Sinclair Knight Merz considers its skills in behaviour change as a vital component of ensuring that the planning and design we do can be implemented in a way that will bring about lasting change for the better.
Whilst community needs have traditionally been addressed by supply management (for example, building extra roads) or demand management (introducing transit lanes or congestion levies), both of these approaches have limited impact in alleviating issues over a longer period.
Instead, behaviour change seeks to implement change from the bottom up, recognising that people are more likely to sustain a behaviour where they have opted for the changes themselves.
This is particularly so when there is a direct personal benefit, such as improved health, reduced costs or increased leisure time.
Successful behaviour change incorporates conversations with people to help them identify their own issues and problems and then help them to make the changes they have chosen by providing them with resources and encouragement.
Our strengths are in our knowledge of the principles and application of behaviour change in a wide range of areas; from transport to water to energy to waste with core experience at the following levels: