External Works gives you access to all the products and services required to complete external schemes, both functionally and aesthetically, in urban, rural, civic, commercial, industrial, residential and leisure environments.

In January's focus, we’re particularly interested in innovative product development in the area of concrete and natural stone paving, and bound and bonded surfacing.

Whether it’s urban planning for shared spaces, sustainable drainage of hard surfaces, the economics of road maintenance and construction, or addressing sustainability issues in public areas, there are big ideas shaping the creation of new construction materials and product ranges.

Shared spaces and smart surfacing

“Shared space” is an urban design concept championing multipurpose public areas that are safe, walkable, human-scale and economically vibrant, in which cars, buses, bikes, commuters, shoppers, residents and flaneurs co-exist in perfect harmony. Or at least in a kind of self-organising, flocking order.

What makes a road?

There are vast differences in types of road – a hairpin bend on an alpine pass is (literally) a long way from a cobbled lane in an English country village. The materials and design vary widely, of course, depending on what is appropriate for the application.

Kinetic energy and the urban landscape

Having considered the use of solar power and wind power as sources of energy for the urban landscape I was intrigued by the recent publicity for kinetic energy.

Landscape architects: is Building Information Modelling (BIM) improving your business?

More than just a buzzword in 2011, Building Information Modelling or BIM took centre stage last year when Paul Morrell, Chief Construction Adviser, announced government plans to have all public projects operating under a BIM framework by 2016.

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