ZPH Research: Climate Action at the Project Level. Lecture by Prof. Spiro N. Pollalis

April 13, 2022 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | 8:00 am – 9:30 am PST |  Watch recording

This session is dedicated to ongoing Zofnass Program research on the nexus of the climate change and biodiversity crises, and the need for integrated solutions to deal with both threats simultaneously. Prof. Spiro N. Pollalis, founder and director of the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at Harvard, will introduce the ongoing research work in establishing an Envision-based framework for capturing biodiversity loss and climate change-related risks and opportunities at the project level with the objective to assist projects in their alignment and urgent response to the climate change action.

ZPH Research References:

(a) Sustainability and Lifecycle Assessment

(a.1) “Integrating Sustainability and LCA: Pilot Application on transportation infrastructure projects.” in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) and with the contribution of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO’s) West Region. Download NRCC Final Report

(a.2) The Sustainability Lifecycle Tool (in Excel)

(a.3) Bayfield River Bridge Replacement project Envision Pre-assessment using the Envision Checklist. A project of the MTO’s West Region served as a case study for the research.

(b) Sustainability Project Indicators and ESG Systems

(b.1) Prof. S.N. Pollalis, Chatzistavrou E. and Tzioti O. (April 2021). “Mapping of the Aligned Indicators for Sustainable Infrastructure (AISI) against Established ESG Systems.” Final report developed for the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF) of the World Bank. Download Mapping of AISI against established ESG systems_Final Report

(c) On Climate Change Action

(c.1) Prof. S.N. Pollalis, Chatzistavrou E., Kouveli A. (January 2021). “2020-2021 Zofnass Program Research Framework.” Download ZHP Research Framework_Climate action

(c.2) Prof. S.N. Pollalis, Chatzistavrou E., Kouveli A., Marinou E., Rodriguez J. and Tzioti O. (June 2021).  “Assessment of projects for (a) mitigation and adaptation to climate change, and (b) attractiveness to investments” Download ZHP Research Final Report- climate action

(d) Integrated Climate Change- Biodiversity Action

(d.1) “2021-2022 Research Framework of the assessment of projects for (a) integrated climate-biodiversity action and (b) attractiveness to investments” Download ZHP Research Framework_Integrated climate-biodiversity action

(d.2) Prof. S.N. Pollalis, Chatzistavrou E., Kouveli A., Marinou E., Rodriguez J. and Tzioti O. (March 2022).  “Assessment of projects for (a) integrated climate-biodiversity action and (b) attractiveness to investments” Interim Report. Download ZHP Research Interim report_Integrated climate-biodiversity action

Download the session’s presentation slides: Prof Pollalis-Climate action at the project level_update

Prof. Spiro N. Pollalis, founder and director of the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure

Professor Pollalis is Professor of Design Technology and Management, Emeritus at the Harvard Design School. Since 2008, he has been the Director of the Zofnass Program for the Sustainability of Infrastructure (www.gsd.harvard.edu/research/research_centers/zofnass/) that has led to the Envision Rating System. He is also the Principal Investigator of the project “Gulf Sustainable Urbanism” for 10 cities in the Arab Gulf. He has taught as a visiting professor at the ETH-Zurich, Switzerland; TU-Delft, Holland; Uni-Stuttgart, Germany; U-Patras, Greece; and has offered joint courses with the Harvard Business School on planning and development. He serves as the co-chair of the Advisory Committee on Future Cities for the Singapore-ETH Center.

Prof. Pollalis is the chief planner for the new DHA City Karachi for 600,000 people, currently under construction, and the concept designer of the information infrastructure in the new administrative city in Korea. He served as the Chairman and CEO of the public company for the redevelopment of Hellinikon, the former Athens airport, and he developed the base master plan and business plan. He currently serves as a member of the Athens Planning Committee. He has designed two signature bridges: the Main Street Bridge in Columbus Ohio and the Kifisias pedestrian bridge in Athens, Greece, and played a central role in the iconic cable-stayed Zakim Bridge, the new symbol of Boston. Since 1999, Prof. Pollalis has been a contractor to the General Services Administration (GSA) for the “Learning from Our Legacy” program.

Professor Pollalis received his first degree from the University in Athens (EMP) and his Master’s and PhD from MIT. His MBA in high technology is from Northeastern University. He has an honorary Master’s degree in Architecture from Harvard.