2015-09-06

CVL300
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND IMPACT
ASSESSMENT
Presentation 3
Civil Engineering and the environment

Engineering
• Engineering in the past was a trade in the
society which solved technical problems such
as water supply, waste management, tools
and manufacturing.
• It became a profession as engineers served
not only the clients but also the society.
• In addition, engineers were involved in
military operation such as road and bridge
construction, fort construction, weapons, etc.
• For non-military activities, it became “civil”
engineering.

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Civil Engineers
• Unlike other engineers (e.g. electrical,
mechanical), civil engineers need a
broad understanding of various
discipline of science and practices
• Civil engineers practise construction
engineering, structural engineering,
water resources engineering,
environmental engineering,
transportation engineering, geotechnical
engineering, geomatic engineering, etc.

Impacts of Civil Engineering

• Shape the landscape with roads and

buildings.
• Use natural resources to support
population and economic growth.
• Generate wastes from construction,
operation and maintenance.

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New Focus of Civil Engineering

• Sustainability
• Life cycles
• Openness to new ideas and ways
• Risk and reliability
• Multi-disciplinary collaboration
• Holistic approach to problem solving

2007 CSCE Guidelines for Sustainable

Development
• “The concepts of sustainability should guide the
civil engineer: to recognize the full life cycle of a
project or system; to ensure follow-up by the
designer during the operational phase of works;
to use performance indicators in post-
implementation monitoring of projects; and to
balance the environment, social and economic
objectives over the entire life of the project – the
“Trip Bottom Line” – in infrastructure
development.”

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2007 CSCE Guidelines for Sustainable

Development
• Civil engineers should
• (1) ensure civil infrastructure will benefit
the poor and protect human health and
ecosystem integrity;
• (2) communicate all aspects of
infrastructure including function and
impacts to the publics; and
• (3) take a leader role to promote
sustainability in our world.

2007 CSCE Guidelines for Sustainable

Development
• Civil engineering practices include
• (1) vision/mission/values;
• (2) natural environment;
• (3) financial and economic sustainability;
• (4) green construction;
• (5) human resources;
• (6) social, regulatory, and health concerns;
• (7) ethics;
• (8) participation; and
• (9) implementation.

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Green Practices in Planning &

Design
• Green development concept
• Pollution prevention
• Material and energy minimization

Green Construction
• “Green construction is the philosophy and practice of using
products and methods that promote environmental care
and optimal living, through a commitment to natural
resource conservation, energy efficiency, and better indoor
air quality.”
• green practices include (1) prevention of construction
waste; (2) timely purchase to reduce construction waste;
(3) reuse and recycle of waste; (4) implementation of green
security to stop waste due to theft; (5) awareness of local
construction and demolition recycling requirements; (6)
control of erosion, sedimentation, and stormwater runoff;
(7) selection of green materials and suppliers; and (8)
development and implementation of waste management
plan.

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Operation and Maintenance

• Civil engineering structures or

infrastructure be operated and
maintained efficiently to reduce energy
consumption and wastes.
• energy saving techniques such as
innovative insulation materials, green
roofs, solar and wind power, geothermal
and tidal power, deep lake cooling, and
energy reclamation should be
considered.

Green Development Example

Sabban Tower at Pearl Qatar (QR 1
billion)
• The concept of carbon neutral is to
minimize the carbon production due to
the project and offset the difference by
conducting carbon credit projects (e.g.
renewable technologies, energy
efficiency projects, and land-use
change projects and methane capture)
in other countries.
• 25% of the carbon emissions from the
construction of the Sabban Towers was
offset by carbon credit projects in
Uganda, New Zealand and Jamaica
and additional projects will continue be
used to offset carbon emissions.