Proposal of Technical Committee on the Sustainable
Development of Civil Engineering (TC-5)
(revised by CICHE on July 6, 2006)
Chinese Institute of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering
By nature, Civil
Engineering deals with public service in our society, i.e., civil engineers
design structures, plan land use, build roads, buildings and bridges, construct
water reservoirs, handle water supply and wastewater treatment; all these
functions are to ensure safety and comfort in our daily life. In the final analysis, civil engineers
attempt to improve the quality of life for all citizens.
Of course,
sustainable development involves the entire sector in all levels in our
society, from government to industry to individual, as well as from nation to
nation. The role of engineers is of
importance because they implement the policies made by decision makers. However, in this proposal, the role of
civil engineers in conjunction with the sustainable development is addressed.
If one can
understand the simple concept of sustainable development (development which meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs), one can simply
incorporate sustainable development into the Civil Engineering field. For example, the use of raw materials
should be minimized, energy reduced, design of public works (reservoirs,
airport, bridges and roads, etc.) adequate, water supply safe, pollutant
discharge reduced, roads/bridges long lasting, a smart community promoted,
transportation convenient, flood control adequate, response for natural
disasters (e.g., earthquake and flood) rapid, and infrastructure sound and
environmental friendly. These
efforts all lead to sustainability in our society.
To that end, we emphasize the education
and information exchange of the sustainability experience in Civil
Engineering. Thus, a technical
committee to address this concern was established within the consensus of the
Chinese Institute of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering. The specific objectives are to: (1)
increase public awareness of sustainable development within the Civil
Engineering field; (2) interact with other professional societies, particularly
the Chinese Institute of Environmental Engineering for
cooperation; (3) collect relevant information for sustainable development
within the Civil Engineering field; and (4) formulate Civil Engineering
curriculum for sustainability.
Consequently,
four (4) subcommittees will be formed to address each of these four
objectives. Furthermore, three major
themes will be emphasized in each subcommittee: (1) Water Environment including water resource protection, water use,
wastewater treatment and water reuse; (2) Transportation
including green transportation, mass rapid transit system, transportation energy
and pollutant emission; and (3) Construction
Materials including resource reuse (e.g., fly ash and disposed construction
materials).
In consultation
with the Executive Committee, ACECC, the formation, goal and function of different committees may be
revised.
1. Committee Organization
Technical Committee
The committee is charged to oversee the activities of
all subcommittees and at the end summarize the findings from each
subcommittee. Since some activities
of the subcommittees are intertwined, it is important for the technical
committee to identify the main goal for each subcommittee.
The committee is chaired by Alan Cheng-Fang LIN,
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering,
Subcommittee - Public Awareness:
The subcommittee is charged to provide means and
Identify methods to emphasize the role of Civil Engineers in sustainable
development. Public in general and
practicing Civil Engineers as well as Civil Engineering students in particular
should be aware the important role of civil engineers in the sustainable
development.
Subcommittee – Interaction with other Professional
Societies:
The subcommittee is charged to interact with other
professional societies for input and cooperation to enhance the role of Civil
Engineers in sustainable development.
Subcommittee - Information Collection and Exchange:
The subcommittee is charged to collect relevant
information about the role of civil engineers in sustainable development. In particular, what is the role of civil
engineers in conjunction with other engineers in sustainable development? For example, how is Civil
Engineering incorporated into Sustainable
Engineering? What are other Civil
Engineer(ing) societies (Associations) doing with the
sustainable development? What types
of curriculum have other Civil Engineering Departments (Schools) incorporated
or plan to incorporate for sustainable development for civil engineers?
Subcommittee - Education:
This is the main part of our Technical Committee. The conventional curriculum may not be
applicable. One needs to develop a
new set of curriculum, as well as a new way of thinking in conducting classes. For example, class materials should
cover relevant parts of design and materials as well as construction in Civil
Engineering in relation to sustainability.
The introduction and inclusion of sustainability in all classes is the 1st
step to achieve the noble goal of sustainable development. In each class, the instructor should
cover the implication of his/her lecture to sustainable development. Freshman (or senior) students in civil
engineering should design a project emphasizing in sustainable development.
The importance of engineering ethics, resource
recycle/reuse and ecology and environment restoration should also be
emphasized.
2. Committee Activities
The main function of each committee/subcommittee is
stated above. The tasks/activities
to achieve its goal are in the discretion of each subcommittee. Each subcommittee, however, should
report to Technical Committee its finding twice annually. Technical Committee,
in turn, shall submit the report to the Chair of the TCC and general secretary
of the ACECC before the Executive Committee meeting.
A workshop (such as forum at the CECAR) may be appropriate
for the Technical Committee to disassemble results to all interested parties.
3. Committee Tasks in 2006 and 2007
Three tasks are
proposed:
(1). In collaboration with MACE, it is proposed to hold a
Workshop in
(2). During
the 4th CECAR to be held in Taiwan in 2007, a Forum will be
established to redefine the mission and vision of our four subcommittees in
general and future tasks to be completed for each subcommittee in particular.
(3). During the 4th CECAR to be held in
4. Duration of Committee Activities
The duration of the Committee/subcommittees defined
above should begin from the approval of this proposal to the end of 4th
CEACR.
4. Funding Sources
The proposal will be submitted for National Science
Council of ROC and private enterprises and foundations for possible funding.
Prepared by:
Alan Cheng-Fang LIN, Ph.D.
Professor and Director
Graduate Institute of Environmental
Engineering
