In a previous professional capacity, I managed a post-construction stormwater management program for a relatively small locality. It was a fulfilling role, although perhaps not outwardly glamorous. It was a “one-man-band” situation—I joke that the…
Engineering the Future: Streamlined Contract Documents Will Revolutionize Infrastructure Project Delivery
While you were sleeping, Santa brought an early present this year: federal acknowledgement that there are high-quality, balance-risk contract documents…
Change Leader: Prioritize Resilient Design, Especially in Hurricane-Prone Areas
In hurricane-prone areas, prioritizing resilient design features such as reinforced structures, stormwater management systems and backup power solutions…
From the Editor: Finding the Many Faces of Sustainability
“Sustainable Engineering” is the focus of Informed Infrastructure this issue. A general definition of sustainable engineering is designing and operating systems in a manner that the social and environmental impacts are minimized and yet…
Future Forward: Raise the Roof with More-Sustainable Materials to Bring Down Carbon Emissions
The built environment already is responsible for almost 40 percent of global carbon emissions, according to the UN Environment Programme, and the problem grows larger every day—in fact, the world adds buildings equivalent to the size of Paris every five…
Transportation Troubleshooting: Before Buying Buses: Preparing for a Net Zero Fleet
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” – President John F. Kennedy, Sept. 12, 1962 When President Kennedy famously made this declaration, many detractors scoffed at…
Infrastructure Outlook: Help Create a Platform for Climate-Resilient Housing and Communities Innovations
As engineers, we’re trained to build structures that withstand external forces. But what happens when climate-change-induced disasters become more frequent and severe? It’s time to expand our capacity and knowledge to tackle new climate changes that…
Water Works: Making Large-Scale Green Stormwater Infrastructure Possible in Ultra-Urban Areas
Stormwater treatment in the United States faces significant challenges, most notably increased development, rising pollution and a lack of funding to address the issues. This was demonstrated in the American Sociey for Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2021 “Infrastructure…
Thoughts From Engineers: Climate Adaptation Planning through Stress Testing
In this age of climate uncertainty, water systems of different scale and scope—from large dams to riverine ecosystems to reservoirs and other water-supply systems—are increasingly vulnerable to shifting hydroclimatic conditions. The question of how to…
Engineering the Future: Engineers Must Share Their Infrastructure Stories
We’re all busy delivering on the infrastructure we need to sustain a healthy economy. But have we done our job in letting the world know? The core tenant of engineers’ code of ethics is “to protect public health, safety and welfare.” So, we need…
