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Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering (2014/02/09)
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Demands for energy, drinking water, clean air, safe waste disposal, and transportation will drive environmen-

tal protection and infrastructure development. Society will face increased threats from natural events, acci-
dents, and perhaps other causes such as terrorism.

Dealing with the preceding problems and opportunities will require intra-disciplinary, cross-disciplinary, and

multi- disciplinary collaboration on projects and in research and development. More advances in areas such
as information technology, intelligent infrastructure, and digital simulation will be needed.

In 2025, civil engineers will serve as master builders, environmental stewards, innovators and integrators,

managers of risk and uncertainty, and leaders in shaping public policy.

2.2.2.1. The world of 2025 - Vision

The resulting integrated global aspirational vision is:

Entrusted by society to create a sustainable world and enhance the global quality of life, civil engineers serve

competently, collaboratively, and ethically as master:

1. planners, designers, constructors, and operators of society’s economic and social engine - the built

environment;

2. stewards of the natural environment and its resources;

3. innovators and integrators of ideas and technology across the public, private, and academic sectors;

4. managers of risk and uncertainty caused by natural events, accidents, and other threats; and

5. leaders in discussions and decisions shaping public environmental and infrastructure policy.

“master” means to possess widely recognized and valued knowledge and skills and other attributes acquired

as a result of education, experience, and achievement. Individuals, within a profession, who have these cha-

racteristics are often willing and able to serve society by orchestrating solutions to society’s most pressing

current needs while helping to create a more viable future.

2.2.2.2. A Sustainable World

The global civil engineering profession has increasingly recognized the reality of shrinking resources, the de-

sire for sustainable practices and design, and the need for social equity in the consumption of resources. Civil

engineers have helped raise global expectations for sustainability and for environmental stewardship. The

profession has led world acceptance of green design and has been at the forefront in making environmental

considerations part of life-cycle and cost-benefit analyses. Civil engineers have urged clients to use new, en-
vironmentally-friendly technologies to improve the quality of life in urban environments. Designs routinely

incorporate recycling, either by using recycled materials, or by making project components recyclable at the

end of their useful life. New processes, less harmful to the environment, have been implemented, and most

new construction is based on green and smart-building technologies. Many new buildings actually produce
more energy than they consume.

The world is well on its way to a population exceeding 10 billion people in 2050. During the past 30 years,

gradual global warming has profoundly affected the more than half of the world’s population that lives wi-
thin 50 miles of coastal areas. These areas have become much harsher places to live because of sea-level rise,

increased storm activity, and greater susceptibility to flooding. Growing population, shrinking resources, and

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