F1 Racetracks Designed With Principles Of Sustainability

John Rhodes, associate principal at sports architecture firm Populous -- which was responsible for the recent redevelopment of Silverstone and the design of London’s main 2012 Olympic stadium -- said that "sustainability concerns have become a top priority in design decision-making," according to FIA's news magazine AUTO. Rhodes said, "Many of the big wins in sustainable design are not all that glamorous, or even evident to the casual user -- such as the designing of an integrated travel plan for event spectators. But they are effective and essential to any new development." Rhodes is keen to "develop more ways for motor sport circuits to improve their environmental credentials." He points to "the harnessing by new technologies of otherwise wasted energy, such as the huge footfall of spectators at major events. For example, building walkways with tiles that, when stepped on, collect kinetic energy. Such installations "could create the power to run lighting, signs, digital adverts and even entire Wi-Fi zones" (AUTO, Issue 1).