Introducing the New Participants of ISI’s Technical Assistance Program

The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure is pleased to introduce the newest cohort of participants in our Technical Assistance Program (TAP) — a collaborative initiative that brings together infrastructure project teams and academic subject matter experts to advance sustainable, resilient, and equitable infrastructure in communities around the world facing economic or resource challenges.

What Is TAP?

TAP was created to foster collaboration that reduces financial and technical barriers for small and/or economically-distressed communities who are eager to develop more sustainable infrastructure. This program helps to bring the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework to these communities by matching project teams with ISI’s network of academic supporters so they can work alongside ISI’s own education and verification staff to apply Envision to real-world projects. This mutually beneficial model not only supports communities in need, but also helps cultivate the next generation of leaders in sustainable infrastructure practice, research, and education.

• Project teams gain access to expertise, training, and resources they may not otherwise have — empowering them to integrate sustainability into critical infrastructure projects.
• Academic supporters — faculty and student teams from participating colleges and universities — gain real-world Envision applications for coursework, research, and professional development, enriching their students’ learning and extending the reach of their institution while contributing to meaningful sustainability outcomes.
• Together, and with support from ISI’s education and verification teams, they work to build a shared model of learning and practice that strengthens communities and advances the adoption of Envision around the world.

 

Meet the 2025–2026 TAP Cohort

Each project team and academic support team plays a critical role in the collaborative process that TAP is designed to foster.

Granabastos Community Campus (Soledad, Colombia)

Owner: Granabastos
Engineering Focus: Civil/Site

Description: Granabastos, a major fresh food market and distribution center for the Caribbean coast of Colombia, is committed to sustainability and community development through impactful environmental and social initiatives. Through its “Good Neighbor” program, Granabastos provides support such as vocational training, youth development activities, and food assistance — helping to build social cohesion and create opportunities targeting economically distressed communities. This project consists of a community campus to foster social inclusion, education, and opportunity for children, youth, and families. The center will also provide spaces for technical and vocational training, cultural and recreational activities, and community support programs that strengthen local resilience and improve the quality of life. The proposed community campus plans to generate much of its energy from solar power, reduce food waste through donation or composting, and incorporate efficient water management and treatment systems.

Academic Support Lead:
Svetoslava Todorova, PhD, BCEEM, ENV SP
Environmental Engineering Program Director
Civil & Environmental Engineering Department
Syracuse University

Simulunda-Sindowe Pedestrian Bridge (Zimba District, Southern Province, Zambia)

Owner: Chiefdoms of Sipantunyana and Simwatachela
Engineering Focus: Structural Bridge Design, Civil/Site

Description: The Simulunda-Sindowe Pedestrian Bridge project connects two villages on either side of the Kolomo River in Zambia. Many residents of these communities have been displaced from other parts of the country, and nearly all of them are subsistence farmers. This bridge project, started by the communities in partnership with Engineers Without Borders, will provide improved and safer access to markets, schools, medical clinics, and more. The project team is designing the bridge so that it can be constructed and maintained in a sustainable manner that considers the culture and financial capacity of the community, as well as the potential impacts of climate change.

Academic Support Lead:
Libby Jones, PhD, ENV SP
Professor & Assoc. Chair for Undergraduate Programs
Civil & Environmental Engineering
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

 

Rehabilitation and Improvement of Railway Infrastructure for the La Dorada–Chiriguaná Railway Corridor (Colombia)

Owner: National Infrastructure Agency (ANI)
Engineering Focus: Transportation, Flood Control, Structural, Civil/Site

Description: The La Dorada–Chiriguaná Railway Corridor is a strategic Public-Private Partnership (PPP) led by Colombia’s National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), with the support of the National Development Finance Agency (FDN). This project is key to modernizing freight transport in Colombia, enhancing logistics efficiency, sustainability, and the resilience of the national transportation system. Designed to reduce freight transport costs by up to 20% and to enhance integration with road, river, port, and airport transport modes, it involves the financing, design, rehabilitation, improvement, operation, and maintenance of railway and logistics infrastructure along a 526 km-corridor between the municipalities of La Dorada (Caldas) and Chiriguaná (Cesar), crossing 25 municipalities in five departments. The project demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and social equity through a set of strategic and measurable actions. Key environmental commitments include reducing CO₂ emissions by 37,000 tons annually, implementing a reforestation plan with at least 5,000 trees, and developing climate adaptation measures aimed at preventing flooding along the railway corridor. Additional efforts include local wildlife protection programs, promotion of integrated disaster risk management, efficient use of renewable natural resources, pollution control, and material recycling throughout all phases of the project.

Academic Support Lead:
David Abraham, PhD, ENV SP
American Planning Association (APA) Regional Sustainability Representative
Urban Land Institute Panel Advisory Services Honorary Association Member
Sr. Fellow, American Leadership Forum Class XXXV
Rice University

Rubidoux’s Water and Education Community Center (Rubidoux, California, USA)

Owner: Rubidoux Community Services District
Engineering Focus: Water Treatment, Civil/Site, Energy Production

Description: The Rubidoux District is fully dependent on groundwater to source its potable water supply, and it currently faces numerous challenges with the existing groundwater quality. To address these challenges and improve quality of life in the Rubidoux community, the district is developing a preliminary design proposal, that incorporates Envision, for a reverse osmosis (R.O.) water treatment facility. Key objectives include optimizing economic, social, and environmental benefits for the community; providing education about the importance of clean drinking water; allocating recreational space for community gatherings; and incorporating solar energy to offset power costs.

Academic Support Lead:
Monica Palomo, PhD, PE, BCEE, ENV SP, F.ASCE
Faculty Advisor for Capstone Team
Cal Poly Pomona

Rehabilitation of Santa Isabel Wastewater Treatment Plant (Puerto Rico)

Owner: Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA)
Engineering Focus: Water Treatment, Upgrade Works

Description: This project will improve overall quality of life for the residents of the municipalities of Santa Isabel and Coamo by enhancing environmental water quality with improved wastewater management facilities. It will also support local agriculture through the production of compost from dewatered sludge. The production of the sludge compost will reduce landfill usage, extend landfill lifespans, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the sale of the compost will generate local employment and provide a new revenue stream for PRASA. 

Academic Support Lead:
Rebekah Oulton, PhD, PE, ENV SP, LEED AP
Associate Professor & Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 

 

What’s Next?

Over the coming months, participants will engage in a series of coordinated activities designed to maximize collaboration and impact for both project teams and academic supporters. Participants will begin with onboarding and an overview of program expectations, followed by Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) credentialing (as applicable). ISI will then host an Applicants Course for the project teams to prepare for applying their knowledge to pursue Envision verification for their projects. Academic supporters will work closely alongside the projects teams to offer analysis, research, and other technical insights while gaining valuable applied-learning experiences. Deep-dive and technical sessions will allow teams to further explore Envision credits, navigate project challenges, and strengthen their sustainability strategies. Finally, participants will have opportunities to document their successes and lessons learned, share their experiences through presentations or publications, and contribute to broader conversations about equitable and sustainable infrastructure.

For more information about TAP — including program goals, benefits, and application details — visit ISI’s Technical Assistance Program page, and stay tuned for more updates as the 2025–2026 TAP cycle continues.