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Infrastructure & Nature Webinar Series

28-September-2020

The Infrastructure and Nature coalition, representing more than 20 organizations formed to organize the Infrastructure and Nature Pavilion at the 2021 World Conservation Congress, is holding a series of virtual discussions from October to December. With leading private and public sector actors on the financing, planning, and development of sustainable infrastructure, we will explore solutions for reducing risks and generating incentives for building nature into future infrastructure business models.

ISI has been specifically helping with the November 5th panel. There is a presentation on November 19th from 8:00-9:30. There will be one Envision project presented on the 5th.

To learn more about the webinars in the series, view the Infrastructure and Nature flyer.

Register here.

ISI’s 2020 Webinar Schedule

18-September-2020

Please stay tuned for ISI’s 2021 Webinar schedule, which will be released in January 2021

2020 Webinar Schedule      

Previous Webinars

Effectively Communicating the Value of Your Infrastructure Projects 

Presented by: Dyan Lee, ISI Marketing and Communications director
Jennifer Ninete, HDR sustainability consultant
Wednesday December 2, 2020 at 1:00 PM Eastern
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Consider the importance of infrastructure in our daily lives. Despite the obvious need for infrastructure and the many benefits it provides, historically it is overlooked and underfunded until it breaks down or service is disrupted. How can infrastructure industry professionals shift this mindset to garner more support of sustainable projects? During this webinar, ISI’s Director of Communications, Dyan Lee, and Sustainability Consultant Jennifer Ninete, ENV SP, STP, will share tips for how the infrastructure industry can rewrite the narrative on what makes an infrastructure project valuable.  Jennifer will specifically discuss how important communication is on verification of projects. 

Registration is free and those wishing to participate must register in advance.  After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing important information about joining the meeting. 

Tailoring Envision to Meet Multiple Goals for Airport Infrastructure 

Presented by: Carly Shannon, C&S Companies
Wednesday June 10, 2020 at 1:00 PM Eastern
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Airports are using Envision to meet their needs and achieve lofty goals outside of the terminals. This webinar features several airports that have leveraged Envision in different manners. Industry experts will describe the processes, benefits, and lessons learned. It will conclude with an outlook of future applications and potential both within the industry and other sectors 

Leveraging Integrated Design to Achieve Higher Sustainability Performance Under Envision 

Presented by: Quin MacKenzie, luuceo consulting inc., Bronwyn Worrick, luuceo consulting inc.
Wednesday May 13, 2020 at 1:00 PM Eastern
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Infrastructure projects are defined by unique challenges and opportunities, including diverse funding streams, contrasting stakeholder priorities, and a variety of triple-bottom line impacts. In this webinar we will use project examples to discuss processes and techniques for implementing Envision on projects with alternative delivery methods to support more sustainable and resilient outcomes. 


Implementing Envision 

On April 22, 2020, ISI’s President & CEO, Anthony Kane, held a webinar, discussing how an increasing number of public and private sector stakeholders are using Envision to plan, design, and deliver more sustainable infrastructure by setting standards, establishing policies, and pursuing verification. The purpose of this webinar is to provide a deeper understanding of practical applications of the Envision framework. Examples will be presented to inspire new approaches that can be strategically integrated into everyday operations. Look for the recording of this webinar on your ISI account. 

Envision: Lessons Learned from Project Preparation and Verification 

Presented by: Lauren Ballou, VHB; Sierra LePore, VHB; and Van Du, VHB
Wednesday August 26, 2020 at 1:00 PM Eastern
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The webinar will discuss lessons learned and common challenges for projects going through certification, as well as observations and lessons learned on project verifications. The presenters will focus on challenging credits and helpful tips on how to provide sufficient documentation as well as what to look for when verifying. 

Using Envision as an Umbrella Framework: Applications for Large Mixed-Use Transit Projects 

Presented by: Teresa C. Vangeli, WSP, and Zachary Youngerman, WSP
Wednesday October 14, 2020 at 1:00 PM Eastern
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Sustainable design has come a long way in the past decade. Many transportation projects include a mix of project types from buildings to stormwater systems to parks and parking garages. WSP recommends Envision as a framework with a wide scope that encompasses all elements of the project site.  The rating systems for single elements of larger projects can operate under the Envision umbrella.  The presenter will share natural synergies that arise and will also note the pitfalls to avoid.   

Implementing Equity

9-September-2020

From the NYC DDC Sustainable Infrastructure Program – June 5, 2020

The NYC Department of Design and Construction informed ISI of their plans for incorporating equity into their projects, and they asked us to share what they are doing with other organizations and individuals. Please read the following information or download the shareable document.

IMPLEMENTING EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN NYC DDC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

The official strategic plan of New York City – ONENYC 2050 is based on the principles of growth, equity, sustainability and resiliency. Achieving equity and social justice is one of the major goals for New York City and is considered a strong foundation for social sustainability and resiliency.i

NYC Department of Design and Construction is proud of being the City’s leading construction management agencyii. We build infrastructure assets for one of the largest American cities and attribute its growth and success to its communities. The projects NYC DDC Infrastructure builds have a significant impact on the day to day life of New Yorkers. The current civil unrest has created an opportunity to investigate the possibility of achieving higher levels of equity and social justice through infrastructure projects.

Currently, NYC DDC uses Envision as a guide to improve the implementation of overall sustainability in infrastructure projects. In this framework, Quality of Life (QL) is one of the five categories. The intent of credit QL3.1 Advance Equity and Social Justice is to ensure that equality is fundamental to a project’s processes – from planning to construction. The Envision framework defines “Equity and Social Justice” as the responsibility of a society to ensure that civil and human rights are preserved and protected for each individual and that all persons are treated equally and without prejudice. iiiThe credit identifies the degree to which equity and social justice are included in stakeholder engagement, decision making, the project team and communities. The metrics for this specific credit ranges from Understanding Equity (Improved), Mitigation (Enhanced) and Empowerment (Superior ); to higher levels of achievement such as Equitable Access to Benefits (Conserving) and ultimately to Restorative levels of achievement such as Equitable Futures where the project positively addresses or corrects an existing or historic injustice or imbalance.

The NYC DDC Sustainability Infrastructure program assess and works towards ensuring the execution of social sustainability for NYC DDC Infrastructure projects. Moving forward we will aim to collaborate with our various colleagues, sponsor agencies and consultants, to obtain the highest level of achievement for credit QL3.1 and other credits that synergize with those goals.

Implementation strategies that can be considered for Infrastructure Projects are:

  • ➢  Stakeholder engagement is informed by the historic context of equity, social justice and environmental justice.
  • ➢  Identify and document social impacts of the project related to equity and social justice.
  • ➢  Ensure key members of the project team have made commitments to equity and socialjustice within their organizations.
  • ➢  Project-specific commitments for addressing equity and social justice.
  • ➢  Plan to address social impacts related to equity and social justice.
  • ➢  Create a map showing key demographic data overlapped with areas likely to receivebenefits or impacts of the project.
  • ➢  Engage underrepresented communities and higher rates of participation and/or inclusion.
  • ➢  The project positively addresses or corrects an existing or historic injustice or imbalance.i http://onenyc.cityofnewyork.us/reports-resources/
    ii https://www1.nyc.gov/site/ddc/about/ddc-strategic-plan.page iii https://sustainableinfrastructure.org/envision/use-envision/

Image by Wokandapix from Pixabay

 

August Member Spotlight: The Berkley Group

1-September-2020

Each month, ISI spotlights an ISI member organization. In August, we profiled the Berkley Group. Please review their accomplishments and check out the wonderful projects they are working on.

The Berkley Group provides sustainable and resilient community planning services, including Envision training, support, and project assessments for clients around the country. The Berkley Group’s environmental program is led by Denise Nelson, P.E., ENV SP, who offers over 8 years of Envision experience. She has led two projects to earn Envision awards in 2020 and has other project applications in process. Learn more about them here.