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).
