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INSTRUCTORS: 

Andrew J. Rella, Ph.D

Purpose and Background

These presentations were recorded at the ASCE 2024 Convention.

This session focuses on innovative approaches to planning and retrofitting coastal and marine port infrastructure, using ecologically-sensitive design and construction technologies. Through project case studies, we’ll explore different applications of science-driven, nature-inclusive design elements, highlighting the multiple benefits of ecosystem services in future urban and industrial planning.

Ports are at the forefront of environmental challenges associated with climate change and coastal development, uniquely positioned to implement innovative approaches to build resilient infrastructure. In recent years, ports globally have been actively working to demonstrate ecological alternatives to traditional coastal infrastructure; these include the Port of San Diego, California, USA and the Port of Vigo and Port of Malaga, Spain. These projects provide examples of nature-inclusive solutions designed to address not only the structural requirements for coastal protection and port infrastructure, but also the need to promote native marine habitats, increase biodiversity, and restore local marine ecosystems. Showcasing these projects catalyze the fundamental change in best practices for the design and construction of ports by shifting from ‘grey’ infrastructure towards nature-inclusive ‘blue’ infrastructure which offer structural, environmental, and socioeconomic benefits.

This presentation will highlight both ecological and structural performance from these recent port projects and discuss how innovative construction technologies, novel research collaboration, and interactive stakeholder engagement can shape the role of ports to actively address the need to protect marine biodiversity; serving to advance the understanding of the opportunities and benefits of nature inclusive port infrastructure and provide guidance and blueprint for practitioners.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of these sessions, you will be able to:

• Explain the principles of ecologically sensitive design and construction technologies for coastal and marine port infrastructure.
• Describe the benefits of nature-inclusive 'blue' infrastructure for promoting native marine habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration.
• Discuss several case studies provided in this presentation from global ports that demonstrate innovative approaches to resilient infrastructure and marine biodiversity protection.
• Identify the structural, environmental, and socioeconomic advantages of incorporating ecosystem services into the design and retrofitting of port infrastructure.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Achievement of the learning objectives will be assessed through a short post-test.

Who Should Attend?

• Transportation engineers
• Environmental engineers
• Construction engineers
• Coastal engineers
• Water Resource engineers
• Consulting engineers
• Port engineers

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

This course is worth 0.1 CEU/1 PDH. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short post-test online and receive a passing score of 70% or higher.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]