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Mark Your Calendar for the Leading Infrastructure Conference, Nov. 16–17, 2022

29-June-2022

2022 ISI Virtual ConferenceInfrastructure is relied on for all basic human needs and services. But as the last two years showed dramatically, yesterday’s infrastructure is no longer sufficient. Communities are Expecting More — the theme of our conference this year. Expecting more in terms of higher quality infrastructure and expanded services needed to support the new ways we live, work, and play. Expecting more of the assets that governments across the political spectrum understand to be crucial to community success and economic recovery.

Pre-conference courses will begin on November 15, 2022 (schedule to be announced). The virtual conference opens on November 16 with a focus on the challenges and opportunities that exist in the current operating environment, exploring how infrastructure systems need to change in order to deliver more. On Day 2, we shift gears to focus on actionable strategies to use … right now! New infrastructure funding offers a limited window of opportunity to build the infrastructure needed to support thriving communities in the 21st century, and having the right toolkit will be essential. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear leading insights on shaping the future of sustainable infrastructure!

Link to register

Sponsor Acknowledgement

Sponsorship is helping us keep this conference FREE to attendees! The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure gratefully acknowledges the early support of the following Platinum Sponsors: AECOM, HDR, Inc. and MDR Strategy Group Ltd.

ISI gratefully acknowledges the early support of the following Gold Sponsor: WSP Global Inc.

Organizations interested in participating as sponsors may contact ISI directly. Download our sponsor flyer for details.

Keeping Envision Front and Center on the World Stage

7-June-2022

Back-to-back events in May 2022 provided opportunities to put Envision® front and center on an international stage. Recognition of Envision as a transformative framework for sustainable infrastructure keeps growing, and below are some key activities President and CEO Anthony Kane and Managing Director Melissa Peneycad undertook to continue that momentum.

Anthony Kane speaking at the Envision Italia Event (left) and at the University of Genoa (right).


Envision Italia and University of Genoa Keynotes

While in Italy for the Envision Italia Conference, Kane gave a presentation on sustainable infrastructure at University of Genoa, on May 25. A 550-year-old university well known for its program in sustainable architecture, engineering, and design, Università di Genova provided an opportunity for Kane to speak about the state of sustainable infrastructure in front of an audience of faculty and students (some of whom are using Envision in their master theses!). The next day, he traveled to Rome to deliver a keynote address at the Envision Italia Conference, organized by our Italian partner, ICMQ. Senior leaders representing the companies, operators, and ENV SPs that make up the Envision community in Italy were in attendance. The event’s return to an in-person format after more than two years delivered valuable project updates and lessons learned on developing sustainable infrastructure in Italy. In the same week, ISI was also pleased to announce that another Italian project had received an award through Envision Italia, the Bologna Bypass Project.

 

ISI’s Melissa Peneycad moderating a session at the International PPP Forum in Barcelona.

UNECE Conference

Melissa Peneycad represented ISI at the 6th UNECE International Public-Private Partnerships Forum in Barcelona (May 4-6, 2022), where PPP practitioners from around the world gathered to challenge one another and share best practices. She moderated a panel on how the circular economy can be supported by “People-first” PPPs, that are evaluated against five people-first outcomes and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a discussant in another session, she provided live assessments of projects from Mexico, Brazil and Slovenia that were submitted to UNECE as case studies aligning with its People-first evaluation methodology, leading to a robust discussion about sustainable PPP development.

Melissa Peneycad giving the opening keynote at CSCE 2022. Right: Professor Rishi Gupta, the conference chair.

Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Conference

Peneycad delivered the opening keynote at Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) Conference in Whistler, B.C. ISI-approved Envision-qualified trainers from luuceo consulting presented an Envision Workshop, and ISI also had a booth at this conference. Attended by 550 academics and practitioners, from 14 countries, this conference provided an unparalleled opportunity to communicate the value of Envision on projects alongside ISI’s partner in Canada, the CSCE. The event saw participation by key infrastructure leaders and decision-makers, including plenaries by the federal and provincial (British Columbia) ministers of infrastructure. A full announcement about CSCE 2022 appeared on the Envision Canada website.

CICCP and Tecniberia’s Sustainability Initiatives in Spain Receive Support from ISI

2-June-2022

Left: Pablo Bueno Tomás, President of Tecniberia (The Spanish Association of Engineering, Consulting and Technological Services Companies), ISI President & CEO Anthony Kane, and Miguel Ángel Carrillo Suárez, President of the Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos (CICCP) (Spanish Council of Civil Engineers). Right: Araceli Garcia Nombela, Secretary General of Tecniberia, with Mr. Kane and Mr. Tomás.

The prestigious Spanish Council of Civil Engineers (El Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos) and Tecniberia, that country’s foremost association for engineering companies, are two of the most influential organizations in Spain for advancing sustainability in infrastructure.

In May, the leaders of these organizations met with ISI President & CEO Anthony Kane in Madrid and entered into a collaboration agreement. Through this three-way partnership, ISI will support the country’s civil engineering community to lead the A/E/C industry to plan, design, and deliver greater sustainable and resilient infrastructure, using the Envision® Sustainability Framework.

ISI is very pleased to be collaborating with CICCP and Tecniberia and extending the Envision framework into Spain, home to a highly experienced civil engineering community: “We see this as a tremendous opportunity for Spain, its citizens, communities, and the A/E/C industry,” said ISI’s Anthony Kane. “Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a greater opportunity to form new international partnerships in support of better infrastructure and healthier communities. The Envision framework and rating system can empower all stakeholders to do just that.”

This is an impressive milestone for supporting sustainable infrastructure in Spain through a partnership with two organizations that play an influential role in how infrastructure projects are planned and carried out, not only in that country but in other regions where its civil engineering firms and professional community have a significant presence.

Though headquartered in the United States, Envision is growing around the world through project verification and credentialing. Envision is the product of the collaboration between ISI, which was founded by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

The Envision v3 Manual was translated into Spanish and became available late last year, a product of ISI’s partnership with FEMCIC in bringing Envision to Mexico. The fact that this resource is already available in Spanish will be tremendously valuable in communicating the value of the Envision framework in Spain.

Terminal Expansion Project at Port of Vancouver Receives Envision Platinum Award

31-May-2022

The Centerm Expansion Project and the South Shore Access Project at the Port of Vancouver have obtained an Envision Platinum Award for Sustainability.

This design-build project centers on terminal expansion and improvements which will increase container and vessel handling capacity, but includes off-terminal improvements to the adjacent road and rail network. The combined project will help meet the increasing export and import demand for containers shipped through the Port of Vancouver.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is concurrently delivering these improvements with project partner WSP Canada, Inc. (the lead Envision Firm); AECOM; Centennial Expansion Partners (CXP), a joint venture between Dragados Canada, Jacob Brothers Construction, and Fraser River Pile & Dredge Inc.

This award recognizes the success of the project team in achieving sustainability goals in these areas:

— Prioritizing the needs and goals of the local communities through meaningful investments.
— Meaningful and credible stakeholder engagement.
— Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions
— Sustainable siting and innovative marine restoration.

View the full announcement in our Project Directory.

Bologna Bypass Project Earns an Envision Platinum Award

25-May-2022

A key upgrade to the Italian city’s highway connector system, the project focused on the creation of well-integrated infrastructure in collaboration with stakeholders, systematically reducing noise and air pollution. The project also emphasized social and economic benefits, including the extension of parkland and the addition of 20 km of cycling paths. 4.5 million fewer hours of road travel per year will result, translating to 1,350 tons less carbon dioxide.

Serving as a vital transportation node for Italy and providing a strategic artery for a leading national manufacturer, the Bologna highway system is closely tied to the country’s economic prosperity.

This is the first highway infrastructure project in Europe to obtain a Platinum Award under Envision®. At a cost of €1.5 billion, the bypass will strengthen the urban section of the A14 expressway linking Bologna, Bari, and Taranto with an extension of approximately 13 kilometers. While retaining connections with the A1 expressway linking Milan and Naples, and the A13 (Bologna-Padua) expressway, the bypass speeds up access to Bologna via the city’s ring road system.

Vehicles will spend approximately 4.5 million fewer hours on the road per year as a result of the project. This will significantly enhance the quality of life in local communities and reduce CO2 emissions in metropolitan Bologna substantially (1,350 tons per year).

A significant feature of this project was that the design addressed not only the needs of vehicular traffic, but also the necessity of connecting the A14 highway with other transportation modes, all informed by a strong network logic. The purpose was to integrate the bypass with key urban junctions and existing local infrastructure in a way that would generate socioeconomic value, maximize benefits and promote sustainability.

A public-private partnership (PPP) project, the Bologna bypass also benefited from the strong work of an interdisciplinary project team emphasizing transparency and broad stakeholder involvement throughout the design process. With this foundation, a transformative project took shape focusing on the environment, innovation, and mobility.

Learn more about why this project earned a Platinum rating by visiting the Project Profile

The Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment Facility earns Envision Platinum

14-April-2022

The Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment Project (LB-MUST) is a comprehensive and innovative regional project.

It will intercept and treat dry weather runoff, and first-flush storm flows generated within the City of Long Beach before discharging to the Los Angeles River and Estuary. The centralized downstream advanced treatment facility has a planned capacity capable of collecting and diverting approximately 41% of the City’s 12,200-acre watershed.

The LB-MUST is a prime example of a project in the Lower Los Angeles River Watershed that provides incentives for water agencies throughout each watershed to collaborate in managing the region’s water resources and setting regional priorities for water infrastructure and improving the region’s water self-reliance. This is a multi-benefit infrastructure project that achieves many essential goals such as:

— Advancing local hire and job training goals.

— Using nature-based solutions.

— Providing benefits to disadvantaged communities and economically distressed areas.

— Providing inspiration and education to other agencies and the community, such as delivering multi-benefit solutions to address community challenges.

Colin Averill, PE, Civil Engineer, City of Long Beach Public Works, Engineering Bureau: “Long Beach continues its commitment to improving water quality by delivering an innovative project to treat stormwater and urban runoff with capacity for a substantial portion of the City’s watershed. Sustainability extends beyond the project limits with water reuse, community, and environmental benefits that will support expanded greenspace along the LA River.”

View the full announcement in the Project Directory.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Biosolids Digester Facilities Project Earns Envision Platinum Award

13-April-2022

The Biosolids Digester Facilities Project is located at the Southeast Treatment Plant, San Francisco’s largest wastewater treatment plant.

The SFPUC is investing over $3 billion to upgrade and modernize the aging Southeast Treatment Plant (SEP) as part of a more extensive Sewer System Improvement Program (SSIP). Once the upgrades are finished, SEP will reliably work better, smell better, and be a more significant community asset. The SFPUC is also upgrading the SEP for earthquake preparedness, sea-level rise, and operational efficiency. In addition, the work will reduce odors and improve the quality of life for nearby residents and employees.

The Biosolids Digester Facilities Project (BDFP) is an essential component of the larger SEP upgrade. The BDFP project will replace and relocate the existing (and outdated) solids treatment facilities with more reliable, efficient, and modern technologies and facilities. This project will help transform the SEP into a modern resource-recovery facility, allow the SFPUC to meet its levels-of-service goals, and be an attractive place to work and visit.

“Achieving Envision Platinum is a major accomplishment, and it reflects the hard work of so many people at the SFPUC and in this community,” SFPUC General Manager Dennis Herrera said. “Environmental justice is at the forefront of our work, and this award underscores our commitment to a sustainable future, including the health and wellbeing of the communities in which we operate.”

View the full announcement in the Project Directory.

NMDOT Project First in New Mexico to Earn Envision Rating for Sustainable Infrastructure

24-March-2022

New Mexico Department of Transportation’s I-25/University Avenue Interchange Improvements Project First Project in the State to Earn Envision Rating for Sustainable Infrastructure

This $35 million project, which began in January 2020 and finalized in October 2021, was a joint initiative between the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), the City of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University (NMSU), and other local stakeholders.

The I-25/University Interchange serves as the main access point to several local communities and the NMSU campus, all of which have seen significant growth in recent years.

The purpose of this project was to:

— Add capacity to the I-25 southbound off-ramp at University Avenue.

— Reduce congestion, weaving, and backups onto off-ramps.

— Incorporate roundabouts to improve traffic flow.

— Encourage multi-modal transportation options for cyclists and pedestrians.

View the full announcement in the Project Directory.

Announcing the Launch of Envision Canada to Accelerate Sustainable Infrastructure Practices from Coast to Coast to Coast

23-March-2022

The Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) and the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) are pleased to announce the launch of Envision® Canada.

Envision Canada is a partnership between CSCE and ISI to advance sustainable infrastructure practices in Canada by accelerating the use of the Envision sustainable infrastructure framework.

Envision is a holistic sustainability framework and rating system that enables a thorough examination of the sustainability and resiliency of all types of infrastructure. It is the only comprehensive tool in North America that can assist government agencies and their consultants and contractors in delivering infrastructure that tackles communities’ most pressing challenges, including improving the quality of life for everyone, creating good jobs, increasing economic growth, supporting climate resilience, reducing emissions, and cultivating social equity and cohesiveness.

“Envision Canada comes at a time when communities across the country are looking for ways to build a cleaner and greener future,” says Melissa Peneycad, ISI’s Managing Director. “Envision is a  practical tool to support the long-term planning toward a climate-resilient future. I’ve seen firsthand how well it works in the Canadian context and its alignment with Canadian needs and values. I’m excited to work with CSCE and our members across the country to take Envision use to the next level.”

Envision sets the standard for what constitutes sustainable infrastructure and incentivizes higher performance goals beyond minimum requirements.

In Canada, there are over 400 credentialed Envision Sustainability Professionals (ENV SPs)—people trained in the use of Envision. Twelve Canadian infrastructure projects have earned Envision awards for sustainability, including Infrastructure Canada’s Samuel de Champlain Bridge Corridor in Montréal, Quebec; the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority’s Gordie Howe International Bridge in Windsor, Ontario; the Surrey Biofuel Facility in Surrey, British Columbia; and the Northeast False Creek Renewal and Development project in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“We’re thrilled to be working with ISI to lead sustainable infrastructure development in Canada,” says David Innes, CSCE’s Executive Director.

“We’ll be focused on improving awareness of Envision, building capacity, and fostering innovation,” explains Michael Benson, CSCE Vice President. “Envision Canada is the result of a fantastic partnership between CSCE and ISI and we look forward to working together to accelerate the use of Envision across the country.”

Please visit EnvisionCanada.com to learn more.

Download the Announcement in English

Télécharger l’annonce en français

 

Anthony Kane featured on Bigger Than Us Podcast

11-March-2022

Newly released on the Bigger Than Us Podcast, ISI’s president and CEO Anthony Kane shares his thoughts on using Envision, assembling diverse teams to improve decision making, making infrastructure more equitable, and more. He was interviewed by Raj Daniels. This 36-minute podcast is very much worth a listen. It’s available on Apple, Spotify, and Anchor.

🎧 Apple: apple.co/3MBgV8w
🎧 Spotify: spoti.fi/3J7SMnO
🎧 Anchor: https://bit.ly/3vPWoqN