Jim Cook, chairman of the Association of Geotechnical and GeoEnviromental Specialists, takes B&E through the highs and lows of 2006.

Did the Victorians get it right when it came to materials selection, or can we put our faith in high specification 21st century materials to build a sustainable infrastructure? When it comes to specifying pipes for sewer applications and land drainage, whether to opt for ultra-modern plastics or traditional clay is a very hotly- debated topic. B&E explores which material pipe specifiers should plumb for.

When work on London's Heron Tower is complete in 2010, the 202m- high building will dominate the London skyline. Before reaching for the skies, Project Manager Mace has first had to make sure it knows exactly what is below the ground around the site. B&E hears from Met surveys about how it used tracing techniques to help in the design of a future London landmark.

As the Great British public increasingly adopts a green agenda people are prepared to pay a little more for enviromentally friendly buildings. However developers and contractors are missing a trick by refusing to accept this, or so argues Chris Goodsall of Echo Architects Quattro Design.