Impact assessment
Contacts
Yassmin Al-Khatib
Sunil Ojha
EIA experience
Ramboll has many years of experience carrying out EIAs for onshore and offshore oil and gas supply facilities, road constructions, airports, ports, bridges, industries, and so on. We facilitate EIAs for various international, regional and local clients (international financial institutions, private companies and national authorities and directorates).
EIAs must often comply with legislation. They provide information on the following key topics:
- Detailed project description, noting the sources and impacts of environmental disturbances.
- Complete list of alternatives, including those rejected and detailed examination of those under serious consideration.
- Description of the project environment, including fauna, flora, air, soil, water, humans, landscape or cultural heritage.
- Detailed estimation of nature and scope of environmental impacts, including temporary and permanent as well as local and regional.
- Proposal of mitigation measures, based on expected impacts.
- Non-technical summary of the project and its likely impacts, written for a broad range of stakeholders including the general public.
- List of potential problem areas, or unknown factors, with suggestion for research to fill knowledge gaps.
Managing authorities and the authorisation process
In addition to carrying out the technical aspects of EIAs, we also offer to be responsible for maintaining the necessary contact with authorities and managing the authorisation process throughout the EIA procedure.
Citizen involvement
Ramboll is very experienced in preparing and participating in public information meetings to involve local citizens and other interested parties, such as NGOs. We believe that complaints and suggestions from the public can strengthen projects, since our experience has taught us that the best projects involve all interested parties.
Interdisciplinary approach
Ramboll combines an interdisciplinary approach with a high level of professional expertise and we always work closely with our customers – from problem clarification to project completion – keeping costs to a minimum. We have extensive EIA experience from various sectors, often in projects that are both complex and large.
Each of Ramboll’s national EIA teams is highly experienced in working in partnership with experts on road construction, private and industrial construction, traffic, risk management and geophysics. These partners may be from within Ramboll, from different companies, or perhaps from developers’ own specialist groups.
Ramboll’s long experience working on international projects has eliminated the borders between national EIA teams. We often work across national boundaries, and always comply with the Espoo Convention on EIA.
To better understand the scope of environmental impacts and present alternatives to the public, Ramboll produces professional simulations, in 2D or 3D visualisations.
Projects
Tithebarn city centre regeneration
We are working on various aspects of the new masterplan for the city centre of Preston, Lancashire. The area concerned is known as Heart of the Tithebarn Regeneration Area (HTRA) and covers approximately 14.8 hectares. The masterplan provides for 32 new-build blocks, the refurbishment of existing structures, relocation of the bus station and a considerable area of new retail space, leisure facilities, public spaces and car parking.
Among the key environmental aspects considered during the evolution of the scheme have been land quality, archaeology, ecology (there are bats on the site), noise impacts, air quality, microclimate, drainage, townscape, visual context and waste management. Impact on the local economy and social structure have also been studied.
Our consultants undertook preliminary microclimate analysis of daylight, sunlight and wind flow on the development site and the surrounding area. The objective of the wind flow analysis was to ensure that the proposals offered a year-round comfortable external environment.
Our infrastructure engineers have completed an extensive 3D earthworks model of the proposed new bus station area that optimises the cut and fill volumes. A comprehensive drainage strategy has been developed that minimises the need for sewer diversion. The surface water strategy endorses the use of Sustainable Drainages Systems (SUDS) and includes rainwater harvesting, porous paving and the extensive use of green/brown roofs.
Urban liveability calls for urgent action
Sometimes doing nothing can be the most costly option – both in environmental and financial terms. Representing 3.5 million residents, Jeddah officials have realised that swift action is needed to make the city more liveable in the future. Ramboll established a cost-benefit analysis and crafted a masterplan to ensure future sustainable development for Jeddah.
EIA and remediation planning of contaminated sediments in river Kymijoki
Thorough and correct decision-making needs to be based on well-documented facts. When it comes to deciding whether or not to spend large sums of money on environmental remediation, for instance, it is vital to have a professional consultant who can document the details of the environmental pollution.
Ramboll
First Floor, Emerald Building
Oud Metha Road
PO Box 116921, Dubai, UAE