The relevance of ageing for civil infrastructure: The profession, the politics, the classroom

Abstract

The work of civil engineers and researchers has strong impact on public policy for infrastructure funding. This talk considers several professional, political and education-related thrusts. First is the challenge of communicating about intrinsically qualitative matters with metrics that support rational decision making for spending public funds. Second, it is necessary to confront political realities when trying to influence infrastructure-investment policy in free and democratic societies. Third, ageing of infrastructure is complex, and it demands new knowledge to address technical, economic and political aspects. Fourth, the new knowledge and expanded skills expected of future engineers are driving the reform of curriculum and pedagogy. This talk revels in the opportunity to marry technical facts with political commentary in the spirit of provoking thoughtful debate and discussion.