This represents a significant shiſt from reactive solutions to proactive, integrated systems that enhance the urban environment.
“St Mary’s Community Centre is a visible example of how this works in practice and demonstrates what sustainable drainage means. The planters are proving to be very robust, and we’ve had positive feedback from the community, particularly about the cloud trays - kids love seeing them in action when it’s raining.
“They have also given us a massive biodiversity boost and helped us give something back to the community rather than just a grey pipe in the ground.”
Rebecca Wade is a senior lecturer in environmental science at Abertay University, who was commissioned to support community engagement and education around the project.
She said: “It is absolutely brilliant to see the retrofit measures at St Mary’s Community Centre complete. The systems look great and will deliver water and nature services for many years to come.
“Collaborative, co-designed and co-funded SuDS projects, like this, are oſten the best. They are designed with community and stakeholder needs in mind and can add value to other agendas.
Community engagement
The St Mary’s project was designed as an early intervention, to build community relationships ahead of the main project in the area, Strathmartine Connections. Community input was key, with the project team working closely with volunteers to co-design the space.
Scottish Water will maintain the planters for the first three-years, before handing over to trained community centre volunteers.
Results:
The SuDSPlanter installations at St Mary’s Community Centre are: • Diverting significant volumes of rainwater away from sewers during storms • Creating new habitats and improving biodiversity • Making SuDS visible and accessible to the community • Supporting learning through hands-on engagement • Encouraging community co-design and ownership of assets • Informing future nature-based flood mitigation initiatives
By infiltrating runoff locally, the St Mary’s scheme also reduces the amount of rainwater unnecessarily pumped and treated at wastewater treatment works - cutting energy use, operational costs and pressure on infrastructure.
Lorna Davis, director at Sudsplanter, said: “We were proud to support the important work of Water Resilient Dundee at St Mary’s which is a brilliant example of collaboration between local authorities, utilities, suppliers and communities.
“Small-scale interventions like this deliver many benefits beyond flood mitigation, including raising awareness and creating greener neighbourhoods. The planters have shown their worth during some heavy downpours and, thanks to the thriving plants, are attracting bees in part of the site that previously had no biodiversity.
This was the first SuDSPlanter installation for Water Resilient Dundee. Following the success of the scheme, the partnership is exploring further installations elsewhere in the city.
Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens appointed Chief Executive Officer of DHF
Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has appointed Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens as its new Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of Bob Perry.
Patricia takes up the role aſter more than ten years with the federation. Since joining DHF in 2015 as UK Marketing Manager, she has held several senior leadership positions, including Commercial Director and
Deputy CEO. A Chartered Marketer and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, she has helped drive many of DHF’s key initiatives, including its rebrand, the expansion of its training and qualifications, the introduction of CSCS card schemes, and the development of industry competence frameworks.
DHF Chairman Paul Browne says: “Patricia has played a central role in the development of DHF, growing our membership and expanding the services and benefits we offer. Her outstanding track record and knowledge of the federation make her ideally placed to lead DHF into the future.”
Patricia says: “I am absolutely delighted to be taking on the role of CEO at DHF. Our purpose remains clear: to help businesses succeed while raising standards across the industry. We will continue to champion competence, professionalism and compliance, while expanding our training and qualifications to meet the changing needs of the sector. I look forward to working with our members and partners as we build on the strong foundations already in place.”
RAK Ceramics UK Appoints Ben Bryden as Interim Managing Director
RAK Ceramics UK has appointed Ben Bryden as Interim Managing Director following the retirement of long-serving Managing Director Alvin Biggs.
Ben has been with RAK Ceramics UK for 10 years, joining as Head of Projects before becoming UK & Ireland Sales & Marketing Director. He brings extensive knowledge of the business, its customers and the UK ceramics market to his new role.
As Interim Managing Director, Ben will lead the UK business with a focus on future growth, working closely with employees, customers and partners to drive the next phase of development.
Ben said: “I would like to thank Alvin for his 14 years of service to RAK Ceramics UK and wish him a very happy retirement.
“It is an exciting time to take on this role. RAK Ceramics is a globally recognised brand, and I believe there is significant potential to strengthen and grow our presence in the UK. My immediate priority will be to work closely with our team, customers and partners, listen carefully and focus on the areas that will make the greatest difference.”
Alvin joined RAK Ceramics UK as Sales Director 14 years ago and became Managing Director in 2013. Ben Bryden takes up the position of Interim Managing Director with immediate effect.
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