Event overview

Sustainable drainage is a concept that includes long term environmental and social factors in decisions about drainage. It takes account of the quantity and quality of runoff, and the amenity value of surface water in the urban environment. Many existing urban drainage systems can cause problems of flooding, pollution or damage to the environment and are not proving to be sustainable. Given the uncertainty regarding the projected effects of climate change there is a need to develop solutions that will ensure the SuDS schemes are able to deal with changes over the course of their life.

This event, organised jointly by the Modern Built Environment and Environmental Sustainability Knowledge Transfer Networks will address innovation and technological development in relation to the SuDS agenda. High profile speakers will address the legislative, technological and systemic aspects of this complex area in order to bring delegates up to date with developments relating to an important area of water management. Following the presentations and networking lunch there be workshop sessions focussed on potential project generation. At the end of the event there will be an opportunity to tour the BRE Innovation Park.

Who should attend?

The event will be of interest to local authority planners, consultants and contractors and will also feature exhibition stands of manufacturers of SuDS-related equipment.

Exhibitor opportunities

If your organisation has an innovative products or process you would like to exhibit, please contact Philip Charles of the MBE KTN on philip.charles@modernbuiltktn.co.uk. Exhibition space is free, but spaces are limited.

Exhibitors already confirmed are ACO Technologies plc, Hydro International, Micro Drainage, Polypipe, Addagrip, CED Ltd, Easylay Paving and Hanson Formpave

Event programme

10.00    Registration, refreshments and exhibition

10.30    Welcome & introduction: the context of the new Flood and Water Management Act - Carolyn Roberts, Environmental Sustainability KTN

10.40    Keynote presentation and implementation of SuDS - Alistair Moseley (former Chair of CIWEM)

11.00    SuDS situation report - Tim Ingram, Defra

11.15    Technical (design) guidance - Alex Stephenson, Hydro International

11.30    Manufacturer perspective - Neill Robinson, ACO Technologies plc

11.45    Landscape perspective - David Singleton, DSA Environment & Design

12.00    Q&A with speakers

12.30    Lunch and exhibition

13.30    Introduction to workshops – overview of process, highlighting of funding opportunities

13.40    Workshops in parallel, themed with respect to potential project generation

15.40    Plenary session

16.00    Summary and close followed by optional tour of the Innovation Park