Image above: Sydney, Australia
What do you see as the key considerations today to create sustainable infrastructure solutions?
Eric Peissel: More and more today, developing sustainable infrastructure requires interdisciplinary expertise from teams of professionals whose roles are both practical and innovative. These diverse contributions are needed to make sure both the natural and built environments are considered when creating holistic solutions.
Historically, engineering has always focused on problem solving, using proven methods and tools to develop infrastructure and systems that help society function. Today, with impacts from climate change and data-driven systems, to name a couple of major trends, our professionals must also bring knowledge of global issues and digital skills to develop advanced solutions that extend beyond traditional infrastructure, to improve the quality of life for people and preserve the planet.
As we devise holistic solutions, it’s important to ask: How can we develop infrastructure in a carbon-conscious way and build in resilience to climatic events? How can be shape inclusive transport systems, to serve the needs of all people who want to use them, regardless of gender, age, background or neurodiversity?
Now and going forward, engineering solutions must build in resilience while conserving both water and energy, enabling infrastructure to withstand extreme and more frequent weather events. It is also essential to protect and restore biodiversity, by embracing and using nature-based solutions. We need to engage with diverse populations to advance equitable solutions in transport and reconnect communities as we expand existing systems and develop new ones. These key issues affect the problem-solving landscape today, and our ability to address these issues determines our success as problem solvers and providers of future-proof solutions for communities, as this remains the core of what we do.
