Vegetation has been used for slope stabilisation and erosion protection for centuries across the world. The role of vegetation in performing these engineering functions becomes more important in a changing climate where sustainability and resilience are required from the traditional geotechnical engineering solutions. The aim of this talk will be to introduce and critically review the most common nature-based solutions (NbS) that can be used for slope stability and erosion protection. Additionally, this talk will cover the inclusion of design with vegetation across the project lifetime, with a focus on risk assessment, detailed design calculations, and monitoring of the NbS. Experiences from several projects that incorporated living materials within the traditional geotechnical design will be presented together with lessons learned and recommendations for the future.

Slobodan is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Management at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). He completed an MSc in Environmental Sciences and Policy before carrying out research on the anchorage mechanics of different types of root systems and completing a PhD at the University of Manchester. He worked as a research engineer at INRA/LRBB in Bordeaux, France before moving to University of Dundee as a research fellow. After this, he gained an extensive experience as a geotechnical engineering through a number of years working as a designer and consultant in sectors including highways, rail, flood defence, marine, residential and industrial developments, erosion protection, agriculture, landscaping, and forestry. Design and construction experience includes ground investigation, shallow and deepfoundations including piled foundations, retaining structures, ground anchorages, ground improvement, tunnelling, deep excavations, earthworks, slope stability and stabilisation, and ground bio- and eco-engineering solutions. He procured and managed a number of construction projects of different sizes and also mentored junior engineers working towards professional qualification before joining GCU. Current research interests include slope stabilisation and erosion control using vegetation, green roofs, infrastructure monitoring and management, BIM, and sustainable geotechnics. He actively collaborates with UK and international partners in France, Brazil, China, Canada, Austria and Spain, works with senior stakeholders on strategic issues, delivers keynote lectures and presentations at international conferences, and publishes in high impact journals.