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(2014/02/09) Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering
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bility that is conventionally known as the Brundtland descriptions. In addition to the intergenerational obliga-

tions contained in that description, the concept of sustainability is described as the confluence of solutions

that support environmental as well as social and economic needs and benefits - the so-called "triple bottom

line" goal.

In Strategy for Sustainability, Adam Werbach, an environmentalist and sustainability expert, posited that a

successful sustainability strategy is "different from and much bigger than just green,". It must consider every

dimension of the environment in which an organization operates, including social, economic and cultural, as

well as the natural environment.

It is this broader recognition of multiple purposes, goals and outcomes that are embodied within the fra-

mework of the envision TM rating systems. Many civil engineering projects are delivered in a highly com-

plex and regulated setting where the public interest must serve many different views, opinions and outcomes.
The success or failure of a proposed project can often be driven by the political setting more than the techni-

cal or financial attributes. This reality is perhaps another definition of the triple bottom line and unless all

parts of the environmental - social - economic trilogy are successfully balanced and accepted, there is less li-

kelihood that the proposed project will be completed. The American Society of Civil Engineers reported in
their Report Card (2009) that the deficit for current infrastructure systems in the United States could exceed

$2.2 trillion just to recover the utility and performance of those systems. New infrastructure as well as upgra-

des and maintenance of existing systems will be necessary to protect and enhance community quality of life

as well as to promote and support the economic competitiveness and jobs within America.

ISI has committed to develop and support a series of rating systems and related resources, including educa-

tion and training programs, that will assist owners, agencies, project teams and others with delivering sustai-

nable solutions to meet these imperative needs.

4.4.2. Accounting for change

Addressing the effects and consequences of non-sustainability is an urgent matter. Resource demands will
continue to increase, driven by the needs and wants of both the developed and the developing nations. To-

morrow's infrastructure needs to be more durable and resilient, and be designed for greater extremes in ope-

rating conditions. Thus it follows that infrastructure rating systems must include not only objectives for im-

proving performance, but also objectives for ensuring that change has been accounted for in terms of new
averages and ranges of operating conditions along with new and credible extremes.

it is important to remember that we are, in effect, building 2050 today. Given the expected useful life of civil

infrastructure, the roads, bridges and water treatment plants we build today are expected to provide services
for 30-50 years. Unless changes are made now in the way civil infrastructure is designed, constructed and

operated, we will continue to create new infrastructure or repair the old based on yesterday's assumptions and

operating conditions, as well as yesterday's standards for efficiency and effectiveness. Accordingly, infras-

tructure rating systems need to place greater emphasis on superior performance achievements.

4.5. International WaterCentre - Conference

WASH 2011 conference on Jun 01, 2011

Stuart White, ISF, UTS

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