Utilities & Infrastructure Policy Challenge. Nicola Coppen. POLICY FELLOWSHIPS PROGRAMME: Civil or public servants with responsibility for policy or service design in any sector, with the ability to influence and impact public policy in their field.
THE CHALLENGE
How could infrastructure & utilities issues be considered far earlier in the concept and planning processes to: Reduce disruption later in the project Enable the best opportunities of time, cost, quality or environmental benefits (e.g. in the quest for a Zero Carbon Westminster).
Increase air quality, better delivery of services, building of quality developments - across the borough.
CONTEXT
As
part
of
a
new
London-wide
infrastructure
coordination service in partnership with the GLA & Mayor of London, my role at Westminster City Council involved
facilitating liaison between developers & infrastructure asset owners to proactively plan, design & construct London’s infrastructure.
By providing design advice & coordination, informing local
policy
implementating
and
plans,
innovative
and
developing
infrastructure
and
that
AT A GLANCE Challenges Planning Authority & Planning Applicants - better guidance for utility requirements
Utilities being delivered late or returning work for additional projects - prolonged or repeats of disruptions Developers & Land Owners often delegate roles via a Land Agent or Project Consultants how do we affect change?
Outcomes Planning Guidance incorporates a Utility Impact Assessment. Ability for major projects to
utility requirements.
collaborate, making time & cost savings for all. Stakeholder engagement & Utility Process coaching Enabling change with less disruption, less frustration and better results.
sharing cable routes or delivery of goods; enabling
SUCCESS BY-PRODUCT
contributes to more liveable, health, sustainable and biodiverse places.
SYSTEMS THINKING IMPACT
Ability to plot, demonstrate and coordinate project Collaboration between close development projects in savings in delivery costs, reduced disruption time for large vehicle deliveries & sharing cost of the bulk of routes for utilities.
Planning guidance inclusion for earlier consideration
of utilities and infrastructure in the pre-application for Planning Permission. Support
available
from to
Consultants,
the
the
Land
Infrastructure Local
Agents,
Coordinator
Authority,
Contractors
is
Developer, &
other
stakeholders - for the overall goal of successful project delivery.
Identifying streamlined options through discussion and systems thinking.
Creating best practice through project experience at all
stages
of
the
Project
(Inception,
Construction, Completion & Handover).
Feasibility,
Systems Engineering offers a simplistic view to teach complicated processes or to overcome challenges. Recognition of the elements to reach a goal & seeing thier interlinking & relationship offers behaviour change R E S U L Tof the success, as a by-product which then helps with the next scenario. Systems Thinking is a great skill and the Policy Challenge is my career goal as it improves the Utilities Industry.