LC How did you become involved in this project? Is this the first time CHM has participated in a project of this type and scale, or have you already carried projects similar to LIFE?
GA. It all started with a call from Javier Mira, ITC-AICE habitat coordinator to our R&+D manager at that time, Antonio José Pérez. Javier briefly outlined the project to him, and after a period of consideration and an inhouse study, we decided to come onboard.
CHM has spent many years researching investment opportunities with funders such as CDTI and MINECO, but this has been our first LIFE project. We are currently also working on a LIFE HEARTLAND project that aims to develop a new type of road surfacing material to reduce the impact of the so-called heat island effect in cities.
LC. You were very respectful towards the general public in conducting this project. How has your relationship with the public evolved? Did the project encounter negativity, curiosity or acceptance?
GA. While we were carrying out the work I would say the word that would best define public perception of it would be EXPECTATION – the idea of a paving material capable of draining water into an underground tank is striking enough to get people asking questions.
This was no surprise since we had put up posters describing the work being carried out in the area as well as the characteristics of the paving material and drainage systems. Once the work was complete we didn’t receive any feedback about it at all. Based on my experience, that is best sign of the public being happy with the end result
LC. What kind of technical problems did you encounter during the course of the work?
GA. The main issue with the cobblestones was that the nature of the ceramic material meant they had to be cut very carefully to prevent the layers from separating, especially in the case of oblique cuts.
Workmen had to work very carefully with this material in order to avoid dropping the cobblestones during handling, as they are very fragile.
As in any urban development project, many unexpected issues arose, particularly with regard to service connections. Very few projects have plans showing all the different existing service networks, and this inevitably leads to subsequent additional costs in terms of breakages, poor performance, etc.
LC. Life Cersuds is a project designed to combat the effects of climate change. Do you think the construction industry in general should be focusing more on that goal? Do you think we still have a long way to go in this area? Do you think these issues are being taken into account?
GA. Yes, we should focus more on these goals and try to implement the SUDS concept in all kinds of construction, from parks to housing developments. In answer to your question, yes, we still have a huge way to go. This area is vast and with many unknowns, but it has been seeping into the consciousness of industry professionals, construction companies and society at large over recent years. It is becoming more normal to hear people talking about draining road surfaces, green roofs, etc.
This can also be seen in the increasing number of requests from public authorities for these concepts to be taken into consideration in their projects.
LC Do you think that public authorities are sufficiently committed in this area?
GA. I think they are, but we still have a long road ahead of us. Firm steps are being taken, and the best proof of this is in the legislation being passed in this area, which must be followed.
However, it is another question as to whether or not the funding is available to enable widespread implementation of models like ours
LC What would be your ideal project?
That’s easy to answer, although difficult in practice. As well as a project having a firm foundation in all aspects (technical, aesthetic, financial, etc.) the main players – construction company, works manager and developer – must form a good team without any clashes of ego, be well coordinated and be sufficiently openminded to be able to resolve any unforeseen situations that may arise during the course of the work. Unfortunately, after 25 years in this field, I can count the number of projects like this on one hand.