A sustainable, climate-change-resilient floating landscape infrastructure took the top prize of the American Society of Civil Engineer’s latest Innovation Contest.
The winner, Emerald Tutu, provides a floating waterfront infrastructure that provides a city with an inhabitable waterfront amenity while mitigating the effects of climate change. “The contest is a springboard for forward-looking infrastructure ideas and aims to identify cutting-edge ideas from civil engineers, including students, educators, practitioners, and project managers,” according to an ASCE news release.
Another concept, “Smart Walls: Telescopic Structural Walls for Flood Protection,” also addressed climate resiliency. Smart Walls are deployable walls that are hidden in the ground and extend telescopically when needed to stop floodwaters.
The winner in the Best Student Submission category: “Rapid Restoration of Deteriorated Pre-stressed Concrete Bridges Using Mechanically Fastened Fiber Reinforced Polymer,” addressed deteriorated pre-stressed concrete bridge superstructure. It proposed a method to extend the useful life of infrastructure at low cost.
The Emerald Tutu from Very Flat on Vimeo.
Related Stories
| Mar 27, 2013
New BACnet standard offers significant improvements to alarm handling
Changes to the newly published BACnet standard from ASHRAE will encourage smart building automation controls systems including alarms.
| Mar 27, 2013
CEIR releases tool that measures energy, environmental benefits of roof systems
The Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing (CEIR) released its new RoofPoint Energy and Carbon Calculator that is designed to help roofing professionals measure the energy and environmental benefits of modern roof system technologies.
| Mar 27, 2013
Sustainable wood controversy leads to LEED ‘backlash bill’ in Florida House
A Florida House bill that says state agencies should decide on a project-by-project basis which green certification standards are used on state construction passed a subcommittee vote 12-1.
| Mar 19, 2013
Colorado Zero Energy District project shows how businesses can reach zero-energy standard
An ambitious experiment in Fort Collins, Colo., is supporting development of the nation’s first major urban zero-energy district.
| Mar 19, 2013
New LEED for Neighborhood Development and Historic Preservation guide released
A new guidance manual, LEED for Neighborhood Development and Historic Preservation, outlines strategies geared towards helping building teams incorporate historic resources into their developments.
| Mar 19, 2013
Senate bill would reform EPA’s lead renovation, repair, and painting rules
A bill to reform the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (LRRP) was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate.
| Mar 19, 2013
Boston mayor’s energy efficiency disclosure rule under fire
A proposed ordinance in Boston mandating energy audits is coming under criticism from the Greater Boston Real Estate Board and others as being too costly and intrusive.
| Mar 18, 2013
USGBC to GAO: 'Schools need over $271 billion in maintenance fixes'
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released its first “State of our Schools” report, highlighting the critical need to modernize school facilities to meet current health, safety and educational standards.
| Mar 14, 2013
Survey: Market demand now key driver for green construction
Construction firms across the world expect 60% of their projects to be environmentally friendly by 2015, according to the SmartMarket Report of McGraw-Hill Construction.
| Mar 14, 2013
Possible tax code changes prompt action from various industries, including construction
With Congress potentially tackling tax reform, businesses, trade groups and others are jockeying to get their voices heard.