telford apprentices 2006 07 why should civil engineers address the sustainability agenda?
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ICE Proceedings: Why should civil engineers address the sustainability agenda?TRANSCRIPT
Proceedings of the Institution ofCivil EngineersEngineering Sustainability 160March 2007 Issue ES1Pages 4–10doi: 10.1680/ensu.2007.160.1.4
Paper 2007269
4
Why civil engineers should address the sustainability
agenda
ICE’s ‘Telford Apprentices’ are 13 young engineers from around
the UK. Here they discuss sustainability and the role of young
engineers in advancing and delivering the sustainability
agenda.
1. Foreword: Quentin Leiper, President, ICE
During his presidential year, Gordon Masterton introduced the
apprentice scheme to enable young engineers to gain a greater
understanding of the workings of ICE and the role of the
President. This initiative was a great success and one I wish to
continue. This year is the 250th anniversary of the birth of
Thomas Telford and therefore I decided to name the 13 successful
candidates ‘Telford Apprentices’.
The apprentices were all eager to get off to a flying start, so task
one was set: what can young engineers do to best promote and
deliver the sustainability agenda? They each produced an
excellent response and their work is published in this issue of
Engineering Sustainability. This is an excellent result and a real
example of how well they work together.
It is my full expectation that, as well as other tasks (and they are
currently on number eight), they will produce further
contributions for publication. Later on in the year, the apprentice
programme will be going international, with prospective
apprentices joining from Australia and New Zealand.
I congratulate them for becoming the successful candidates and
thank them for the enthusiastic way they have taken up the
challenges set them and for their contributions to date during my
visits. They have already developed into a great team and I’m sure
will do well in the future. Finally, my thanks go to their
companies for allowing them to participate in the programme.
They have already made a valuable contribution and will
continue to do so.
2. Trina de Silva, London region
Sustainability, a current buzz-word, is not a new idea. Roman-era
drains, unearthed during construction of buildings at the
Guildhall, show a silt trap—evidence the designer was
thinking about how to extend the life of the drain and make
it easier to maintain. I believe this is an example of
sustainable thinking.
Engineering Sustainability 160 Issue ES1 Why civil engineers should address the sustainability agenda
My generation of engineers lives with ancient and modern
engineered infrastructure—the basis of our civilisation. From
the workings of our water/wastewater systems—analysed
publicly when problems arise—to the recently built flat I lived in
that was chilly in winter and baking in the summer, decisions
made by yesterday’s designers and contractors continue to
resonate with today’s owners and users. We are educated by these
good and bad decisions. This is why engineers must address the
sustainability agenda. Our exposure to existing buildings and
infrastructure means we cannot be ignorant of the effects of our
decisions.
At the start of a project, good development policies and
careful consideration of how the project will work in its
surroundings will affect its environmental impact. The chosen
materials and construction processes also make a huge
difference to the environmental impact of construction.
However, sustainability goes beyond the current environmental
credibility of a project. The three drivers of projects are cost,
time and quality. Cost and time are important to us; they
reflect our design skills and success at managing projects.
A more critical assessment will reveal the success of a project
in terms of sustainability. It may be a decade or more into the
life of a project before its ability to meet the needs of future
owners/users becomes obvious. Sustainability is a quality
criteria felt not only at the beginning of a project, but throughout
its life cycle.
Infrastructure from previous eras demonstrates the resilience of
good design. Some of our engineering forefathers, by chance or
(over)design have created sewers that are coping with our
massively increased flows, bridges that carry not only pedestrians
and horses but lorries their designers could not have imagined.
Adaptability and the ability to modify extends the useful life of a
structure, making it more sustainable.
Engineers are too well informed to have a defence of
ignorance. It is not good enough to add environmental
performance targets as an afterthought. As engineers, it is our
duty to really make the difference, create the buildings that stay
cool with less effort despite rising temperatures, take
brave decisions on our energy and water supply
concerns and ensure our transport network continues to
service our needs without creating problems for future
generations.
3. A. Feretzakis, West of Scotland region
It is essential for civil engineers to understand the duty of their
profession in the contexts of the environment and society, and in
understanding this duty they must try to create changes in
thought and action. This essential change can come through
design and construction processes but in order to be successful
everyone involved needs to support and promote sustainable
thinking.
Design sustainability is not an easy process as it must be applied
in every design principle. Starting from the conception of the
design and moving to the location, the structural materials, the
structural methods and finally the possible demolition of the
project, design sustainability must be applied in many areas. On
the other hand sustainable construction must aim to use less
natural materials and also less energy to decrease the amount of
waste and minimise the environmental pollution without
compromising the quality of the projects.
Sustainable thinking, planning and acting must be involved
in civil engineering to minimise the environmental impact
projects have over their entire design life. Only through this
process, and by adopting sustainable thinking at every stage in a
project, can a set of principles to improve the quality of life be
created.
All the relevant elements that go into the design and construction
of a project must be considered, making it a hard task, but we
must all try in order to succeed. Clearly, it is going to be a long
and difficult process before these principles are established, since
all the information, the values and the resources available to both
design and construction teams develop constantly, but from
project to project it will become easier.
The civil engineering profession has a unique opportunity to
create a progression of change that will improve and sustain the
environment and our planet in the long term. These are the very
actions that make civil engineering a unique and very important
profession for our planet and for our lives.
4. Doug Forbes, East of Scotland region
The environmental dimension of sustainability is probably the
most frequently discussed, and is the aspect which receives the
most attention. As civil engineers we are responsible for
designing, constructing, maintaining, operating and changing
both the built and natural environment. Civil engineers have
been involved in many projects that impact on the environment,
affecting individuals and organisations, both today and in the
future. These projects account for a significant proportion of the
world’s resource usage and impact. As civil engineers we must
accept responsibility for our actions.
The economic component of sustainability has been the main
driver of projects. As civil engineers addressing the sustainability
agenda we need to consider more than today alone. It is vital to
account for costs over a whole life cycle and the impact on
future developments. These costs must be considered in tandem
with the social consequences and environmental impacts.
The social aspect of sustainability is one that has only
recently come to the forefront, but has this not been part of
the civil engineer’s role for many years—one which has been
Engineering Sustainability 160 Issue ES1 Why civil e
carried out well? The influence of engineers of the past and
present has had wide-ranging social benefits in transportation,
natural and physical security, safety, resource management
and heritage, all of which improve the quality of life. The
social benefits of these are immeasurable but need to be
considered together with the impact on the environment and the
economy.
Civil engineers have the potential to address all three facets of
sustainability. We are in a privileged position because our work
involves a wide range of positions and responsibilities. In these
various roles our profession is currently attempting to create
sustainable environmental, social and economic conditions for
tomorrow. The biggest challenge is to ensure that we attain a
balance. It is dangerous to focus on one element to the detriment
of the other two, as has often been the case in the past. As civil
engineers, we must harness our profession to develop our
imagination—shaping projects by addressing full sustainability.
We must actively use that creativity to ensure that today’s needs
are met without compromising tomorrow’s.
5. Katerina Fytopoulou, North east region
The built environment is inevitably influenced by socio-political
context. Sustainability as a series of ideals is a concept
grounded in the ethics of environmental responsibility.
The techniques and technologies of green design are now
generally understood. What is still lacking is an architecture
profession which gives priority to ecological issues and a
construction industry which puts sustainability at the heart of its
operations.
Evidence that global warming exists appears to be increasingly
overwhelming. It features frequently in the media as well as in
multi-million-dollar Hollywood productions. Climate science has
established the correlation between burning fossil fuels,
planetary warming and weather instability. However, other
human activities are also accelerating the rise in global
temperatures, such as the creation of landfill waste or the
destruction of rainforests, often to supply the construction
industry and despite regular protests from organisations like
Greenpeace. This all creates an uncomfortable reality for many
species, whose habitats are threatened by sea-level rise,
desertification and so on.
Additionally, a drift to cities by the human population puts
pressure on housing land, water and energy supplies, and sewage
and waste capacity. The year 2000 marked the first time in human
history that the urban population exceeded the rural one. This not
only entails an intensification of urban problems (pollution,
space, crowding and resource stress), but urban living also raises
expectations of an enhanced lifestyle. The personal goals of air-
conditioning, cars and energy-consuming gadgets of various
kinds require resources whose supplies seem increasingly finite.
So we consume more, waste more and pollute more, a reality
which inevitably shifts the emphasis from simple choices (such as
energy) to complex ones (such as sustainability) and from a
profit-driven agenda to an ethical one. Global warming is an
uncomfortable fact for politicians, designers and the construction
industry, even though acting in accordance with sustainability
principles nowadays is a defining characteristic of being a
professional.
ngineers should address the sustainability agenda 5
6
One of the principal barriers to the wider adoption of more
sustainable design and construction solutions has been the
perception that they incur substantial additional costs; too
high to justify their application in this competitive market.
As a result there has been a lag in the application of
more sustainable solutions that improve performance
beyond that required by regulations. Reaching the highest
standards of current practice does incur some cost premium,
but recent research and successful ‘green’ projects around the
globe show that careful consideration of designs and
specifications at an early design stage can minimise these cost
premiums.
Often the most powerful and direct driver for addressing
sustainability is that the client, funder or planning authority has
made it a key project requirement. For example
(a) the Housing Corporation requires an EcoHomes
‘good’ rating on any scheme they fund or English
Partnerships require partner developers to achieve a
minimum Building Research Establishment environmental
assessment method (BREEAM)/EcoHomes ‘very good’
rating
(b) public sector contractors should achieve a BREEAM
‘excellent’ rating for all new buildings and their proposals
are often critically evaluated according to the extent to
which they address sustainability issues
(c) local authorities become confident to adopt sustainability in
transportation and other civil engineering projects (e.g.
Newcastle City Council achieved a sustainable design and
construction approach related to the award winning
development works of Scottswood Road)
(d) many high-profile private developers and landowners are
seeking higher standards of sustainability performance from
their partners
(e) investors are becoming increasingly interested in
sustainability and are engaging with major property
industry partners to understand how they contribute to the
wider sustainability agenda.
Engineers have always been pioneers in society; they have driven
advances in development and made things happen. There is
significant advantage to be gained from actively addressing the
sustainability agenda, by accepting the ethical responsibility and
understanding the financial and programming implications of
committing to sustainability issues.
More initiatives should be created from governments, cultural
education promoted and additional research funded to explore
how change can be achieved effectively in the industry within the
short amount of time we have available before it is too late for the
future of the planet.”
6. Christopher Paul Jones, Yorkshire and
Humber region
It is without doubt that a profession which designs, builds and
manages the built environment, underpinning aspects of civilised
society, has a key role to play in environmental performance and
meeting the challenges of sustainability. In addition, the
construction industry consumes resources on a massive scale to
create the infrastructure which society craves and is essential
Engineering Sustainability 160 Issue ES1 Why civil eng
to our prosperity, our public services and our quality of life.
As engineers we possess the ability to influence and
shape society and, as such, should be leading the sustainability
agenda.
Engineers are well equipped to play a vital role in ensuring the
longevity of the planet, being at the forefront of all new
development and capable of creating innovative solutions in
consideration of the following key aspects.
6.1. Design
(a) Energy: carbon targets: on-site renewable energy sources.
(b) Environmental issues: biodiversity, open space provision,
contaminated land, flood risk, drainage strategy.
(c) Materials: embodied environmental impact.
(d) Transport: access to other modes of transport, reduce need
to travel.
(e) Water: maximise grey water reuse, water efficiency,
rainwater harvesting, sustainable urban drainage schemes
(SUDS).
( f ) Waste: reuse demolition waste, segregate for recycling, ICE
demolition protocol.
6.2. Construction
(a) Waste: on-site waste management, separation for recycling,
‘just in time’ site management.
(b) Environmental: minimise impact during construction.
6.3. Operation
(a) Access: car parking standards and restrictions.
(b) Economic benefit: national/regional/local strategies.
(c) Energy: sustainability performance—BREEAM.
(d) Environment: noise management.
(e) Social capital: safe streets, fear of crime, affordable housing,
quality of public realm.
( f ) Water: SUDS, long term water management.
In order to succeed in addressing the sustainability agenda,
engineers need to have a broader understanding of issues which
impact on development and communities if they are to make
better places, where people want to live and work. This means
today’s engineer will have to be knowledgeable in different
disciplines as outlined in the Egan review, Skills for Sustainable
Communities1 that recognises the need for better training. We
should be encouraging students to follow such an influential
career path and support universities to provide the characteristics
required.
A multi-discipline perspective is being promoted by the
Academy of Sustainable Communities (ASC) and for
engineers to influence the sustainability agenda it is
imperative to gain such an appreciation. In this respect, Thomas
Telford practiced as an architect and engineer, and was an early
exponent of a multi-disciplinary professionl, well ahead of his
time.
In conclusion, engineers are well placed to devise and implement
strategies for sustainable development and drive worldwide
collaborative input from a wide range of stakeholders. We are all
custodians of the environment and have a collective
ineers should address the sustainability agenda
responsibility to ensure sustainability is achieved; but as
members of ICE our contribution is pivotal.
7. Ben Maltby, West Midlands region
The most vital elements of our economy and in fact much of the
way we live our daily lives, are delivered by engineers, and in
particular it could be argued, civil engineers. Energy, power,
water and travel are among many other vital services that the
modern world depends on. How can we best address these
elements, that are so key to our economic and natural survival,
to provide them in a sustainable manner? In particular,
why should it be the responsibility of civil engineers to
ensure problems are tackled to a level not only to halt, but
reverse, damage caused to our small and fragile planet
through years of neglect stemming from ill-education? There
is, of course, a short answer to the question posed in the
original specification for this article which would bring it to an
all too abrupt end. That answer is: ‘If we as civil engineers do
not address the sustainability agenda, who else will?’ To put
it into a simpler context, the question may be reformulated
to: ‘Why should civil engineers design the first bridge, road,
railway or sewage system?’ Civil engineers have a vital role
in creating a world where there is no shortage of energy,
pollution is under control and unwanted climate change has been
reversed.
There is a grim reality that the economic risks of not dealing with
the environmental challenges faced by the modern world are
unimaginable. As civil engineers struggle with some of the
world’s most pressing environmental problems, the general
public must support their efforts by making sensible, informed
choices about personal lifestyle.
Something must be done to make the world a better, less
polluting, place. The media will continue to argue, politicians will
continue to set targets, protesters will continue to hold placards
and distribute leaflets, but ultimately civil engineers have the
skills and knowledge to provide practical solutions to the world’s
greatest environmental challenges. To do so is a ‘heroic
challenge’ which will take a blend of creativity from the greatest
artist, with the technical skill of the greatest mathematician. With
my early impressions of the civil engineering industry, it would
appear as if there is an abundance of talent and skill waiting
to meet the world’s problems ‘every step of the way’.
8. Patricia McElduff, Northern Ireland region
We are all witnesses and accomplices to the continual
degradation of our local and global environment. Issues such as
deforestation, global warming, waste and rising sea levels are all
testimony to the fact. The management of sustainable
construction must integrate the four dimensions: cost, time,
quality and the environment. There is a number of aspects
involved in the area of sustainability. Each of which has local,
national, international and global implications. In assessing the
sustainability agenda many differing aspects of the project must
be addressed. In order to do this communication is required
between personnel, projects and companies to ensure the lessons
learned and the information gathered is passed on and used to
address the issue of sustainability.
Engineering Sustainability 160 Issue ES1 Why civil e
Sustainability is every person’s responsibility and as engineers
we have the fundamental role of ensuring projects are
intertwined with the reality of sustainability. In doing so we
enable the sustainability agenda to be brought to the forefront of
the design and delivery of all infrastructure projects in which we
are involved. This needs to be from conception to implementation
as the future of our planet depends on addressing the current
issues, ensuring that the sustainable agenda is approached and
that in all areas it is implemented. The construction industry is
traditionally and by its very nature a high usage sector of
resources.
As an engineer the first introduction to the concept of
sustainability was during civil engineering design. The concept
was simple; the sustainability agenda was to be included as an
integral part of the design process. As a concept sustainability
was easy to define but when it came to the actual application
to the project it became more difficult. In retrospect application
of sustainability is more difficult than a definition.
In achieving sustainable infrastructure we have the chance to use
lessons learned over time from innovative high profile
sustainable construction projects and to implement new and
improved systems of construction to schemes in which we are
involved. As engineers we have the opportunity to influence
others by innovative and modern approaches to delivery of
projects and to forge the way ahead for other industries. This
cannot be about appearing to fulfill the objectives, it must be
a holistic approach for ideas to work and this will not happen
overnight.
In the long term everyone is aware that adopting a more mature
and active approach to the sustainability agenda is really the only
sensible option. I do believe that it is essential that civil engineers
address this issue as well. We are the designers and constructors
of the future infrastructure and as such have a greater
responsibility to the population and indeed the environment, but
it is believed there is a bigger question to be posed to engineers
everywhere: ‘Why are we not?’
9. Tim O’Brien, Wales region
The most efficient way of solving any problem, such as resource
use, is to tackle it at source. Engineers are in a unique position to
tackle sustainability as they have roles in both public and private
sectors, being able to influence construction from conception to
completion. As a profession we can use ICE to lobby and advise
governments on sustainable development issues. Therefore our
position in society is a good reason why we should consider the
sustainability agenda.
Replacing and maintaining structures can be costly, and so it has
been realised that a sustainable development would have in-built
longevity. A good example of longevity is Telford’s Menai
suspension bridge, first built in 1829, which has so far lasted for
nearly 200 years. Conversely the current average design life of
structures is around 50–100 years. We can do much to improve
the longevity of our designs and finished products by considering
the ease with which buildings can be maintained or altered
alongside the quality of materials used. This should include
weighing up the value of using materials that last longer against
those that require regular replacement, while considering the
ngineers should address the sustainability agenda 7
8
embodied energy of the materials from a whole life (and
replacement) perspective.
Our work covers many aspects such as infrastructure, transport,
power generation and general construction. With such a wide
breadth of working areas, civil engineers are in a key place to
influence sustainability issues having both the opportunity and
the knowledge to make a difference.
In addition to the embodied energy of buildings, civil engineers
are in a position to influence overall design of buildings.
Buildings can be designed to be very energy efficient in use, far
more efficient than the present average. The BREEAM ratings are
one example where engineers should lobby clients and architects
to meet high standards and go further than simply installing
‘super’ insulation. Consistently combining low energy
construction, with buildings that have low lifetime energy usage,
would be a major advance towards sustainable development and
is another reason why civil engineers should consider the
sustainability agenda.
Finally, civil engineers should address the sustainability
issue to raise their public profile. Currently the civil engineer
has a poor status in society, being misunderstood and
unable to command high fees. It is the responsibility of all
civil engineers to promote the profession and educate the public
about the contribution that civil engineers make to modern
society.
10. Katie Symons, East of England region
When planning and building the London to Holyhead road,
Thomas Telford would have had to make many decisions about
the route that would have required analysis of the short and long
term consequences. As the route forms most of the A5 trunk road
still used today, he obviously considered the latter as important,
if not more important, than the former.
Engineers benefit from having the analytical skills to use when
solving problems, as we are trained to understand the physical
principles that drive everyday processes. Our designs are the
result of a solid understanding of the problem, and deciding on
the most effective, efficient and suitable solution. Through this,
we have the ability to look at the long term consequences of a
solution or policy, rather than just the short term results. We are
trained to think: is the solution sustainable?
Contrast this with politicians, the traditional policy makers.
By the nature of democracy, their time frames are short and
irregular, with no guarantee of power, and therefore
responsibility, beyond the next election date.
Commercial activity provides the link between engineers and
policy makers. As designers of technology or infrastructure,
we contribute to, and influence our local, national and global
economies, the drivers of government policies. The traditional
business person’s view is that if pursuing a sustainable approach
to business activity harms their commercial position, they are
unlikely to adopt it unless forced to.
Yet this ignores the environmental issues that need to be factored
into mainstream business thinking, including how to mitigate
Engineering Sustainability 160 Issue ES1 Why civil eng
against deterioration of the natural world. Businesses must
acknowledge that they exist within the earth’s eco-system, and
rely on it for their profits. Unlike politicians, companies’ boards
and directors have an obligation to act in the best long-term
interests of their firm, which must include addressing issues
about how that business interacts with its surroundings.
As engineers, with our ability to analyse problems from first
principles, we need to highlight both the long- and short-term
consequences of solutions to our clients. We need to highlight the
potential financial rewards for investing in a design that
minimises future impacts, in other words, that sustainability
is essentially good business practice.
Engineers operate using the ‘precautionary principle’—that is,
you do not hope for the best, but plan for the worst. This simple
principle has been expanded into an entire area of study, known
as ‘risk management’, now a key part of every business’ strategy
formation.
For civil engineers, ‘planning for the worst’ means that we are
forced to consider the long-term impacts of solutions to
problems, and mitigate the negative consequences on the
environment that will simply require more costly work down the
line. Take climate change as an example: some people may
welcome the prospect of a Mediterranean climate in the UK, but
not many will relish the thought of living and working in
buildings designed for northern Europe.
Our ability to look at the bigger, long-term picture means that
engineers are in an ideal position to ensure sustainability is
debated properly, and show that embracing sustainability is
essential to risk management.
11. Sally Walters, South west region
It is hard to answer or address a question, when the answer seems
so obviously to be within the question itself. Why should
engineers address the sustainability agenda? Surely the answer
must simply be, because we are engineers.
There are many reasons for believing that simply being engineers
means we should address sustainability; from the fundamental
basic reasons to being an engineer through to the ethical codes
and rule of professional conduct that any member of ICE agrees
to abide by.
Examining the basic qualities of engineers, we have a skill, ability
or what could even be described as a talent for working with
problems and challenges to provide the solutions. Engineers
often think beyond the convention, achieving the innovative.
At our core, is the fascination with investigating problems and
a strong desire to solve them. The sustainability agenda poses one
of the biggest challenges facing modern engineers, the necessity
to balance the needs of a continually developing, fast-paced
world, with changing global conditions, while considering the
needs of our future generations. These factors alone should surely
have any engineer eager to become involved.
Much of our world has developed, or is developing, at a rapid
pace. Expectations of societies for better standards of living and
basic rights are continually growing, yet across the world our
climates are altering and land space is becoming more fiercely
ineers should address the sustainability agenda
competed for. The challenge is how to address all these needs for
now and for our future.
There are social and ethical considerations and responsibilities
that are part of being an engineer and why we should adopt
sustainability. We become engineers to solve problems and aid
the development of society. Part of a desire to become engineers
is to utilise our skills to help others; this is also a value upon
which the Institution has developed and is permanently recorded
within the rules of professional conduct.
The challenges that faced the great engineers such as Brunel
and Telford are still the same challenges that face us today;
to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world with higher
expectations and daily demands. Engineers are now, just as
then, required to actively take hold of the challenge
with the same sense of pride, enthusiasm, commitment and
drive that saw Brunel and Telford become famous names
worldwide.
Rather than the question being ‘why should engineers address the
sustainability agenda?’ the question is surely ‘why would
engineers not address the sustainability agenda?’
12. Paula Farshim, South east England region
Engineers utilise vast amounts of energy and resources to create
what is required for the human race to live a 21st century
lifestyle, and this makes the construction industry one of the
biggest threats to the future security of our planet. What is worse
is the unavoidable realisation that everything engineers create
has a finite life, therefore producing waste and compounding the
problem.
The utilisation of resources and energy to create waste
opposes the very basic rules of life, humanity and
sustainability. That is to say that even if the processes
involved are necessary to provide for humans to live and
function, the end waste product is often more damaging than any
benefit it may have given.
These simple facts portray the reasons why the work of engineers
and their associated industries have a critical impact on the
principles of sustainability. An engineer is responsible for the
design, construction, maintenance and disposal of the
infrastructure required for today’s lifestyle. It is the duty of
engineers to consider the concept carefully and aim to tackle the
associated problems effectively and throughout the entire cycle.
Although the reasons behind the need for engineers to address
such issues is very simple, the challenge in making the
necessary changes in order to ‘meet the needs of today
without compromising those of tomorrow’ may not be so
straightforward.
That is why even following the simple realisation that the
resources of our planet are limited and fast diminishing, it has
been difficult to establish and action a global strategy to
encourage sustainable approaches to life. In fact, within the
construction industry itself much has been said about
the principles of sustainability, but it is only very
recently that the industry has been actively contributing
towards its aims.
Engineering Sustainability 160 Issue ES1 Why civil e
The engineering community and its associated policy makers
such as ICE should tackle the challenges of the sustainability
agenda by enhancing their mechanisms and supporting the
training and education of engineers and investing in research and
innovation to aid their members who can make a difference to
this global issue.
Once a well-educated industry is established, within markets that
environmental pressures such as global warming, investor
interest, competition for resources and legislation have grown,
engineers can act to develop sustainable approaches and
technologies for their industry. Furthermore, engineers can
educate both government and clients of the technological
advances created and benefits in order to motivate them into
devoting prominent precedence to sustainable development and
the business that governs its economy.
In my opinion, engineers must act in a sustainable manner, as it is
they who, through providing the world with its modern
requirements, can have the biggest influence upon how these
requirements are created and utilised. The ultimate aim must be
education, in order to develop a new generation of engineers
within a sustainability-conscious industry that can develop and
foster a new generation of living.
13. James Wallace, North west region
On the 250th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Telford, we are
reminded of his illustrious engineering legacy. In 1820, Telford
designed and constructed an innovative iron bridge; one of the
earliest of its kind, carrying the West Coast Great North Road, to
span the main arterial link between North West England and
Glasgow, the River Esk Bridge, known as ‘Metal Bridge’.
Telford considered and calculated not only the engineering
difficulties of the area, as the span at the River Esk is as wide as
the Thames, but additionally, the huge tidal range of the River
Esk, which is over 5 m. He also assessed the socio-economic
needs of the region, in the middle of the UK’s industrial
revolution. Remarkably, the bridge lasted 95 years, before being
replaced by Cumbria County Council in 1916, due to the
emergence of the automobile. This bridge is testimony to Telford
as a visionary of sustainability; he had comprehensively designed
a project that would be sustainable in almost every facet.
In his day, Telford recognised the importance of sustainability
in engineering. In today’s world the importance of
sustainability is becoming increasingly paramount, because of
issues ranging from carbon emissions, depleting natural energy
resources, continuing pollution of the environment, to
changing socio-economic world markets. It is imperative that we
engineers exercise our influence on society to address
sustainability issues, while advancing engineering knowledge.
We must build upon the foundations laid by engineers such as
Telford. Telford had engineering foresight; he constructed
projects for the needs of future generations.
Today, a modern Telford is challenged with the same engineering
principles, but must take in hand the many advances in
knowledge and sustainability. Presently I am concerned with
ensuring the new River Esk Bridge is sustainable in every
element. We engineers are working on environmental,
ngineers should address the sustainability agenda 9
10
geomorphological and hydrological studies of the new bridge’s
impact (which was not a concern for Telford, apart from the high
tides!) to ensure that the integrated engineering solution
minimises the environmental impact on tomorrow’s
environment. We have adopted new techniques to reduce risk
to health and safety and improve productivity, by for instance
launching the steel deck superstructure across the piers. The
project must also be economically viable; the early contractor
involvement team is set up to deliver value for money on
behalf of the Highways Agency, funded by government.
In conclusion, if engineers don’t address the sustainability
agenda today, we pay the price tomorrow.
14. Joseph Roberts, East Midlands region
When broken down to its most basic meaning, life is about
survival. Whichever civilisation one considers throughout time,
engineering solutions have shaped the way people survive. From
sanitation to power to transport and shelter it has been the task of
civil engineers to use the tools of innovation and knowledge to
implement solutions making the task of survival achievable.
In the late 1700s the solutions provided by Telford and his peers
included vast networks of canals and roads. The newly connected
corners of Britain kick-started and sustained the country’s
industrial revolution.
The engineering world has moved on since the time of Telford but
the fact that we are still reliant on solutions provided by these
master builders should provide inspiration to all designers. Civil
engineering solutions will often be required to outlive the
designer. In this time of economic prosperity we must also build
with the needs of the future firmly in mind.
This does not mean that every building or infrastructure project
needs to last forever, but through whole life costing the solutions
engineers prescribe can achieve a design life that justifies
construction and eventual disassembly. Wherever possible,
solutions should be adoptable with maintenance issues designed
in at conception.
The booming economies of China and India are modern day
examples of man’s insatiable thirst for growth. After years of
Engineering Sustainability 160 Issue ES1 Why civil eng
debate we have now reached a world consensus that many of the
technologies in use today are unsustainable. It would be futile
to attempt to restrict the expansion of the world’s growing
economies in order to save the planet. Through the power of
sustainable technology, however, we can mitigate the impact
of this growth.
At the other end of the economic scale, underdeveloped
countries desperately need affordable and appropriate
engineering solutions. These will form the foundations
on which to build and sustain a steady economy, essential
to meet the basic requirements of the world’s
poorest citizens. Solutions appropriate to the local
population are needed to meet the global objective for
sustainable living.
As outlined in ICE’s strategy and action plan, 2002–2003,
the business case for sustainability needs to be clear
and credible to ensure it is always considered.
Environmental management systems can help companies
to cut waste and reduce costs. Ideas such as the use of local
suppliers to cut down on transport costs will also cut carbon
emissions.
Politicians, activists and film makers can continue to raise
awareness of the dangers of climate change and push the
sustainability agenda but it is the engineering community
that will address it. It is therefore the responsibility of
each individual engineer to keep up to date with current
practice through continuous professional development in order
to provide the sustainable solutions which legislation should
insist upon.
The answer to the question above is simple: because we have to.
Our task, as civil engineers, is to continually answer the question
how can the construction industry address the sustainability
agenda?
REFERENCE
1. OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER. The Egan Review—Skills
for Sustainable Communities. ODPM, London, 2004.
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ineers should address the sustainability agenda