Air Quality Taskforce
On 22 February 2016, new figures were released showing that poor air quality contributed to 40,000 early deaths across the UK. The news should come as a shock, but the issue is increasingly seen as an unavoidable cost, particularly of living in the capital with new worrying statistics on the cost of airborne pollutants released regularly.
Every year it takes only a few days for a number of central areas in London to breach the annual EU legal limits. Figures by Kings College London show that 52,000 life-years were lost due to man-made particulate matter in London. And the associated cost is astronomical – it’s estimated that issues relating to air pollution cost the economy £15 billion a year, similar to the cost of obesity or alcohol abuse.
The motor vehicle is the main culprit of London’s growing air pollution crisis, particularly those with diesel engines. Half of all nitrogen oxides, which cause respiratory problems and reduced immunity to lung infections, are caused by cars, with diesel engines producing four times as much as petrol vehicles. With traffic increasing on London’s roads, particularly HGVs, it seems harmful emissions quantities will continue to rise.
So far, air pollution is not an issue that the built environment has been particularly vocal on, but the way we shape and design our cities is directly linked to finding a solution to the issue. Whether it’s the better use of natural assets like rivers, the promotion of green infrastructure or better town planning, there are a number of ways the industry can make a difference.
With transport infrastructure, we must be sure that future schemes, which we design and build, are not contributing to the growing problem by adding to congestion. Plans to pedestrianise, create more cycle routes or increase road charges must be carefully considered to see how effective they can be in tackling poor air quality. Fundamentally, these are questions of what infrastructure we put in place to ensure that a growing city is not a polluting one.
Inside the industry, we must look at how our practices can be adapted. A significant amount of air pollution, such as particle matter emissions, comes from construction sites which, when close to residential areas, can pose serious health risks. Assessing how the industry can minimise and mitigate these risks is an essential way we can play our part, as is considering the use of new technologies and the changing habits and movements of the general public.
The new Air Quality Taskforce, established by ICE London, will look into all these issues. Its aim is to provide recommendations on what the built environment, and specifically civil engineers, can do to combat air pollution in the city.
The Taskforce brings together a number of civil engineering experts and environmental specialists and will provide a holistic approach to the issue, examining what must be done to make London a healthier place to live.
Members of the Taskforce:
- Chair: Peter Hansford, Former ICE President and Chief Construction Advisor
- Simon Birkett , Founder and Director, Clean Air in London
- James Bulleid, Group Work Winning Director, Costain
- Tony Caccavone, Programme Director, Heathrow
- Nigel Earnshaw, Asset Management Director, Black & Veatch
- Ralph Goldney, Managing Director, Goldney Associates
- Paul Gregory, Project Director, Sir Robert McAlpine
- Prashant Kumar, Reader, University of Surrey
- Francesca Medda, Director of Transport & Infrastructure Studies, UCL
- Suzanne Moroney, London Director, ICE
- Heleni Pantelidou, Associate Geotechnical Engineer, Arup
- Ken Simmonds, Divisional Director, Regional Investment Programme, Highways England
- Jean Venables, Director, Venables Consultancy
This article originally appeared as It’s time for the built environment to start thinking about air quality, published by the Institution of Civil Engineers on 29 February 2016. It was written by Peter Hansford, Former ICE President and Chief Construction Adviser.
--The Institution of Civil Engineers
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki:
- Air change rates.
- Air quality.
- BREEAM Indoor air quality plan.
- BREEAM Indoor air quality Ventilation.
- BREEAM Indoor pollutants VOCs.
- BSRIA responds to UK Air Pollution Report.
- Clean indoor air for healthy living - New air filter standards.
- Building related illness.
- Engineering Cleaner Air.
- Environmental impact assessment.
- Fresh air.
- Health effects of indoor air quality on children and young people.
- Indoor environmental quality.
- Institution of Civil Engineers.
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.