With increasing regulations and standards becoming an ever-present consideration during construction, sustainable design and implementation have become a forefront priority during development. Civil engineering plays a significant role in helping to ensure the overall sustainability of your project, with every detail being subject to rigorous testing, modelling and other levels of assessment to ensure your final build will be up to today’s standards, as well as prepared to stand up to the test of time. As one of the most important ways to guarantee building efficiency, longevity and compliance with all evolving legislation, ensuring you partner with a skilled civil engineering team is essential for successful development.
With over 20 years of in-field experience, KM Civil Consultants, in partnership with the Krahn Group of Companies is pleased to provide full-scale civil engineering spanning multiple sectors across Western Canada including commercial, residential, industrial, municipal and more.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at the importance of sustainable civil engineering and construction, read on to learn more!
What is Sustainable in Civil Engineering?
As a whole, sustainability refers to the objective and subsequent practices of reducing the harm caused to the environment by construction and other development-related facets. Sustainability-minded civil engineering and construction takes into account a wide variety of factors from building materials to the use of machinery, demolitions, and the overall longevity of the building, which subsequently reduces the harm caused to the environment by removing the need for constant repair and/or removal.
Beyond simply complying with building regulations, sustainability helps to reduce issues caused by the generation of waste materials, noise and chemical pollution produces both during construction as well as through the overall operation of the building, and alleviate the damage caused by the release of pollutants. KM Civil Consultants understands the necessity for such measures and works alongside our clients to promote sustainability during construction as well as throughout your finished product by focusing on the following elements (to name a few):
Protecting the Environment and Biodiversity
Whether you’re developing in an urban or rural setting, there is no denying that construction, unfortunately, does disturb the natural landscape of the site, and can affect the wellbeing of local flora and fauna without the proper safeguards in place. A skilled civil engineering team, in partnership with landscape architects (such as our partners, KD Planning & Design Ltd. ) should be able to account for the damage caused by construction, as well as continued building operations and ensure you minimize disruptions appropriately.
Use and Allocation of Resources
Poor project management and inter-collaboration between design/build teams can lead to excessive use of key resources like land, water, and construction materials. A core part of sustainable practices both during and after construction is accounting for the use of any and all resources and ensuring everything has a dedicated purpose. Rather than using poor quality materials that need constant replacement, sustainable design will focus on equipping your building with the right fit that is meant to last for years to come.
Reduction of Pollution
Pollution is one of the number one factors that leads to environmental degradation. Sustainability in action where civil engineering is concerned means focusing on the elimination of construction waste where possible, reducing where it is not, recycling and reusing energy where possible, and disposing of materials in a safe manner.
Developing Building Envelope
Sustainable construction goes beyond what happens when shovels hit the ground. For superior performance in the long-term, civil engineers must work with structural engineers, architects, and other consulting parties to design a building envelope (what keeps outside elements out) that is not only up to code, but optimized to perform as strong as possible for years to come.
Build a Sustainable Future with KM Civil Consultants
With offices in Abbotsford, Vancouver, and Edmonton, KM Civil Consultants are here to support you with your civil engineering needs, including sustainable design. We work collaboratively with all involved parties, including our partners at the Krahn Group of Companies to make sure the development process is as efficient as possible saving you time, money, and setting your final product up for success. Learn more about the benefits of working with KM Civil Consultants as well as the Krahn Group by contacting our team today!
Looking to join a team built to excel? The Krahn Group of Companies is hiring across all locations and disciplines. Learn more here!
