James Hadaway, transport infrastructure leader at Woods Bagot, has more than 20 years' experience in architecture, including nine years experience in transport infrastructure and construction.
His projects include the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link, which has won an Australian Institute of Architects award, and the South West Rail Link.
Architecture & Design spoke to Hadaway about the challenges of infrastructure development in Australia, why the government needs to become an ‘educated’ client and how the Olympic games piqued his interest in infrastructure.
Do you think Australia’s approach to infrastructure design is changing?
Having spent the past 10 years managing architectural design input for the NSW government major transport projects delivery agency, starting with a single project, Epping to Chatswood Rail Link and then all NSW major rail projects, I have experienced many approaches. My direct experience is limited to NSW. In my opinion, unfortunately politics has far too much to do with major infrastructure projects and planning in NSW.
The government always wants to limit project risk. This has led to the prevalence of design and construct delivery for transport infrastructure over the past recent years. Depending on the project this might be the correct methodology, however in my experience the government should take on the ‘educated client’ role and take control of the design. The Epping to Chatswood Rail Link was essentially a construct only project (for stations), where the NSW government kept control of the design process. I think the results speak for themselves.
I would like to see more construct only contracts, particularly for the passenger interface components (i.e. stations, interchanges, etc.). I do concede there is a benefit for design and construct with the civil engineering elements of transport infrastructure, where the contractor can provide clever building methods to deliver the required outcomes. After all, you can only shift risk to a party who understands it and can do something about it.
What do you think is the best way to approach infrastructure projects in terms of design?
Never lose focus of the key objectives of the project. Public transport should focus on the traveller. The individual piece of infrastructure should be considered in context within the entire journey from door-to-door. The project may only have influence over a small part of the entire journey, but it is important to ensure the project enhances the experience and allows for future improvements.
An efficient public transport system also affects the liveability of a city. A transport system can help to define a place, for example the Paris Metro and London Underground, which are icons of their respective cities. It is the responsibility of the designer to help orientate and locate the traveller by providing recognisable and familiar landmarks. The creation of these landmarks in the mind of the traveller is the task of architecture, which distinguishes it from merely an engineering solution. The ‘journey’ can be made more than just the mundane with considered and skilful architectural expression, therefore providing a legible and convenient experience for the traveller.
While generally it is the obligation of governments to masterplan a transport network, it is the duty of the design professional to develop and exploit the possibilities and opportunities of the detail within the masterplan. A transport link activates a precinct, providing an opportunity for multi uses and development, providing a rich tapestry of connectivity for the city. This is the basis of the term Transport Orientated Development (TOD). TODs can either be planned or by opportunistic development. Often the latter provides a more interesting sense of place, creating enclaves of similar and symbiotic activities. Understanding the growth and virtues of the opportunistic development around transport hubs will lead to a superior planned solution.
What countries around the world do infrastructure design better than Australia?
Singapore and Hong Kong are standouts in the area of mass rapid transport systems in our region. Even Athens has a very reliable and efficient metro system. Unfortunately, NSW has suffered from a lack of direction, although I believe things are getting better on that front. The worst example of the lack of direction was the cancelling of the Sydney Metro. Like it or hate it at the time, it would have been almost half constructed by now and surely it would have helped to resolve some of Sydney’s transport problems. In short, create a robust forward thinking masterplan and stick to it.
Where does your interest in infrastructure design come from?
It all started with the Sydney Olympics. I worked on some of the key venues and overlay planning for the games. I then went onto work on the Athens Olympics and Qatar Asian Games. Moving people safely, efficiently and conveniently was an eye opener when it came to the sheer numbers of people that had to be transported. Understanding fire life safety issues and pedestrian movements can be transferred from major event situations, like Olympic Games to everyday environments like busy transport interchanges. The question I like to have forefront in my mind is: How can I make the journey experience simpler, coherent and more enjoyable?
What infrastructure project are you most proud of?
Of course the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link was a significant project and I am very glad to have been part of it. I am particularly proud of the South West Rail Link, which is currently under construction. Firstly, we were able to influence the masterplanning of the town centres and work closely with other parties to ensure the design of the station precincts enhanced and connected rather than divide. It makes a lot of sense to build the transport infrastructure before the town centre is finalised. Secondly, although the delivery method is design and construct we were able to include in the contract a lot of detail for the station and surrounding precincts, so really there was not much ‘design’ left to do for the station precincts. I think this is potentially a very good delivery model, allowing contractor innovation and design control where required.
