Regenerative Civil Design
Discover our Level 3 approach to civil engineering design that supports a more resilient built environment.
How can a civil engineer contribute to more resilient cities?
Today, the typical civil engineering design involves Water Sensitive Urban Design and on-site stormwater detention for each development, aiming to meet legislated minimum standards. While this 1990s-based approach is safe we ask: what more could be done?
Australian civil infrastructure design, much like early agriculture, was imported from Britain in colonial times. Directing all runoff into drains has been proven to degrade the landscape in agricultural settings – the exact opposite of what the land needs. Regenerative agriculture emerged in the 1980s to address this, demonstrating significant environmental benefits and landscape restoration through natural interventions.
Civil engineering faces the same challenge. In dry urban environments where the heat island effect worsens with every new subdivision, road widening, and rail duplication, civil design isn't keeping pace with ecological needs.
Regenerative design principles
Taking inspiration from regenerative agricultural practices, this approach assists in restoring urban landscapes towards pre-colonial conditions. This promotes green vegetation for longer during summer, reduces fire risk, leads to less dry grass and maintenance, less die-off, and significantly reduces stormwater runoff.
Some examples of how this looks in practice include contour berms, leaky weirs, kerb openings, grassed permeable paving, and landscape areas designed below kerb levels.
In an urban setting, regenerative civil and landscape design provides crucial heat and environmental resilience by storing water in the landscape instead of draining it away.
An ally for the landscape architect
Often a "push and pull" dynamic exists between standard civil engineering design and landscape design. While these disciplines should be most closely collaborating, the relationship often feels far more distant and full of compromise.
A typical civil design prioritises low-maintenance paving and efficient piped stormwater removal. To maximise space and limit earthworks, batter slopes are often specified at their steepest. Meanwhile, the landscape design struggles to adapt, needing areas for planting where runoff isn't directed, often leading to reduced soil biodiversity and a compromised vision.
We are changing this with Regenerative Civil Design. We ensure runoff can enter and be utilised by the landscape throughout the design, leading to a superior outcome for both civil and landscape, and the environment. This often negates the need for expensive, end-of-line treatment systems.
Our philosophy elevates our thinking beyond standard practice. Instead of civil engineers "getting in the way," we work seamlessly towards a common objective with landscape architects. The civil engineer becomes an ally for the landscape architect, providing the necessary technical justifications and compliance to achieve a design vision and approval from authorities.
Benefits for asset owners
Our Regenerative Civil Design approach delivers significant advantages that align with a clients strategic goals while contributing to a more resilient urban environment.
Enhanced Urban Resilience
Provides crucial heat and environmental resilience by storing water in the landscape, creating cooler, greener, and more adaptable urban spaces.
Cost Efficiency & Reduced Maintenance
Often negates the need for expensive underground detention tanks, filters, or raingardens that demand ongoing maintenance, filter changes, or material replacements to meet pollution reduction targets. This translates to long-term operational savings.
Ecological Restoration & Biodiversity
Actively contributes to healthier ecosystems, increased natural habitat, and improved urban amenity.
Future-Proofing Infrastructure
Designs that are inherently more adaptable to changing climate conditions, reducing long-term risks and liabilities.
Alignment with Sustainability & Net-Zero Goals
Demonstrates leadership in environmental stewardship and helps achieve compliance with government decarbonisation and green infrastructure strategies.
Meet our expert
Ready to transform your urban landscapes?
We have already begun working collaboratively with Councils to update standards and are actively applying these transformative principles to new infrastructure designs.
Partner with us to integrate Regenerative Civil Design into your next project.