SuDS Planting and Soils Masterclass - BRISTOL

SuDS Planting and Soils Masterclass

Planting and soils in SuDS are far more than green icing on the SuDS cake, so often a secondary consideration compared to hydraulic performance. Planting, soils, and the relationship between the two, are actually critical components of SuDS that can help deliver and maintain hydraulic functionality of the system whilst obviously having the potential to deliver the range of multiple benefits that healthy planting is well known for.

This masterclass explores how to choose, design and specify both planting and soils to strike the right balance between healthy and successful planting, and hydraulic functionality in SuDS features.

It unpicks the different approaches to planting and soils in SuDS that have emerged over the past decade and challenges the engineering assumptions and requirements that often result in compromised systems that create hostile, drought-susceptible environments for planting and trees.

Kevin and Tim will empower designers to choose from a range of planting styles whilst selecting and specifying appropriate soils or substrates for the planting aspirations, the site, sustainability, maintenance and hydraulic requirements of different SuDS features.

Drawing on decades of dedicated SuDS-landscape design and landscape-led soil science, we will share industry-leading knowledge and experience in an interactive and engaging masterclass with practical, applied learning activities.

Who is this masterclass for?

• Landscape architects: learn how to design planting and soils within the framework of SuDS functionality and be empowered to collaborate effectively with engineers to challenge some of the drainage thinking that often leads to poor results – not only in tree and plant health, but also, ironically, in hydraulic performance. Design planting in SuDS with creativity, opportunity, resilience and sustainability in mind without being hobbled by the drainage functionality.
• Soil specialists: understand the balance between hydraulic functionality of soils, their pollution treatment role and the relationship between these and plant choices.
• Engineers: learn about the range of possible soils and substrates that can be deployed in different SuDS feature types, their hydraulic implications and how to collaborate with landscape architects and soils specialists to ensure that the right balance is struck to deliver SuDS that meet all of the seven new SuDS standards and all ‘four pillars of SuDS’.
• Anyone else with an interest: All of the above!

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