Civil engineering is a central aspect of how we build, maintain and experience the modern world. Arup has been a leader in civil engineering for over 50 years, designing the vital water, energy and transport infrastructure that cities, countries and communities depend on.
We work with clients to plan, build, integrate and maintain a wide variety of civil infrastructure, from bridges to reservoirs, from metro tunnels to off-shore wind farms. Our technical teams address every aspect of civil engineering design, working in close collaboration with the full breadth of Arup’s other design and engineering disciplines.
Our civil engineering specialists help devise solutions that respond to the challenges of today and tomorrow, including the minimisation of carbon emissions from civil engineering works, and the creation of accessible urban environments and infrastructures for all our communities.
How we can help you
Rail
Arup civil engineers are integrated at the centre of our rail design teams, designing lineside structures, rail drainage, and retaining structures.
Rail
Arup civil engineers are integrated at the centre of our rail design teams, designing lineside structures, rail drainage, and retaining structures.
Canary Wharf Elizabeth Line station - our civil engineering team were extensively involved in the delivery of this complex underground station - largely surrounded by water.
We work on high-speed rail projects around the world, helping determine rail alignments, and planning earthworks, and managing the utility diversions and connections required.
Our teams often are responsible for information management on rail projects, creating the digital platforms to manage and coordinate design information from across the design teams, and creating BIM models that support future network operations and maintenance.
On rail projects our civil engineering expertise is truly cross-disciplinary, and we often also take on design management roles. We have considerable experience of working at stations, working alongside station architects, building engineers and pedestrian modellers to create and enhance rail interchanges at the heart of our towns and cities.
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Property
Arup civil engineers are key to the design of the spaces around and beneath our buildings.
Property
Arup civil engineers are key to the design of the spaces around and beneath our buildings.
Our civil engineering team were involved in the refurbishment of Miesian Plaza in Dublin, helping the building to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum v4 certification, the highest level of the LEED green building rating system.
We work in masterplanning teams to identify the constraints and opportunities on sites and city districts, developing detailed understanding of the site and reviewing options with local stakeholders. To do this we often develop GIS and other (3D or BIM) digital models to test development options.
We help prepare sites for new development, addressing site legacies, and providing infrastructure to support construction and use of the development, and integrate these into the surrounding urban fabric.
We design the spaces around buildings to support the building uses including green spaces, access routes, servicing, parking, and management of surface water runoff, including full coordination of all underground and under-slab services.
Our teams have developed expertise in the civil engineering needed to support different building uses, such as the high energy and heat dissipation needs of data centres, and specialist and resilient utility systems required for health and science buildings.
Water
Arup civil engineers work on projects across the water sector, particularly on flood risk protection schemes, water supply and waste wate treatment, and the wider management of water resources.
Water
Arup civil engineers work on projects across the water sector, particularly on flood risk protection schemes, water supply and waste wate treatment, and the wider management of water resources.
When inspection revealed a series of dams in Snowdonia that were failing, Arup was asked to design a solution to ensure their safety in the long term. Using a restorative, green infrastructure approach, we focused on reusing and strengthening existing structures to minimise the project’s impact on the local environment.
We apply a commitment to sustainability on all projects, from managing surface water in individual building projects to large scale flood alleviation schemes. Our civil engineers are skilled in using natural processes to shape new drainage solutions, and we try to incorporate existing assets and materials in new flood protection solutions.
We work with water utilities around the world we help manage and extend water supply and sewerage networks; we also provide civil engineering support on the design of water and wastewater treatment plants.
Arup civil engineers support our dam and other water resource specialists in the management of existing assets, and commissions of renewals and enhancements to meet water demands.
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Cities
We help city and regional authorities to develop integrated solutions for the operation and maintenance of the complex infrastructure that powers our cities.
Cities
In every town and city, there are complex networks of interdependent infrastructure, ones that enable the urban environment to function.
We help city and regional authorities to develop integrated solutions for the operation and maintenance of these complex systems, from masterplanning to design and construction management, and asset management.
Our civil engineers take up the roles of the project manager and supervisor in NEC contracts playing a crucial role in the successful implementation of urban infrastructure projects, from small housing developments to massive urban expansion projects. We also prepare tender documentation and provide project administration.
Many of our civil engineering teams are commissioned to transform existing derelict or poorly used sites and neighbourhoods to provide the sites, public spaces, and infrastructure that will support urban regeneration. Our teams regularly collaborate with architects and other specialists to create spaces in our towns and cities that have lifted the expectations of communities and enhanced local economies.
Roads, streets and tunnels
We work with clients across the highways sector, on pavement design, drainage, earthworks and with major utilities.
Roads, streets and tunnels
We work with clients across the highways sector, on pavement design, drainage, earthworks and with major utilities.
The gateway to the Golden Gate Bridge since 1936, the ageing Doyle Drive was no longer capable of serving its 100,000 daily users. In designing a replacement, careful consideration was needed to minimise disruption for commuters and create a long-term transport solution in harmony with the landscape with minimal impacts on the Presidio National Park.
Projects range from street scale active travel enhancements to new intercity multi-lane highways.
Achieving road and highway improvements in urban areas requires our integrated civil engineering skills. Our role is expansive, from helping teams to understand the relevant local constraints, optimising social benefits, public engagement, and supporting clients through the consenting process.
Many cities are increasingly focused on provision of more sustainable public transit systems. We have considerable expertise in the development of light rail and busway solutions integrated into urban streets, including the identification and management of existing utilities in and around such projects.
Our civil engineers work with our geotechnical team and geologists to design many tunnel projects around the world. Our expertise spans rail and roadway tunnels and water aqueducts.
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Energy
Our civil engineers work on every kind of renewable energy infrastructure, playing a vital enabling role in the transition to a more sustainable energy future.
Energy
Our civil engineers work on every kind of renewable energy infrastructure, playing a vital enabling role in the transition to a more sustainable energy future.
Buildings account for some 90% of Hong Kong’s total electricity consumption, compared to a global average of 40%. The Kai Tak district cooling system in Hong Kong was one of the first sea water fed district cooling systems
Every challenge is different. For onshore wind and solar projects there is often a requirement access to sites often in remote locations, to bring in large equipment such as turbine blades.
We have also worked on the development of future hydrogen generation, distribution and transmission networks. Our teams are also active on hydro-electric and tidal projects, including pumped energy storage schemes, which are growing in deployment worldwide. These projects require Arup civil engineers to design sometimes massive structures in remote and challenging locations.
The increasing reliance on electricity networks in non-fossil fuel energy systems has put considerable pressure on existing electricity distribution networks. We work with electricity distribution networks to reinforce their networks including supporting the design and consenting of new high voltage connectors.
Some cities are looking to develop heat or district cooling networks to secure productive uses for otherwise waste energy. Our civil engineers address challenges such as the insertion of utility tunnels and large diameter network pipework into congested city streets.
Learn more about our work on the Kai Tak district cooling system
Maritime
Our civil engineers work on many kinds of coastal projects, at the technically challenging interface between sea and land.
Maritime
Our civil engineers work on many kinds of coastal projects, at the technically challenging interface between sea and land.
The new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal will allow the world's biggest cruise ships to visit the city of Brisbane. Arup is responsible for detailed design and analysis of the wharf, terminal building, and landside civil works.
We work in ports and harbours, expanding and strengthening facilities for ships to berth, and manage the passenger and freight flows into and out of ports.
We also work to protect areas at risk from coastal erosion and sea level rise, sometimes reinforcing the current coastline, but sometimes instead moving the line of defence further inshore.
The coast is often the place where our existing biodiversity is under most pressure. Our approach to civil engineering prioritises the protection and enhancement of these vital habitats.
Aviation
We work on the civil engineering of all kinds of aviation infrastructure, from airport expansions to terminal upgrades.
Aviation
We work on the civil engineering of all kinds of aviation infrastructure, from airport expansions to terminal upgrades.
Arup is the Design Team Lead and Engineer of Record, leading multiple firms and more than 250 engineers, designers, architects, and planners to deliver the Delta Skyway at LAX, one of the largest infrastructure projects in LA.
We work collaboratively with various disciplines and provide feasibility studies, masterplanning, and technical advisory for airports. In this we work alongside contractors to deliver design-and-build projects, driving many improvements in and around the wider airport environment.
We also offer clients:
- assessments of existing on-site infrastructure assets
- upgrades to airport water treatment facilities
- roadway improvement and access studies for airports
- passenger and freight air travel demand management
Projects
Discover our latest work:
Reconnecting East and West Austin with community-focused cap parks and stitch bridges over I-35
Our Future 35 – Austin’s Cap and Stitch Program, USA
Shaping the future of emergency care in the Midlands
Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH), UK
Preserving Brunel’s iconic railway for future generations
Parson's Tunnel Rockfall Shelter, UK
Developing a viable, cost-effective and sustainable flood relief scheme for Cork County Council
Midleton Flood Relief Scheme, Ireland
Explore
Discover more of our expertise:
Experts
Get in touch with our experts:
Mike Wilton
Director
Mike leads our civil engineering team, and is a Director of Arup and leader of the Manchester office with over 30 years’ experience in the development of infrastructure. He has particular expertise in the remediation of large contaminated sites, urban public realm, transforming utility networks, high speed rail, and drainage and flooding.
Mike Wilton
Director
Mike leads our civil engineering team, and is a Director of Arup and leader of the Manchester office with over 30 years’ experience in the development of infrastructure. He has particular expertise in the remediation of large contaminated sites, urban public realm, transforming utility networks, high speed rail, and drainage and flooding.