Civil Engineering, Sustainability, and the Future

Introduction to the Topic:

We now live in a modern wherein we consume a lot of natural resources
every day. In urban, they consume more power than those who live in
rural. Urban centers use a lot more power than average, by sustaining
streets' light, buildings' power, and other public and household power
requirements. It is estimated that about 40% more resources every year
were consumed than we can put back and that needs to change.
Sustainability and sustainable development focus on balancing that fine
line between competing needs -needs to move forward technologically and
economically, and the needs to protect the environments in which we and
others live.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the session, the students should be able to:

1. learn and understand the importance of sustainable development;

2. learn what are the roles of civil engineers in sustainable development.

Sustainability
The definition of “sustainability” is the study of how natural systems
function, remain diverse, and produce everything it needs for the ecology to
remain in balance.
Sustainability focuses on meeting the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Sustainable Developement
Sustainable development is the idea that human societies must live and
meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs. The “official” definition of sustainable development
was developed for the first time in the Brundtland Report in 1987.
Specifically, sustainable development is a way of organizing society so
that it can exist in the long term. This means taking into account both the
imperatives present and those of the future, such as the preservation of the
environment and natural resources or social and economic equity.

What is the difference between sustainability and sustainable

development?
Sustainability is often thought of as a long-term goal.
Example: A more sustainable world.
Sustainable development refers to the many processes and pathways to
achieve the goal.
Example:
- sustainable agriculture and forestry
- sustainable production and consumption
- good government, research and
- technology transfer, education and training
Sustainable Development Goals
The UN’s Global Goals aim to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure
prosperity for everyone by 2030. Nearly all the countries in the world have
promised to improve the planet and the lives of its citizens by 2030.
They’ve committed themselves to 17 life-changing goals, outlined by the
UN. These Global Goals, also known as the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs).

1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-Being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Work
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice and Strong
17. Partneships for the Goals

The Role of Civil Engineer in Sustainable

Development
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) defines sustainability as
a set of economic, environmental, and social conditions (aka "The Triple
Bottom Line") in which all of society has the capacity and opportunity to
maintain and improve its quality of life indefinitely without degrading the
quantity, quality or the availability of economic, environmental and social
resources.
Sustainable development is the application of these resources to
enhance the safety, welfare, and quality of life for all of society.
Civil engineers shall be committed to the following ASCE Principles of
Sustainable Development:

• Principle 1- Do the Right Project. A proposed project's economic,

environmental, and social effects on each of the communities served
and affected must be assessed and understood by all stakeholders
before there is a decision to proceed with a project. Consider non-
structural as well as structural (built) solutions to the needs being
addressed; and
• Principle 2 - Do the Project Right. The civil engineer shall actively
engage stakeholders and secure public understanding and acceptance
of a projects economic, environmental and social costs and benefits. To
move toward conditions of sustainability, engineers must design and
deliver projects that address sustainability holistically (from concept to
demolition or reuse) rather than adding a variety of "green" features onto
a conventional project.

ASCE supports the following steps to achieve a sustainable project:

• Perform Life Cycle Assessment from Planning to Reuse. Project

participants should use rigorous life cycle methodologies that quantify
the economic, environmental and social effects of the project;
• Use Resources Wisely. Minimize Use of Non Renewable Resources.
Sustainable development shall include progressive reductions in
resource use for a given level of service and resiliency. The feasibility of
restoration, or return of depleted resources, shall be evaluated by the
civil engineer;
• Plan for Resiliency. Sustainability requires planning for the impact
natural and man-made disasters and changing conditions can have on
economic, environmental, and social resources; and
• Validate Application of Principles. Civil engineers must guide project
development and validate the application of these principles by using
metrics and rating tools such as the EnvisionTM Rating System for
sustainable infrastructure.
End of Discussion.
See attached lecture: FIELDS/CAREER OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Reference:
American Society of Civil Engineers (https://www.asce.org)
What Is Sustainability and Why Is It Important?
(https://www.environmentalscience.org/sustainability)

For more references, kindly check TIP Online Resources

TIP Library (Links to an external site.)

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END OF TODAY'S LECTURE.

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