INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Historically, the most cost-effective, efficient use of resources to meet goals and objectives of organizations or agencies has driven decision making. Local priorities won out over global ones, and public and private partnerships were more of a novelty than standard practice. Today, however, technological advances and protection of limited natural resources mandate a partnership of interests to fuel innovative ideas for moving humankind into the age of sustainability. Meeting societal needs without endangering the ability of future generations to meet their own needs will necessitate sustainable management practices, and engineers will be at the forefront of managing sustainability. Fundamental changes, however, must occur in engineering, regulatory, and bureaucratic philosophies. For instance, engineers must become innovative thinkers, ensuring that technological applications incorporate sustainable development concepts. Also, regulatory policies must include positive economic incentive to encourage investment in research and development that leads to innovation. And on the bureaucratic level, people must become informed risk takers capable of making responsible, timely decisions.