ZPH Virtual Sessions

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 | YouTube

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.

More details at this link.

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The Gordie Howe International Bridge – Envision Platinum. Sustainability along the Windsor-Detroit trade corridor.

April 1, 2022 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | 8:00 am – 9:30 am PST |  Watch recording | Youtube

This session is dedicated to learning about the sustainability of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, an Envision Platinum project, currently under construction, that comprises a 2.5 km long cable-stayed bridge across Windsor to Detroit, the Michigan Interchange, the Canadian Port of Entry, and the United States Port of Entry. Invited speakers will present about the project’s planning, design, construction process, and the Envision assessment.

More details at this link.

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Berryessa Transit Center, Envision Platinum – Assessing Sustainability and Transferring Lessons Learned to Transportation Projects.

March 24, 2022 10:30 am – 12:00 pm EST | 7:30 am – 9:00 am PST |  Watch recording | Youtube

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Berryessa Transit Center earned an Envision Platinum Award for its efforts in improving the overall sustainability and connectivity of the communities in Santa Clara County. This session is dedicated to learning more about the Envision assessment, how the project integrates sustainability through several key features, such as a new multi-modal trail, habitat restoration, green building and infrastructure, and public spaces, as well as advancing environmental justice, creating new jobs, and improving the long-term sustainability of the community. Speakers will also present more about how VTA is transferring lessons learned to their other transportation projects in Silicon Valley.

More details at this link.

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Designing Community Greenway Infrastructure – the Swamp Rabbit Trail Extension in Greenville, SC.

January 20, 2022 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | 8:00 am – 9:30am PST |Watch recording

This session will focus on the planning and design of the Swamp Rabbit Trail Extension, a safe and interconnected trail (4.5 miles) in downtown Greenville that connects and repurposes abandoned railway infrastructure to the existing 22 miles greenway system. Speakers will present about the project design features and development process for community connectivity, mobility, local culture, and economic growth.

More details at this link.

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Cooling Cities. Climate Adaptation Design to Extreme Heat

November 5, 2021 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | 8:00 am – 9:30am PST | Watch recording

This session will introduce the topic of cooling cities as a climate change adaptation response to extreme heat through a design and health focus, using distinct cities from diverse climates as case studies: Baltimore, Stockton, and Singapore. The session will be moderated by Edith Katz, Landscape Architect, Educator, Researcher, and Writer affiliated with the Harvard Climate Change Solutions Fund and Martha Schwartz Partners. Speakers will present research and strategies on Cooling Singapore by Prof. Gerhard Schmitt from ETH Zürich, and on cooling Baltimore and Stockton by Greg Kats from Smart Surfaces Coalition.

More details at this link.

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Designing Equitable Green Infrastructure with Mission-based Communities in St. Louis, MO

September 24, 2021 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | 8:00 am – 9:30am PST | Watch recording

This session will introduce the Greenprint Partners model and process of designing equity-centered green infrastructure in collaboration with 12 local mission-based communities in St. Louis, and with support and financial incentives from the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District. Speakers will discuss green infrastructure through a portfolio of projects where equitable siting and collaborative design helps address social, environmental and climatic goals to support vibrant communities while managing rainwater and transforming green spaces to capture stormwater runoff, and preventing pollution to the Mississippi River.

More details and speaker bios at this link.

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Offshore Wind – Rising to meet energy sustainability challenges. Session led by VHB.

July 9, 2021 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | 8:00 am – 9:30am PST | Watch recording

Offshore Wind development is well underway here in the US after great success in Europe and Asia. This session will explain how offshore wind projects are developed, how they operate, the industry’s impact the environment, and how they are a crucial part of the future of sustainable development. The session will include presentations by offshore wind projects experts KC Sahl, Anne-Elizabeth Kaitano, and Ryan Prime from VHB; and Jamie MacDonald from Xodus.

More details at this link.

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How climate is changing Italy –

Presentation of the book “Il clima che cambia l’Italia” by author Roberto Mezzalama, Golder / SIAB

June 8, 2021 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | 8:00 am – 9:30am PST | Watch recording

Moderated by Patrizia Lombardi, Deputy Rector of the Polytechnic University of Torino.

More details at this link.

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Decarbonizing with H2 Power

May 7, 2021 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | 8:00 am – 9:30am PST | Watch recording

Moderated by Jack Hand

Guest Speakers:

Bob Ethier, New England ISO

Gerry Murray, Power Engineers

David Alonso, Mitsubishi

More details at this link.

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Nature and Health: Green Indoor Infrastructure

April 9, 2021 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | 8:00 am – 9:30am PST | Watch recording

Moderated by Prof. Charles Waldheim, Harvard GSD

Guest Speakers:

Jie Yin, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Heather Greene, Stantec

Bill Browning, Terrapin Bright Green

More details and speakers bios at this link.

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Infrastructure and Challenges related to Sustainable Aviation Fuels at Airports

March 25, 2021 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | 8:00 am – 9:30am PST | Watch recording

Moderated by Jim Grant, HNTB and SIAB.

Guest Speakers:

Will Thurmond, Emerging Markets
Stephanie Meyn, Port of Seattle

More details and speakers bios at this link.

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The ‘Layered Approach’ to Risk Mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission During Travel: A FOCUS ON AIRPORTS

February 25, 2021 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | Watch recording

Moderated by Wendy Purcell, APHI, HSPH, and Jack Spengler, APHI, HSPH

Guest Speakers:

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Portland International Jetport (PWM)

Ramon Sanchez, APHI, HSPH

Ed Nardell, APHI, HSPH

This 90-minute webinar will be focused on airports and how a ‘layered approach’ can reduce the public health risks of SARS-CoV-2 transmissions during travel. The Aviation Public Health Initiative (APHI) has been studying current aircraft, airline, and airport practices and their impact on public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More information about APHI and published reports are available at https://npli.sph.harvard.edu/resources-2/aviation-public-health-initiative-aphi/

More details and speakers bios at this link.

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Innovative Financing Solutions for Resiliency

October 1, 2020 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | Watch recorded session

Led by John Markowitz, Assistant Treasurer at Transurban

More details and speaker bio

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Digital Solutions for a Post-COVID Water Industry: Wastewater-Based Epidemiology and Remote Monitoring

September 17, 2020 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | Watch recorded session

Led by Jane Madden, Senior Vice President, CDM Smith / SIAB

Guest speakers:

Anna Mehrotra, Discipline Leader – Process Modeling and Industrial Treatment, Senior Wastewater Engineer, CDM Smith

Amy Corriveau, Vice President, Director of Emerging Business Development, CDM Smith

COVID is helping propel the water industry toward digital solutions that enhance both public health and resiliency. Wastewater-based epidemiology is one technology that can be digitized by integrating epidemiological, hydraulic, water quality, and viral signal data in a web-based platform, thereby providing actionable information for public health officials. As sewage surveillance programs are increasingly implemented around the globe, we are working to design optimal digital approaches for disease mitigation using wastewater data. Robust remote monitoring capabilities—another digital solution for water utilities—are critical for enabling flexibility to adapt to changing demand while ensuring continuity of water services. If based on the right technology solutions, remote monitoring for water utilities can help manage strains on infrastructure and personnel as well as allow proactive management of water systems. These digital solutions can help future-proof the water industry as well as reinforce its role as public health steward in a post-COVID world.

More details and speakers bios

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Sharing WSP impacts, opportunities and perspectives arising from the pandemic and a global future that is not what it used to be.

August 27, 2020 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | Watch recorded session

Led by Tom Lewis, Sector President from WSP USA and Founding Board Member for the new International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure*

Invited panelists:

Allie Reilly, Associate Consultant from US Advisory Services and the Accelerator for America team that developed the New Infrastructure Playbook

Suzanne MacCormick, Global Healthcare Business Growth Director, based in the UK

Nolan Rome, Senior Vice President and US Healthcare Director

As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, how is WSP adapting and adjusting both as a company and in its ability to help clients and societies thrive in a pandemic-impacted world?   WSP’s short answer is by tackling the challenges head on, creating opportunities, both internally and externally, and by staying agile, empowered, sustainable and resilient. This panel of WSP leaders from the US and the UK will share compelling corporate, industry and project examples in which they have been engaged since the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world.

*WSP is an ZPH SIAB member company.

More details and speakers bios.

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A Lesson from COVID-19: Re-envisioning Public Private Partnerships

August 14, 2020 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST | Watch recorded session

Led by Aladdine Joroff,  Lecturer and Staff Attorney at Harvard Law School’s Emmett Environmental Law & Policy Clinic

Guest speaker:

Rebecca Harvey, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Boynton Beach, Florida

Responses to COVID-19 have illustrated the important role of local governments and the need for them to have greater responsibility for and input on responses to systemic risks.  At the same time, in light of budgetary constraints, multiple demands on resources and the fact that many public health and environmental threats do not recognize jurisdictional boundaries, greater coordination is needed among local enterprises – both between government entities and with the private sector.  Municipal interest in coordination with multiple parties is not a new phenomenon, but given the extreme complexity, uncertainty and high projected costs of preparing for and responding to the impacts of events like COVID-19 and climate change, more fluid forms of public private partnerships are required.  These evolving forms of inter-jurisdictional, cross organizational efforts require changes to traditional models for such coordination and different roles for private partners, including consultants and lawyers.

More details and speakers bios. 

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Transportation and The Outlook for Recovery

July 30, 2020 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST |  Watch recorded session

Led by Kary Witt, Vice President, National Tolls Practice, HNTB*

Guest speakers:

Cherian George, Managing Director – Global Infrastructure and Project Finance, Fitch Ratings

Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim, Sr. Vice President – National Transit and Rail Market Sector Leader, HNTB*

Timothy Papandreou, Founder and CEO, Emerging Transport Advisors

Transportation is key to economic vitality and quality of life.  The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on our transportation systems across all modes of travel.  Some transportation sectors appear to have hit bottom and be recovering while others remain at historically low levels.  What is the future of transportation in a post COVID environment?  How long will recovery take and what will the “new normal” look like?  Our experts will look at the impacts of the pandemic and share their views on recovery and long term impacts of this unprecedented event.

*HNTB is an ZPH SIAB member company.

More details and speaker bios.

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Unintended Consequences:

COVID-19 and the Acceleration of Digital Transformation in Infrastructure Engineering, Construction, and Operations

July 16, 2020 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST |  Watch recorded session

Led by Chris Barron from Bentley Systems and SIAB.

Guest speakers:

Keith Clarke, former CEO of Atkins and Chairman of Forum for the Future

Maurice Tayeh, Global CIO for Hatch

Speaker bios and more details.

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Sustainable construction can aid post COVID-19 recovery in developing economies.

June 25, 2020 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST  |  Watch recorded session 

Led by Deepa Sathiaram from EN3 Solutions and SIAB.

Guest speakers:

Vinamra Srivastava, CEO, Business Parks, CapitaLand India

Chris Barron, Chief Communications Officer, Bentley Systems and SIAB

Speaker bios and more details.

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Choosing the Right Infrastructure After COVID-19

June 11, 2020 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST  |  Watch recorded session

Led by Roberto Mezzalama from Golder Associates and SIAB

Guest speakers:

Piero Pelizzaro, Milan Chief Resilience Officer and the City Lead for the H2020 Lighthouse project Sharing Cities at the Municipality of Milan.
Patrizia Lombardi, Deputy Dean of the Polytechnic University of Torino.

Speaker bios and more details.

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COVID-19 and Public Health. Managing buildings for safe working and learning environments after reopening.

May 14, 2020 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST  |  Watch recorded session 

Led by John Spengler from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and ZPH faculty advisor

and Joe Allen from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Without a vaccine or effective treatment, stopping transmission remains the most effective defense against COVID-19. As cities and states are starting to lift stay-at-home orders to reopen the economy; the management of buildings’ indoor environments becomes ground zero to prevent transmission. We plan for an interactive session to discuss the following: How does the COVID-19 pandemic will change how we operate and manage buildings? 

More details.

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Sustainable Infrastructure after COVID-19 crisis

April 30, 2020 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST  |  Watch recorded session 

Led by John Macomber, HBS and ZPH Faculty advisor

John Macomber of the Harvard Business School will lead an interactive session looking at possible health and business scenarios in the face of two large uncertainties: Will Covid-19 have a short or long duration impact on humanity; and will low fossil energy prices last for a short or long time. Both of these phenomena directly affect firms involved in sustainability, resilience, public infrastructure, and renewable energy. We will use the Zoom platform as it is used in Harvard Business School MBA classes including discussion, voting, commenting, and debate.

This session is a continuation from a series of discussions, latest on April 7, 2020 with SIABs to explore COVID-19 crisis and infrastructure and the ISI/ZPH virtual workshop on March 23-24.

More details.