Green building has come far thanks to LEED and similar assessments. But other forms of infrastructure – transportation, energy, water, etc. – also benefit require sustainable design.
We come in at the early phase of project design to analyze four key aspects of infrastructure sustainability across multiple criteria:
- Livable communities. The purpose of infrastructure is to support communities. To what extent does the project preserve and enhance the community’s development, unique character, and wellbeing of its population?
- Resource optimization. Materials, energy, and water are required for infrastructure construction and operations. To what extent are these resources optimally minimized, responsibly sourced, and given full lifecycle consideration?
- Natural synergy. Infrastructure projects are located within natural systems. To what extent is the project sited and designed to minimize negative impacts on – and interact synergistically with – local land, water, and biodiversity?
- Climate risk. Climate change can impact the ability of infrastructure to meet the needs of the community. To what extent does the project minimize emissions that contribute to climate change, and can it withstand and adapt to risks such as fires, floods, sea level rise, and changes in weather patterns?
In addition to sustainability recommendations, we help clients identify areas of opportunity in enhancing project collaboration, systems thinking, and long-term planning.
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