large trees.  These are kindly given as free pdf downloads.

They are "seeking integrated, joined up thinking, strategies, policies and implementation in relation to trees in the urban realm...the guidance set out by the Trees & Design Action Group is intended to inform decision making so that the right specimens of the right trees are planted in the right way in the right places and given the right aftercare and maintenance – trees can then truly be one of the urban realm’s greatest allies."

When? 26 January 2012

Where? Conference Centre, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin.

This seminar will be of special interest to consultant and contracting Arboriculturists, Landscape Architects and Contractors, Park Superintendents, those in the Tree Production and Supply Industry, Architects, Environmental Engineers, and Planners.

Further information: Arboricultural Association Irish Branch.

Phone: +353 (0) 1 2742011
E-mail: arborist@eircom.net

Snowy scenes!

Snowy woodland scene                                                                  Image Source

 

Robin red breast                                                                                Image Source

Snowy labyrinth                                                                                Image source

Snowman!                                                                                          Image Source

 Simply, why I like our landscapes in winter.  Happy Christmas 2011!