Systems approaches to the built environment - Jonathan Saks

Transcript

1. Systems approaches to the built environment Jonathan Saks – Director Strategy and Systems Change - NISTA Dialogue Between Disciplines| September 2026
2. From projects to systems Infrastructure should not be treated as a succession of isolated projects. It should be understood as a connected system serving people, places, public services, the economy and the environment.
3. The challenge is interconnected Climate, biodiversity, pollution and prosperity are experienced together, in places Climate Nature Pollution People Economy Mitigation and adaptation Recovery and ecosystem services Air, water, land and materials Housing, health, education and wellbeing Productivity, resilience and confidence A systems view starts by defining the shared outcomes we need – it gives different disciplines a common purpose 3
4. Systems Thinking - A different starting point Project Approach 8 Systems Approach Project Approach Systems Approach Can this project be delivered? What outcomes will it enable? Can it be delivered to cost, time and quality? How does it connect with other systems and places? Is the business case viable? Can existing assets perform better? What asset do we need to build? Where will intervention create the greatest public value? Who owns and delivers it? Are incentives aligned across the organisations that need to act?
5. Introducing the Infrastructure Systems Review A collaborative review of the built environment Co-Sponsors Contributors • NISTA • Infrastructure Client Group • Government and regulators • Infrastructure clients and investors • Industry and consultants • Academia Expertise • Built environment • Economics • Systems engineering and thinking • Project Management
6. A different starting point Project Approach Systems Approach It is • an evidencebased framework for improving decisionmaking. 8 It is not It offers • a blueprint for one institution or a detailed redesign of infrastructure systems. • practical pathways from siloed, asset-byasset decisions to outcomefocused approaches.
7. The Infrastructure Systems Review Evidence to turn systems thinking into better decisions and better outcomes per pound 15 Transferable Practical case studies insights actions Across sectors, places and ownership models, tested through workshops, interviews, expert review and economic analysis. 7
8. A Review in Progress • Review progress: A substantial evidence base has been • • developed, with conclusions and recommendations still to be finalised. Why this matters for national strategy: it is hoped it will strengthen the case for systems thinking as a way to connect long-term national direction with practical decisions in places. A possible contribution to the 2027 refresh: The Review’s completed evidence may inform relevant content, without prejudging either the Review or the Strategy refresh. • What this means for an interdisciplinary audience: It recognises the distinct contribution of environmental science, engineering, planning, policy, economics, clients and delivery bodies.
9. Questions to think about 1. Decisions Where could bringing different disciplines together earlier materially improve a decision? 2. Evidence What evidence would help us compare built, natural, operational and behavioural interventions? 3. Action What prevents organisations from acting in the wider interests of the system and the place?
10. Better decisions for better places • • • Start with the outcomes a place needs. Bring disciplines and evidence together early. Balance current and future needs alongside nature, the environment and climate.