Andrew Doyle
Country Director for Transportation, Egis in Ireland
Learn about the framework that prioritises a systematic approach to reducing the impact of infrastructure projects on the environment.
Egis, a global architecture consulting, construction engineering and operating firm, is seeking to reach net zero by 2050 and wants all its projects to be 100% ‘eco-designed’ by 2030. According to Andrew Doyle, Country Director of Transportation, ‘eco-designed’ refers to the application of a proprietary framework and systematic approach to mitigating the adverse impacts of infrastructure on the environment and strengthening its resilience to climate risks.
Environmental considerations for infrastructure design
Egis’ proprietary Act4EcoDesign framework requires a series of primary environmental considerations to be applied during infrastructure design, development and operation. “By systemising an eco-design approach to engineering, in construction supervision and operation, we can realise the significant role engineers and operators play in mitigating the impacts of climate change and adaptation to climate risks,” Doyle explains.
Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals and EU Environmental Objectives Taxonomy, seven environmental pillars underpin the framework – carbon, adaptation to climate change, biodiversity, circular economy and resources, energy and water, pollution, soil sealing and land conversion. “A project is considered eco-designed if it reaches a minimum level of achievement on at least four of the environmental pillars,” Doyle says.
A project is considered eco-designed if it
reaches a minimum level of achievement
on at least four of the environmental pillars.
Sustainability on track
The company is actively involved in sustainable public transport design, in projects across Ireland’s intercity, light rail and bus services, plus active travel networks. The company recently completed preliminary designs for the extension of Dublin’s Luas system to Finglas, now submitted to An Bord Pleanála, and, as Doyle explains, this project is a “great example of the application of our eco-design approach.”
The 3.9km route will transport 440,000 commuters daily and will connect Broombridge to the M50 in 13 minutes with four new stops along the way. The design for the extension includes a 350-space park-and-ride facility, featuring PV Panels to support EV charging, new walking and cycling ways and connection to Dart+, rail, bus and active travel networks.
Sustainable design and biodiversity
Several steps are also being taken to reduce carbon emissions including the use of a specific grass track type, low-carbon concrete and sustainable drainage systems. Around 4,000 cubic metres of site-won material will be reused while the project should also deliver a net biodiversity gain with new trees being planted and new habitats created.
“The Luas Finglas designs reflect Egis and Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s shared commitment to sustainability. The designs emphasise environmental, social and biodiversity requirements to ensure the planned new route delivers for the communities it serves, enabling social and economic growth while protecting native ecosystems, the area’s cultural heritage and the environment,” Doyle says.
