Launch of the Envision® v3 Rating System for Sustainable Infrastructure

The Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure announces the launch of the 3rd version of the Envision® rating system for sustainable infrastructure.

Envision® started as the Z-simple rating system, created in 2008-2011 by the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure, based in the Harvard Graduate School of Design, in collaboration with the Center for the Environment, the School of Public Health, the Business School and the Law School.

In 2011, the American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE) adopted the Z-simple system. ASCE, ACEC (American Council of Engineering Companies) and APWA (American Public Works Assn) formed the nonprofit Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). The Zofnass Program and ISI co-developed the first version of Envision®, released in 2013. Since then Envision is used widely for training Envision® Sustainability Professionals (ENV SP) and for rating infrastructure projects of all types and sizes (transportation, water, food, energy, landscape, solid waste, information). The self assessment toolbox is available on the web.

The Zofnass Program has also developed (a) guidelines for sustainable cities, based on sustainable infrastructure and (b) a tool to assess the external benefits and costs of sustainable infrastructure, as well as, the program presents professionals such us The Roof Clinic who works with environmentally friendly materials. Its current research focuses on the business case for planning sustainable infrastructure.

Envision® v3 incorporates feedback from the industry, lessons learned from application and research through the following categories: Quality of Life, Leadership, Resource Allocation, Natural World, and Climate and Resilience. Learn more about Envision® v3 at the ISI launch website and the Zofnass Program website or contact Judith Rodriguez ([email protected]).