The Role of Civil Engineering: Climate Change and Global Warming - Essay Example

Civil Engineering, Leadership and Sustainable Development Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Name Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Course Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Instructor Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Date Leadership characteristics required by 21st civil engineers to lead large scale infrastructure project such as Olympic Civil engineers play a very critical role in building as well as maintaining systems that make life possible such as cross rails, Olympics, transportation, waste management and the environment (Gibson 2000). Depending on the area of specialization, civil engineers are largely involved in designing, planning or construction of projects. It is quite notable that the 21st century has been marked by mega innovation and building such as cross rail, the Olympic, HS2 and New Street Stations. From these mega projects, more people across the globe have been able to appreciate the role of civil engineers to the 21st century society. Further, these projects have played a crucial role in bringing engineering to the forefront (Gibson 2000). In order to these mega projects to be successful, there is need for a 21st century civil engineer to have leadership characteristics so as to be in a position to manage such large projects that normally have tight financial and time constraints. It is quite evident that the Olympic Games are the world most complex and largest sporting event to manage as well as host. According to Kahn (2004), this project involves significant public expenditure, building of infrastructure and building and therefore need for major stakeholder management. This mega project involve both private and public stakeholder who have different ideas and interests on such developments. A civil engineer in the 21st century needs to understand stakeholder management so as to ensure the success of the Olympics. Stakeholder management in the civil engineering view supports company strategic aims through interpreting and influencing both internal and external environments not forgetting creating positive relationship with all stakeholders by way of appropriately managing their expectation as well as agreed objectives (Jawahar and McLaughlin 2001). Some of in the Olympic projects are the federal government, tourism organizations, organizing committee for Olympic Games, residents, business owners and volunteering organizations. As a civil engineering it is very important to identify all the stakeholders involved in any project (McDaniels 2000). After identifying all the stakeholder there is need for the civil engineer leading the project to engage the stakeholders through acknowledging as well as recognizing the concerns, needs and wants of the stakeholders. Engaging creates an opportunity for both the stakeholders and the leading civil engineer to discuss as well as agree on set principles and value that all stakeholders will abide with (Newcombe 2003). Further, a civil engineer need to have good team work because of the fact that civil engineering in a mega project such as the Olympic can be broad and complex venture. When working in teams and a wide range of stakeholders being involved, a 21st century civil engineer needs to be able to communicate as well as cooperate with all these individuals (Newcombe 2003). Civil engineering in Olympics is divided into various disciplines namely; transportation, geotechnical, urban or municipal, environmental and water resource management, therefore a civil engineer needs to work with others effectively so as to complete a project. Newcombe (2003) maintain that, communication is a very crucial part in managing resources since it enhances how ideas and information is shared. Managing of resources in the Olympic project required creativity from the part of the civil engineer. In the civil engineering field, creativity play a crucial role in imagining possible solutions as well as problems that may occur while working on a project since a civil engineer must focus not only on designing and maintaining the structure but also organizing and evaluating technical data so as to be in a position to solve detailed engineering problems (Olander 2003). A good example of effective team work is the London 2012. Due to its global profile as well as detailed planning the London 2012 Olympic, leading effective teamwork from the leading civil engineer saw the transport, park and venue development being on schedule. The proper management of resources builds a lasting legacy for the London 2012 Olympic. According to Olander (2003), a civil engineer in such as mega project need to ensure he engages in long term planning, management and development. It is quite evident that the London 2012 Olympic provide an excellent example of how infrastructure delivery is effective due to efficient leadership characteristics by engineers. Team management skills are very important. Project managers need to ensure that things are done in the right way. However, in business, the focus is on leadership, particularly on the joy and glamour that comes with it. Good management skills will ensure things are implemented as planned. A good manager thus requires planning, delegation, communication and motivation skills. According to Olander (2003), strategy is also an important skill in large scale Olympic projects that is how you organize yourself as a project civil engineer leader with the ultimate goal of succeeding. Specific strategy models for effective leadership in large scale Olympic projects include core strategy tools, competitive advantage, strategic options, organization design, and strategic prioritization, executing strategy, sourcing, among others. Similar to strategy, problem solving skills are also important in large scale Olympic projects. There is no single project without problems and challenges. According to Olander (2003), these skills will therefore help civil engineer program leader in dealing with specific problems likely to impact negatively on the project particularly on effective and efficient use of resources. Some problems may be a threat to the successful completion of the project. According to Olander (2003), decision making skills are key in leadership of such large scale projects as the Olympics. Good decision making skills in various aspects of the projects including the financial are particularly important to ensure proper management of resources Sustainable development and civil engineering Dodds and Venables (2005) maintain that, in today age of increased climate change and global warming, there is need to incorporate sustainable development in the field of civil engineering. It is quite evident that despite increased improvement in environmental performance of civil engineering, the recent approach to development by most civil engineers remains unsustainable (Parkin, Sommer and Uren 2003). Most developments currently are consuming global natural resources beyond its ability to regenerate them while at the same time generating waste at an increased rate that cannot be effectively sustained. Clearly, civil engineering delivers the infrastructure on which the modern life highly depends on. Nevertheless, there is a strong sense of imbalance between the civil engineer developments and sustainable development that promote the environmental, economic and social benefits (Parkin, Sommer and Uren 2003). According to Parkin (2000), civil engineers being members of the built environment, there is need to effectively rectify the imbalance ensuring their developments are in great harmony with the natural environment. Rectifying the imbalance can only be rectified by embedding the concept of sustainable development into the various disciplines of civil engineering. There is need for a graduate civil engineer to implement the principle of sustainable development during their career. According to Parkin (2000), embedding the concept of sustainable development creates a strategy that will allow all civil engineers decision and action affect sustainable development whether globally, nationally and locally. It is quite evident that with increased engineering and infrastructure requires civil engineers graduate to integrate environmental and social impacts considerations. Sustainability is defined as a set of environmental, social and economic conditions in which the larger society has the capacity as well as opportunity to improve and maintain its quality of life without compromising the quantity and quality of ecosystem and natural resources (Becker 2005). Becker (2005) maintain that, sustainable development is defined as the processes of using natural resources converting them into products and services that are more productive and useful while at the same time maintaining the quality, productivity, quantity and availability of the natural resource base as well as the ecosystem on which they depend on. From this definition, it is important that civil engineers graduate to recognize their roles in enhancing sustainable development through innovative solutions so as to address the various challenges of sustainability. Fenner et al (2006) maintain that, civil engineers have a major role in planning, building and designing a sustainable future since they effectively provide a bridge between society and science. Embedding sustainable development principles into the civil engineering field will enable graduates to understand the reality of limited natural resources and therefore enhanced desire to adopt sustainable practices (Fenner et al 2006). Linking principle of sustainable development to the field of civil engineering will promote broad understanding among civil engineers of environmental, economic and social issues related to sustainable development. The first principle of sustainable development principle that civil engineers graduates need to understand is equality between generations in the use of natural resources. Sustainable development is the ability of the current generation to use natural resources without compromising the ability of future generation to depend on the same natural resources (Lawn 2004). With this principle it is evident that today civil engineers need to effectively understand the interaction of their technical practices and the growing environmental issues. Here, the civil engineers need to have the ability to design as well as construct constructions that environmental friendly by way of understanding the impacts of their development in social and global contexts (Lawn 2004). Clearly, understanding the principle of equality allows civil engineers to develop their awareness of, plan and construction practices does not negatively impact on the future generation. Additionally, the principle allows civil engineers to develop and maintain buildings and infrastructure that significantly shapes the society in a manner that sustains the environment through generating long term wealth while at the same time enhancing the quality of life. According to Foley et al (2003), a graduate civil engineer needs to engage in promotion of information exchange as well as knowledge sharing so as to enhance sustainable development. I believe as civil engineer graduates we can implement this principle of sustainable development through sharing of knowledge and information amongst ourselves. Further, graduates can develop as well as maintain linkages with other graduates in other disciplines so as to engage in reviewing sustainable agenda so as to ensure common thinking within the university on sustainability issues (Siller 2001). Evidently, establishing task groups within the civil engineering school can enhance sharing on knowledge that can be used to advance sustainability. It is quite evident that task group plays an important role in enhancing sustainability a good example is in the delivering a sustainable London 2012 Olympics. Siller (2001) maintains that, there is need for the civil engineers to embed sustainable through engaging with various stakeholders in establishing research activities so as to effectively address topic of civil engineering and sustainable development. Students together with stakeholders can initiate research programs so as to broaden the understanding how to successfully promote sustainable practices in the civil engineering sector. Finally, civil engineers need to take the leading role in promoting the role of civil engineering in addressing maters of climate change and global warming. I believe the civil engineering works have major impact on environment and therefore students need to come together to identify challenges posed by climate change. Clearly, engineering with key focus on civil engineering is at the heart of solving global sustainability challenges since it links both the society and science (Siller 2001). There is dire need to enhance strong commitment as well as leadership so as to effectively tap into the huge potential of civil engineering to protect the larger environment while at the same time promoting sustainable development. According to Foley et al (2003), students need to understand that there is a huge opportunity for them to demonstrate strong commitment and leadership through assisting their clients achieve value for their resources through sustainable options. In conclusion, to stand at the current test of time, sustainability development need to be build into everyday civil engineer work activities (Siller 2001). This will enable civil engineering students to understand their activities are central to both mitigation and adaptation of climate change. It is therefore important that a graduate civil engineer to work towards adopting sustainable development through reducing the level of carbon emission from their work. With today urbanization that has led to increased environmental degradation, the civil engineering field with focus on graduate in this field need to rethink as well as adapt sustainability. References Becker, J. 2005, Measuring Progress Towards Sustainable Development: an Ecological Framework for Selecting Indicators. Local Environ. 10, 87. Dodds, R. and Venables, R. 2005, Engineering for Sustainable Development: Guiding Principles. London: The Royal Academy of Engineering Fenner, R.A., Ainger, C.M., Cruickshank, H.J., Gu thrie, P.M. 2006,. Widening engineering horizons: Addressing the complexity of sustainable development. Eng. Sust. , 159, 145. Foley, B.A., Daniell, T.M., Warner, R.F. 2003, what is Sustainability and Can it be measured? Australian Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering, 1(1), 1-8 Gibson, K. 2000, The moral basis of stakeholder theory. Journal of Business Ethics, 26(3), 245-257. Jawahar, I.M. and McLaughlin, G.L. 2001, Toward a Descriptive Stakeholder Theory: An Organizational Life Cycle Approach. The Academy of Management Review, 226(3), 397-414. Kahn, J. 2004, Local Politics of Renewable Energy, Project Planning, Siting Conflicts and Citizen Participation, Environmental and Energy Systems Studies, Lund University. Lawn, P. 2004, The sustainable development concept and indicators: an introductory essay. Int. J. Environ. Sust. Dev., 3, 199 McDaniels, T. 2000, Creating and using objectives for ecological risk assessment and management, Environmental Science & Policy, 3(6), 299-304. Newcombe, R. 2003, From client to project stakeholders: a stakeholder mapping approach. Construction Management and Economics, 21(8), 841-848. Olander, S. 2003, External Stakeholder Management in the Construction Process, Division of Construction Management, Lund University. Parkin, K, 2000, Sustainable development: the concept and practical challenge, in Sustainable development: Making it happen, Special Issue of Civil Engineering, Journal of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Special Issue Two of Volume 138 pp 3–8 Parkin, S., Sommer, F. and Uren, S., 2003, Sustainable development: understanding the concept and practical challenge, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Engineering Sustainability, 2003, 156, No. 1, 19-26, Thomas Telford, London Siller, T. 2001, Sustainability and Critical Thinking in Civil Engineering Curriculum. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 127(3), 104-108. Read More

A good example of effective team work is the London 2012. Due to its global profile as well as detailed planning the London 2012 Olympic, leading effective teamwork from the leading civil engineer saw the transport, park and venue development being on schedule. The proper management of resources builds a lasting legacy for the London 2012 Olympic. According to Olander (2003), a civil engineer in such as mega project need to ensure he engages in long term planning, management and development. It is quite evident that the London 2012 Olympic provide an excellent example of how infrastructure delivery is effective due to efficient leadership characteristics by engineers.

Team management skills are very important. Project managers need to ensure that things are done in the right way. However, in business, the focus is on leadership, particularly on the joy and glamour that comes with it. Good management skills will ensure things are implemented as planned. A good manager thus requires planning, delegation, communication and motivation skills. According to Olander (2003), strategy is also an important skill in large scale Olympic projects that is how you organize yourself as a project civil engineer leader with the ultimate goal of succeeding.

Specific strategy models for effective leadership in large scale Olympic projects include core strategy tools, competitive advantage, strategic options, organization design, and strategic prioritization, executing strategy, sourcing, among others. Similar to strategy, problem solving skills are also important in large scale Olympic projects. There is no single project without problems and challenges. According to Olander (2003), these skills will therefore help civil engineer program leader in dealing with specific problems likely to impact negatively on the project particularly on effective and efficient use of resources.

Some problems may be a threat to the successful completion of the project. According to Olander (2003), decision making skills are key in leadership of such large scale projects as the Olympics. Good decision making skills in various aspects of the projects including the financial are particularly important to ensure proper management of resources Sustainable development and civil engineering Dodds and Venables (2005) maintain that, in today age of increased climate change and global warming, there is need to incorporate sustainable development in the field of civil engineering.

It is quite evident that despite increased improvement in environmental performance of civil engineering, the recent approach to development by most civil engineers remains unsustainable (Parkin, Sommer and Uren 2003). Most developments currently are consuming global natural resources beyond its ability to regenerate them while at the same time generating waste at an increased rate that cannot be effectively sustained. Clearly, civil engineering delivers the infrastructure on which the modern life highly depends on.

Nevertheless, there is a strong sense of imbalance between the civil engineer developments and sustainable development that promote the environmental, economic and social benefits (Parkin, Sommer and Uren 2003). According to Parkin (2000), civil engineers being members of the built environment, there is need to effectively rectify the imbalance ensuring their developments are in great harmony with the natural environment. Rectifying the imbalance can only be rectified by embedding the concept of sustainable development into the various disciplines of civil engineering.

There is need for a graduate civil engineer to implement the principle of sustainable development during their career. According to Parkin (2000), embedding the concept of sustainable development creates a strategy that will allow all civil engineers decision and action affect sustainable development whether globally, nationally and locally. It is quite evident that with increased engineering and infrastructure requires civil engineers graduate to integrate environmental and social impacts considerations.

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