Barking Riverside Station: A Project in Infrastructure Construction

This report discusses the Barking Riverside Station project in infrastructure construction, including its lifecycle, professional bodies involved, and social benefits to the local community. It also provides an overview of the construction industry's various sectors and the importance of project management. The report is relevant to Bsc Hons Construction Management students.

Introduction to the
Built Environment
Bsc Hons Construction Management
Introduction to the Built Environment
Student Name: Viorel Ionut Paladoiu
Student ID: 2127694
Group: C2
Name of Lecturer: Erica Mulowayi
Date: 29.08.2022

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Investigate the various sectors of the built environment and select a project........................1
Select an example of a project.........................................................................................................2
Select a project that exists in one of the sectors and provide a detailed background of the
project.....................................................................................................................................2
Identify when the project started and was completed and describe the types of activities that
took place in the main phases of the project...........................................................................3
Project lifecycle......................................................................................................................3
Roles and responsibilities of the main professional bodies involved in the project and their
contribution in completion of project.....................................................................................4
Discuss 4 social benefits that the project has brought to the local community......................6
Discuss the financial benefits that the project has brought to the UK economy....................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Built environment includes all the aspects of an individual’s life such as buildings,
distribution system, water and electricity, transportation bridges everything. It is an
interdisciplinary study and also includes visual arts. Construction is important for each and every
nation as it helps in their development (Whistance-Smith, 2022). There is need of choosing best
project and managing the same in appropriate manner so that their overall development. Project
management includes several stages that are necessary to successfully implement a project.
There are some important documents that must be formulated at the time of designing a project
so that proper results take place. The present report is based on Barking Riverside Station as a
project. It is a new riverside station in London that connects the people. In this report there is
evaluation regarding the project and its main aim so that the benefits from the same can be
analysed. The construction industry is huge and has various sectors. All of them are mentioned
and evaluated in this report. There is overall evaluation of the chosen project and the important
aspects related to project. Project lifecycles helps to understand the stages that are followed by a
project such as initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing are explained in this
report. In order to complete the project successfully the help from professional bodies is taken.
The roles and responsibilities of professional bodies and their contribution to success of the
project is important part of this report. The project is part of construction industry and it is
necessary to know about its benefits. The social benefits from project to the local community are
mentioned in the report. The financial benefits due to the project are also mentioned in the end of
this report.
MAIN BODY
Investigate the various sectors of the built environment and select a project
Construction can be understood as industrial branch of manufacturing and trade that is
related to building, renovating, repairing, and maintain infrastructure. There is need of analysing
the need of construction so that effective projects are chosen to manage the work. The initial
design plays a major role in construction industry (Borri, Zsembinszki and Cabeza, 2021). It
helps the overall community to develop themselves and carry on the work in appropriate manner.
1

It is a diverse industry and includes various sectors. There is need of expertise knowledge in
order to manage a construction project effectively. All the projects are different from one another
and includes different techniques to complete them. The importance is to analyse the need of
community and then choose a project. It assists in carrying the work with lots of benefits and
achieving better position in the market. In construction sector there are three main sectors such as
building, infrastructure, and industrial and they are analysed below:
Building Construction: It is done to add structure to the area of land. These are done by the
owner of property in order to renovate their building (Kypriotakis-Weijers, 2020). Also, there are
some cases in which the building is being purchased for public use. A team of workers is being
hired to carry on the project and some common elements are financial requirements, design,
estimating, and legal considerations.
Infrastructure Construction: These projects are carried on by civil engineers as it includes
the construction of dams, highways, bridges, railways, or wastewater, water and utility
distribution. It helps to give benefits to overall community and helps in development of nation
(Construction Industry – The Sectors, 2020).
Industrial Construction: It is one of the small part of overall construction industry and is
very important component. It helps to provide more job opportunities and develop the
corporations.
2

Select an example of a project
Select a project that exists in one of the sectors and provide a detailed background of the project
The selected project is “Barking Riverside Station” and it is a helping to unlock thousands of
new homes in east London. It is a new station that is opened at the heart of Barking Riverside. It
provides connection to lot of people and delivers more than 10,000 new homes. It is developed
for the benefit of local people who are living there. The main aim was to related to
transformation and developing the journey of east London (Barking Riverside station is open,
helping unlock thousands of new homes in east London, 2022). It is part of infrastructure
construction and includes development of railways. Barking Riverside is one of the fastest
growing areas in east London and that is the reason the project is being initiated over there. The
time of the journey is being reduced and they are able to reach the place quicker. The direct
transportation facility is provided to the residents and visitors so that they are able to access
different places.
Identify when the project started and was completed and describe the types of activities that took
place in the main phases of the project
The project was started in 2010 and was occupied in 2012. It is a joint venture between
GLA Land and Property Limited (GLAP) (49 per cent) and London & Quadrant Housing
Association (L&Q) (51 per cent). A new station opened at the heart of Barking Riverside in order
to support the people with 10000 new homes. It is five-minute walk from riverfront. There is
easy connectivity being seen and provides good transportation options. It supports sustainable
travel and one of the successful project related to transportation. There is a cycle parking as well
that makes it easy for people to access the place (Manu and Akotia, 2021). It is a Morden station
that was built to provide best place to the locals. All the stages of project life cycle were involved
to carry on the project and manage the work. This helps to carry on the work in such a manner
3

that all the stakeholders are satisfied. All the activities and timeline were decided in order to
manage the overall work.
Project lifecycle
The project life-cycle is the combination of different phases which are involved in project
progress. The number of sequence and phases of project cycle depends on the type of a project
which is undertaken by an individual (Du, Blocken and Pirker, 2020). It is important to start the
project with the actual efforts so that it can give accurate and positive outcomes which are
expected. Barking Riverside project also involves different stages which need to be specifically
analysed so that threats and errors can be minimised in effective manner. It involves four
different stages which can be studied as follows:
Project initiation: This is the initial stage of project which involves different sub-activities
such as identifying the scope, feasibility study, identifying project stakeholders, identifying
deliverables, creating statements, developing business case, setting prices, timelines and cost.
Starting the project of Barking Riverside requires setting all these operations so that project
become successful.
Project planning: After the approval of project from initiation phase it comes to the next
stage of planning (Nielsen and Farrelly, 2019). Barking Riverside involves different planning
factors including preparation of schedule, task, creating a project plan, sourcing of resources and
many more. Managers also anticipate risk so that they can formulate plans and policies in order
to minimise and eliminate those risk factors from the project.
Project execution: Operations and task started to getting done at this phase which are
undertaken by the project manager who manages all the activities in proper manner. Project
manager of barking Riverside project control and monitor various functions like organising
finances, managing workforce and sourcing raw material so that they can effectively accomplish
their goals.
Project closure: After the completion of all the necessary task related to the project owners tend
to sign of the deliverables which are completed in order to close the project. All the necessary
formalities related to documentations are involved in this phase which are required for the
maintenance of the project. The final performance of project is analysed in order to determine the
goals of project are accomplished or not.
4

Roles and responsibilities of the main professional bodies involved in the project and their
contribution in completion of project.
Professionals and professional bodies play major role in accomplishing a project in
appropriate manner. They communicate all the essential strategies and policies related to
completion and commencement of project so that each and every individual can understand how
to carry out operations. They help in providing roadmap and direction to all the participants of
project and supervise them in every single stage (Lin and et.al., 2018). They are the responsible
person for handling all the critical operations which make project successful. Barking Riverside
station project also handled by project managers and other stakeholders who have the ownership
of developing plans and procedures for achievement of positive outcomes. They assist in
implementing the ideas, formulation of budgeting and costing, allocation of resources, practising
risk management and analyse internal and external factors of project along with maintaining a
healthy relationship with stakeholders. Construction industry involves numbers of operation
which requires accuracy and knowledge in order to complete the operations without mistakes and
errors. Professional bodies support project teams so that they can effectively fulfil the criteria
which is required for obtaining the expected results in appropriate manner. In case of barking
Riverside project professional bodies also train their employees, who carry out operations so that
they can inherit particular skills which are needed for construction (Zhu, Zhao and Jiang, 2022).
It improves the standard and allow employees in commencing operation in ethical manner so that
they can eliminate threats from external environment. Professional bodies lower down chances of
failure by improving the quality and level of the project by contributing their best possible efforts
towards the project. There are various roles and responsibilities of professional bodies during the
construction of barking riverside station which is mentioned below:
Managing risk and issues: It is the most important role of a professional bodies to manage
the anticipated risk in initial stages so that project can be carried out in smooth manner.
Professional bodies formulate plans and strategies which are the best suitable according to the
project so that they can maintain proper accuracy which is required. Analysing rest in initial
stages provide right path to overall project which is positive factor. Barking Riverside Station
achieved their prescribed target with the help and involvement of professional bodies is they
have developed plans which provide support to them. Issues are resolved by them so that overall
5

team can improve their productivity and performance which is required to accomplish the
project.
The quantity surveyor: For selecting the products of for construction it is important to
involve the quantity surveyor in construction project so that they can select the quality products
and material. These professional bodies advice project teams in selecting Best appropriate cost
equipment and materials so that project completion become easier (Hollander and et.al., 2018).
The guidance of quantity surveyor helps architects and other members of team in creating
product specifications which is essential for quality construction. Construction of barking
Riverside station involves contribution of quantity surveyor in stock monitoring, product
availability, client management and on-site efficiencies. They provide assurance of guaranteed
delivery of stock and material and installation of efficiencies in appropriate time duration so that
project can be completed according to the prescribed time schedule. They carry out a feasibility
study so that they can define effective budget for overall project so that project team can arrange
cost in the initial stages without any challenges.
Engineering consultancies: The important role of providing engineering advice and other
solutions related to technical operations are contributed by professional bodies. The construction
consultant of barking Riverside station provide technical advises which are important for
maintaining better coordination and develop designs for construction which assist project team in
achievement of their goals and targets (Shi and et.al., 2021). They contribute efforts in work
inspections which assist in finding and identification of errors and mistakes so that project team
can plan ideas to overcome and rectify those mistakes. Product information can be provided by
them which assist overall team in understanding the operations in better manner.
Discuss 4 social benefits that the project has brought to the local community
Barking Riverside Station helped thousands of homes located in East London by providing
several benefits. Various benefits are mentioned below:
 This involves steps free station which assist passengers in reducing their time of journey.
Large number of people enjoys better opportunities related to transport which save their
lot of time and money during a travel on the links for East London (Shen, Lin, Cui, Li
and Zhai, 2022). This helps in unlocking the construction of approximately 7000 homes
which in walls leisure facilities Riverside walks and schools.
6

 Residents can use new station for quicker journeys so that they can travel from one place
to another in short span of time. It also serves local community by providing chances of
getting employment during construction or barking riverside station (Liu, Wang and Xie,
2019). It assists in maintaining the lifestyle of people who are connected to the project
for employment. Recruiting and hiring people for contributing in operations directly adds
value to the economy of country. It reduces the rate of unemployment from society
which is positive factor in development and growth.
 Increment of business opportunities helps in developing society in a better manner which
is essential for effective growth and development of overall society. Investment in
transportation assists people in getting opportunities to involve themselves in generating
revenues for themselves by indulging in transportation activities. Job opportunities help
individuals in fulfilling their needs and requirements as they can access financial
resources.
 People can afford travel expenses as it charges lower amount for travel which is one of
the most attractive benefits of this project (Yin, Shao, Dong and Wang, 2019). Local
community avails services without any difficulties which maintain their budget which is
essential for effective living. Growth of transportation helps overall society by providing
services in effective and efficient manner.
Discuss the financial benefits that the project has brought to the UK economy
The project of Barking riverside station proves highly beneficial in terms of growth and
expansion of economy. It increases the opportunity of saving times of individuals so that they
can contribute more efforts towards their business and jobs. The investment in Barking Riverside
Station project provides higher return on investment to economy of UK which helps them in
generating higher revenues. It stimulates the growth of economy as it contributes in the GDP of
country by collecting revenue is a from the people of society. The construction of Barking
Riverside station provides large number of job opportunities to the people which contributes in
the progress of economy as employment generated higher profitability (Saha, Dumbaugh and
Merlin, 2020). It increases the demand of travel which provides chances of generating profits by
collecting taxes and other charges related to the travel expenses. The local economy can be
increased by implementing new innovative ideas in the construction project so that Country can
upgrade their services along with increasing rate of money. Long-term growth can be increased
7

as foreign investors get chances in investing in the market of construction project. In develop
their interest towards the economy of UK which is positive factor for them in increasing their
rate of GDP. The capital stock, labour market and other technological advancements can be
improved by investing in construction projects like barking Riverside Station. Demographic
changes can be evaluated with the help of construction projects which is essential for the
development of economy. Out of total 10% income of UK is contributed by the construction
industry which is huge amount.
8

CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that built environment comprises of all the
aspects related to the lives of individual which includes distribution systems and buildings along
with Road transportation systems, bridges and electricity. It provides upgraded services and
facilities related to healthy living and contribute in global environment. It focuses on protecting
cultural and natural assets while developing spaces and buildings for improving the growth of
society. It can also be referred as urban planning landscape, architecture, human geography, built
world, civil engineering and human man made environment. Built environment improves the
experiences of individuals by providing them upgraded facilities and benefits so that they can
live in better place. In order to improve environment individuals, focus on constructing new
things which are essential for living according to requirements of the people. This report focuses
on constructing barking Riverside station which provide benefits to local people during their
travelling. It cut down is the cost and time of travel and efforts which is positive factor
contributing to the experiences of individuals so that they can travel in frequent manner. This
report investigates different sectors involved in construction industry. Out of varied sectors this
project discussed about the construction of barking Riverside station. The brief discussion of
background is carried out related to the selected a project in this report. All the details related
projects are mentioned searches the time of initiating and completion of project and types of
activities undertaken during the phase of project. The project life-cycle is discussed in context to
the selected project. The roles and responsibilities of professional bodies are discussed who have
contributed their efforts in completion of the particular project. Different benefits of this project
are discussed related to social benefits and financial benefits in this report.
9

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Borri, E., Zsembinszki, G. and Cabeza, L.F., 2021. Recent developments of thermal energy
storage applications in the built environment: A bibliometric analysis and systematic
review. Applied Thermal Engineering, 189, p.116666.
Du, Y., Blocken, B. and Pirker, S., 2020. A novel approach to simulate pollutant dispersion in
the built environment: Transport-based recurrence CFD. Building and Environment, 170,
p.106604.
Hollander and et.al., 2018. Seeing the city: Using eye-tracking technology to explore cognitive
responses to the built environment. Journal of Urbanism: International Research on
Placemaking and Urban Sustainability.
Kypriotakis-Weijers, A., 2020. Space Modders: Learning from the Game Commune & the Binck
Twins Case Study: Learning emancipatory practices of space modification through
videogames and their introduction to the built environment.
Lin and et.al., 2018. Built environment and public bike usage for metro access: A comparison of
neighborhoods in Beijing, Taipei, and Tokyo. Transportation Research Part D: Transport
and Environment, 63, pp.209-221.
Liu, Y., Wang, S. and Xie, B., 2019. Evaluating the effects of public transport fare policy change
together with built and non-built environment features on ridership: The case in South
East Queensland, Australia. Transport Policy, 76, pp.78-89.
Manu, E. and Akotia, J., 2021. Introduction to secondary research methods in the built
environment. In Secondary Research Methods in the Built Environment (pp. 1-15).
Routledge.
Nielsen, J. and Farrelly, M.A., 2019. Conceptualising the built environment to inform sustainable
urban transitions. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 33, pp.231-248.
Saha, D., Dumbaugh, E. and Merlin, L.A., 2020. A conceptual framework to understand the role
of built environment on traffic safety. Journal of safety research, 75, pp.41-50.
Shen, Y.S., Lin, Y.C., Cui, S., Li, Y. and Zhai, X., 2022. Crucial factors of the built environment
for mitigating carbon emissions. Science of The Total Environment, 806, p.150864.
Shi and et.al., 2021. The influence of the built environment on online purchases of intangible
services: Examining the mediating role of online purchase attitudes. Transport
Policy, 114, pp.116-126.
Whistance-Smith, G., 2022. Introduction: Expanding the Built Environment. In Expressive
Space (pp. 1-9). De Gruyter Oldenbourg.
Yin, C., Shao, C., Dong, C. and Wang, X., 2019. Happiness in urbanizing China: The role of
commuting and multi-scale built environment across urban regions. Transportation
Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 74, pp.306-317.
Zhu, P., Zhao, S. and Jiang, Y., 2022. Residential segregation, built environment and commuting
outcomes: Experience from contemporary China. Transport Policy, 116, pp.269-277.
10

11