Environmental planning
Umweltplanung als zentrale Schnittstelle zwischen Technik und Natur
Infrastructure projects impact on the complex ecological structures of landscapes and natural areas, affecting everything from the landscape itself and the soil and water to the flora and fauna. Legal regulations and requirements at the federal and state levels, as well as European legal provisions, are intended to ensure environmentally sound and resource-efficient project implementation and, where necessary, functional restoration. They define the interfaces for collaboration between project owners, permitting authorities, infrastructure designers and environmental planners. The early involvement of environmental planners can help to reduce impacts substantially – for example, through analysis and comparison of alternative route options or by bypassing particularly valuable biotopes and protected areas. Impact assessments evaluate the extent to which project-related work that impacts on nature and the landscape must be carried out in accordance with zonal and species protection regulations. The process examines whether significant impacts can be avoided or reduced, and how – for example, through construction schedule adjustments and post-completion renaturation measures. Where impacts cannot be avoided, compensatory measures are developed and agreed with clients and authorities. During the construction phase, our ecological construction supervision colleagues help ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
„Our environmental planning and design work helps us to ensure the environmentally sound implementation of construction projects, whether substations, power lines, hydrogen pipelines or transportation projects. In doing so, we contribute significantly to the sustainability, efficiency and economic viability of our projects. In our experience, this also strengthens the acceptance of construction projects by others.“
Pia von Zadow (right), Office manager in Potsdam
Impacts due to construction work and service-phase operation
During the construction phase, soil removal, soil compaction and impacts on vegetation and fauna have short-term and sometimes permanent effects on the environment and on nature. Noise and other construction-related disturbances also arise. Permanent changes occur along the transmission line corridors, including loss of wooded areas, alterations to habitat structures and changes to local microclimates. Underground cables also cause soil warming, which further affects the microclimate and, consequently, the vegetation and its function in providing habitat for fauna.
Underground cables vs. overhead lines
While overhead lines are very visible on the landscape, the impact of underground cables is less noticeable. While the route corridor must be kept permanently clear of deep-rooted plants, it offers an opportunity to develop valuable open-land habitats for endangered plant types.
Permits – a complex package
Linear infrastructure projects are subject to extensive legal requirements such as the Federal Nature Conservation Act, the Federal Soil Protection Act, the Federal Soil Protection and Contaminated Sites Ordinance, the Substitute Building Materials Ordinance, and the Federal Water Act. Environmental planning requires detailed understanding of the project-specific, varying requirements. In coordination with clients and the responsible authorities, our specialists prepare the necessary documents for approval, depending on the applicable procedure and project scope. This includes strategic environmental evaluations, environmental impact assessments, scoping exercises, species protection reports, landscape management plans, applications for exemptions, and planning of advance measures.
Protection measures and construction practice
The early involvement of environmental planning specialists – ideally already in the context of the regional planning procedure – helps ensure environmentally sound route selection. Their work includes the comparison of different route options, modifying routes to protect sensitive areas, optimising the use of trenchless technology (HDD) for crossing watercourses, and ecological construction supervision. This supervision work includes the inspection of construction areas before construction begins, monitoring of compliance with protective measures during the construction phase, and responding appropriately to unexpected discoveries of protected species.
„Several years can pass between the beginning of planning and the start of construction. During this time, nature changes. Trees may have grown where none previously existed, or we might find a bird of prey's nest where there wasn't one before. New habitats have emerged, and the range of species has changed. We then have to react flexibly to meet the needs of species protection while minimising impacts on the project.“
Ute Arnold-Tollmann (left), Head of Department and Project Manager