Imagine an orchestra without a conductor. Musicians may play their individual parts well, but without cohesion. The result? Chaos. Managing capital improvement projects can be just as complex—without the right leadership, even small projects can easily go off track. That’s where an owner’s representative comes in. Acting as the project’s conductor, they represent the owner’s interests, allowing clients to focus on their day-to-day responsibilities and engage more meaningfully as a stakeholder in the project.
It’s clear why large projects benefit from an owner’s rep. Multiple contractors, complex requirements, and tight timelines make coordination especially crucial. But for smaller projects, it may not always seem as necessary. With rising costs, many owners think skipping an owner’s rep is a smart way to save. After all, many organizations have capable project managers on staff. The question is: Can the organization’s internal staff juggle project facilitation and oversight alongside their primary duties without compromising quality and the ability to manage risks for both?
The reality is that there are no truly “small” projects. Even modest ones involve the steps of choosing the right consultants, managing budgets and schedules, and navigating the design and construction phases. Smaller projects often have similar complexities as larger ones, such as coordinating with multiple stakeholders or managing challenging logistics. In fact, larger projects can sometimes be more straightforward thanks to broader teams and experienced partners!
In this article, we dive into the role of an owner’s representative on capital improvement projects, with an eye on four key ways it adds value, even to “small” projects.
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1. Aligning Clear, Attainable Goals with the Client’s Vision
Hiring an owner’s rep on capital improvement projects ensures that the finer details are managed while the owner’s vision remains front and center. They help define priorities and ensure that the project stays true to those goals. For instance, if an owner wants to prioritize local contractors or work with historically underrepresented firms, an owner’s rep can guide those outcomes.
With a focus on budget and schedule management, the owner’s rep allows the client to stay focused on their mission while maintaining transparency. This accountability is invaluable for both private organizations and taxpayer-funded entities, as it demonstrates fiscal responsibility. Plus, a well-planned master budget provides confidence as owners better understand their financial exposure for the total project costs, not just direct construction, and make informed decisions when changes arise.
Engaging an owner’s rep early can also offer guidance on project delivery methods, like when to choose design-build over CM/GC or design-bid-build. Their expertise helps streamline the process, ensuring the right partners are involved at the right time.
2. Expanding Resources and Building Relationships for Future Projects
If you foresee more capital projects on the horizon, working with an owner’s rep on a smaller project is an excellent way to “test drive” the relationship. It allows owners an opportunity to assess their approach, communication style, and fit, setting the stage for future collaboration. This effort can lead to establishing a trusted, lasting partnership that grows with an organization’s capital program.
Owner’s reps also offer a seamless way to bring specialized resources into a project. For public agencies, which often face long hiring timelines and competitive searches for qualified candidates, an owner’s rep contract provides instant access to essential expertise and staff augmentation. Rather than managing multiple RFPs or contracts for inspections, commissioning, or early due diligence, an owner’s rep can efficiently subcontract these services, saving time and streamlining the process. In smaller projects, where time is money, this efficiency is particularly beneficial and supports timely outcomes.
3. Enhancing Communication and Coordination with Stakeholders
Bringing the right team together at the right time can make or break a project. A skilled owner’s rep fosters open communication, innovation, problem solving, conflict resolution, and keeps everyone aligned.
For example, on the Vancouver Clinic expansion projects, Otak as owner’s rep led a collaborative project team environment, resulting in a project delivered three weeks early and $3 million under budget—even during the challenges of the pandemic.
Make no mistake, challenges occur on every project. Having the right combination of leadership, collaboration and engagement determines whether these challenges add to or detract from project outcomes.
4. Finding Efficiencies in Project Processes
With their experience managing multiple projects, owner’s reps often spot efficiencies that save time and money. This can be especially important when managing public funds such as school bonds.
An owner’s rep can anticipate supply chain issues or regional labor shortages and adjust the project plan accordingly. For instance, during the Medford School District’s Oakdale Middle School project, utilization of an owner’s rep expedited the procurement of long-lead items like window systems to avoid delays.
Oakdale Middle School (Photo Credit: Josh Partee)
A Partner That Fits the Project
With capital improvement projects covering a wide range of objectives, Otak’s owner representation services are scalable to fit each project’s unique needs. The group has helped clients with everything from drafting RFPs for an HOA’s paving contractor to offering design phase management on a county health services project until the agency felt comfortable taking over to manage in-house. Using a tailored approach means clients get the expertise they need when they need it, whether that’s for a single phase or the entire project.
Capital improvement projects—large or small—can be complicated but incredibly rewarding. By partnering with an owner’s representative, a project gains an advocate who understands it’s overarching vision and manages the details necessary to reach it. An owner’s representative orchestrates complexities at any scale so project owners can stay focused on the primary mission, giving confidence in completing projects with lasting impact.
In today’s dynamic work environment, building strong connections, fostering professional growth, and creating quality engagement is more important than ever. Within our PM/CM group, a unique approach has been built on the time-tested principle of mentoring to close the gap on today’s challenges to professional development.
Through the Development Advisor Program, mentoring has been reinforced as one of the most impactful ways to cultivate organizationalvalues around community building, while strengthening team culture and their work with clients. Since launching the program in 2019, it has become a cornerstone of the group’s strategy for professional development, employee retention, and creating a supportive workplace culture.
“I am grateful for the impact of our mentoring program… it’s been invaluable having our Development Advisors as an augmentation of our leadership team to stay connected to what truly matters to our staff beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of their projects. This program has helped us bridge the gaps of a hybrid and remote environment to engage meaningfully with one another’s challenges and career aspirations. It has truly created a shared space for growth and learning together.”
Sarah Oaks, Director of Otak CPM
Why the Mentoring Program Was Developed
Back in 2019, the PM/CM team sought to improve the consistency in how professional development and mentoring were approached in a quickly evolving work environment.
It’s common for staff to work with one supervisor for three to four years on a project then transition to a new supervisor when deployed to a new project and client. With different supervisors there naturally would be variances in approach to mentorship and on the job training. The result could at times be a range of experiences depending on a person’s placement on project teams. To address this, the team’s new approach entailed designing a structured mentoring program that would provide every team member with the opportunity for consistent personal connection, professional advocacy, and growth.
The initiative would become a vital tool in unforeseen and unprecedented circumstances. As the program took shape, it would keep the team connected through one of the most challenging periods for businesses globally—the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.
During a time of uncertainty and remote work, the mentoring program became a lifeline for employees, providing them with consistent support, encouragement, and a sense of community. Since then, the program has grown to include more than thirty mentees and eleven development advisors and continues to grow.
How the Program Works
At the heart of the Development Advisor Program is the 360° performance evaluation process. Through this, mentees receive valuable feedback from a variety of sources, including their direct supervisors, clients, industry partners, and their colleagues. This feedback serves as a critical tool for professional development, allowing mentees to gain deeper insights into their strengths and areas for growth. More importantly, it provides transparency on where they can improve, helping them create a clear roadmap for their personal and professional development.
The Development Advisor Program isn’t only about performance evaluation—it’s fundamentally about connection. Mentees and mentors meet on a monthly basis to connect on a personal level.
In addition to personal connection, this provides meaningful time to discuss any challenges, celebrate areas of growth, review goals, and take time for the mentor/mentee to connect on other meaningful topics they have top of mind. These regular check-ins offer mentees an advocate for their growth and development, someone who not only helps set and achieve career goals but also acts as a trusted sounding board. This mentorship fosters a deeper sense of belonging within the team, contributing to more engagement and satisfaction at work.
The Impact of Mentorship
The results of the mentoring program have been notable both internally and externally. Mentees and mentors consistently report feeling more connected to their colleagues and the organization. They value the advocacy, guidance, and feedback they receive, which in turn has had a positive effect on their professional development and overall workplace engagement. Mentors will share how the role has been an enriching experience for them as well, making this program truly a win-win experience.
The Development Advisor Program has uniquely played a crucial role in employee retention. In a time when workforce turnover has been high across all industries, having a structured system of support and development has proven to be a key factor in keeping talented professionals engaged and committed to the organization. By providing a safe space for team members to connect, it supports awareness and communication from the field to mentors. The result is greater cohesion and a sense of belonging amongst the group as a whole.
Mentorship of staff has intrinsic value for clients as well. When staff engagement is high, this translates to better outcomes for projects. Team members have vision for where their talent contributes the most value and they find ways to express that value in the context of their roles and work. As collaborative engagement increases so does problem-solving, innovation and risk management – staff are incentivized to express their leadership, ask questions and contribute to team outcomes.
This program has become a core part of the project management culture, driving a sense of purpose and connection that permeates through the team. By focusing on both personal and professional development, a workplace environment has been created where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.
Looking Ahead
The Development Advisor Program is now in its fifth year. Looking to build on its success in the future, the program aims to expand its reach and influence growing organically as the team grows. In addition to day-to-day mentoring activities, the mentor team also serves as a valued think tank for business unit leadership around supporting team and people-forward strategies. In a time where the needs of the workforce are constantly changing, having a cohort of mentors to be thought partners for leadership has been invaluable in shaping strategy and investment for approaching the growth of our most important resource, people.
Pedestrian bridges, also known as footbridges, are vital elements of our communities’ transportation infrastructure. While some are often crossed without much notice, others catch the attention of anyone nearby. In any case, a combination of art and science goes into the design of each structure.
Providing safe passage for pedestrians and cyclists across busy roads, rivers, railways, and other crossings, pedestrian bridges connect communities and enhance overall quality of life through active transportation. But these structures can also serve a greater purpose beyond their practical use, often providing memorable viewpoints, meeting spots, and spaces to enjoy the surrounding environment while making a design statement for communities.
Designed to last for at least 75 years, pedestrian bridges are ingrained in the fabric of the surrounding area and must be resilient to changing environmental conditions to provide long-lasting, accessible, and safe crossing. In this blog, we’ll discuss the steps of the pedestrian bridge design process and key elements around functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics that can make them fixtures of a community for generations.
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What is Pedestrian Bridge Design?
Pedestrian bridge design creates structures that primarily provide safe crossings for foot traffic, cyclists, and other modes of active transportation, facilitating movement between communities and enhancing its surrounding environment.
As trails grow in popularity (including in urban areas), the role of pedestrian bridges in creating accessible, interconnected networks becomes increasingly crucial. Effective pedestrian bridge design can also enhance the usability and safety of trail systems, allowing for uninterrupted and safe passage across both natural and man-made crossings.
The Pedestrian Bridge Design Process
The design of a pedestrian bridge is a meticulous process that begins with a clear understanding of its intended usage and the specific site conditions. This process involves defining the primary purpose of the bridge, gathering detailed site information, creating preliminary designs, and finally, refining those designs into a comprehensive plan for construction.
Define Usage
The first step in pedestrian bridge design is to define its intended use. This includes understanding whether the bridge will primarily serve pedestrians, cyclists, or in many cases even small vehicles. This determines important factors related to load and bridge width. For example, bridges on pedestrian trails are typically four to six feet wide, while those on interurban trails may need to be 10 to 12 feet or sometimes even wider.
Pedestrian bridges often need to support not only foot traffic but also small vehicles such as maintenance trucks, emergency vehicles, or even snowcats. AASHTO guidelines specify that pedestrian bridges must be designed to handle a pedestrian load of 85 pounds per square foot (PSF), with additional considerations for vehicles, where loads can range from 10,000 pounds for maintenance vehicles to 54,000 pounds for emergency vehicles. In remote areas, the design might also need to accommodate equestrian use.
The rise of e-bikes is another growing consideration; while they enhance accessibility, they also introduce new safety challenges due to their speed and weight. Designers have to stay informed about varying state regulations on e-bike usage to ensure safety and accessibility for all users.
Gather Site Information
Once the intended use is defined, the next step is to gather detailed information about the site. This includes conducting surveys, geotechnical analyses, and environmental assessments. The type of crossing — whether over a stream, roadway, or railway — dictates essential design considerations like clearances. For instance, street and highway crossings require a minimum clearance of 16.5 feet, railroads 25 feet, and waterways at least two feet above a 100-year flood event.
Environmental factors such as snow, wind, temperature fluctuations, and seismic activity must also be considered to ensure the bridge’s resilience. This information helps determine the appropriate location and type of abutments, as well as the length, width, and height of the bridge.
Environmental assessments are critical in identifying necessary permits and ensuring that the design minimizes impact on local ecosystems. For waterway crossings, hydrologic and hydraulic analyses provide insights into potential water levels during extreme weather events, guiding decisions about pier placement and scour protection. Other environmental considerations include preventing pollution through stormwater management and minimizing disruption to local vegetation and wildlife.
Preliminary Design and Alternative Selection
Based on the gathered data, preliminary designs are developed by structural engineers, accounting for all client and site-specific requirements. These designs include cost estimates and various alternatives, each with its own set of benefits and challenges. Preliminary sketches and renderings help visualize different options, allowing stakeholders to assess feasibility, constructability, and cost-effectiveness before making a final selection.
Final Design
The final design phase involves detailed structural analysis using specialized engineering software. This step ensures that the bridge can withstand all expected loads, including tension and compression forces. Special attention is given to fracture critical members (FCMs), which are vital components whose failure could lead to the collapse of the bridge. These elements, along with welds, are carefully identified in the structural plans.
With the design configuration set, materials are selected to meet the demands of the environment, such as thermal expansion and slip resistance. Safety and reliability are prioritized, leading to the completion of design and construction documents that detail every aspect of the bridge, from structural components to aesthetic elements.
Types of Pedestrian Bridges
While the majority of pedestrian bridges are either beam or truss structures, there are instances where other options are either required for practical reasons or chosen for design preference.
Beam and girder bridges provide many fabrication and construction options while also being typically more cost effective. Used for shorter spans, they are limited in girder depth and vertical clearance. While they are among the most common in pedestrian bridge design, these structures can be built with materials like steel, concrete, or timber, and can integrate bridge railings to create a unique identity.
With simple construction that installs quickly, truss bridges are another common pedestrian bridge type that offers a cost-effective design. While less unique, a railing that’s integral with the structure can be a fitting aesthetic for many applications. Materials for these structures are generally steel, timber, or fiberglass (FRP).
For medium spans that avoid the use of piers, arch bridges provide graceful aesthetics that can be built low below a trail profile. While more expensive, these structures can be advantageous for greater spans and limiting impact to the environment. They are commonly made of steel, concrete, or timber materials.
Offering a low profile for longer spans, cable stay bridges provide a unique look and feel compared to other pedestrian bridge options, typically showcasing a distinctive fan-like pattern created by their cable placement. Cables can be rigged in a mono, harp, fan, or star design, and similar to most other bridge types can be built with steel, timber, or concrete.
The science of long crossings and art of graceful aesthetics are combined in suspension bridge design. This structure type is especially useful for wide rivers and sites with inaccessible pier locations, often providing a statement for a community using steel, concrete, or timber materials.
Functionality Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design
Regardless of individual goals, functionality is a core objective in any pedestrian bridge design. In creating a durable, safe, and cost-effective structure that meets community needs for decades, the design should consider a variety of factors. A focus on surrounding pedestrian and bicycle facilities, providing logical routes that encourage use and minimize the need for detours, and consideration of alternative crossing opportunities are all essential to maximizing accessibility and safety.
Wayfinding
A pedestrian bridge is only as valuable as the use it gets. The ability to find one’s way to and from the bridge as part of a broader transportation network is critical to that end.
For effective wayfinding, pedestrian bridge design should integrate with existing transportation infrastructure, ensuring that the bridge is easily accessible and does not require users to travel out of their way to cross. Creating logical connections to surrounding facilities increase the bridge’s utility and enhance the user experience. Additionally, designing a system of cohesive icons and signage not only helps guide users through space visually, but can support tourism, and establish the bridge as a gathering space and community landmark.
Approach Ramps and Accessibility
A sometimes-overlooked aspect of pedestrian bridge design are the approach ramps. Approach ramps ensure that the bridge is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. The design of approach ramps must adhere to ADA Guidelines, which often require long ramps to accommodate the necessary vertical clearances. Ramps also provide an opportunity to add some creativity in the design that fits within the site footprint. Although these ramps can represent a significant cost, they are essential for ensuring that the bridge is fully functional and accessible.
Abutments and Piers
Serving as the foundation of the structure, abutments and piers can take shape in a pedestrian bridge design in many ways. Depending on the site conditions, abutment design can range from simple footings to more complex anchoring systems.
Geotechnical analysis plays a key role in determining whether deep foundations are necessary, particularly in areas prone to scour. The type and number of piers used also impacts the cost of the bridge relative to its span length.
Sustainability and Resilience Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design
With a more volatile environment, sustainability and resilience are increasingly critical to pedestrian bridge design. Designers must consider environmental impacts, resilience to climate change, and seismic resilience where necessary. For waterway crossings, hydraulic and hydrologic modeling are essential to ensuring that the bridge can withstand extreme weather events and avoid damaging the surrounding ecosystem. There are a few aspects of bridge design where resilience is particularly relevant.
Stormwater and Drainage
Proper stormwater and drainage design is vital to prevent pollution and maintain the structural integrity of the bridge. Deck drains should be placed at regular intervals to keep the bridge watertight, and curbs should be installed on bridges crossing roads or highways to prevent water runoff. These measures help protect both the bridge and the environment.
Sustainable Materials and Energy Efficiency
The use of sustainable building materials and energy-efficient technologies is an important consideration in modern pedestrian bridge design. Recycled materials and energy-efficient lighting, such as LEDs, can reduce the environmental footprint of the bridge. Landscaping can also promote sustainability by supporting local ecosystems and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the bridge.
When a pedestrian bridge crosses a waterway, special attention must be given to minimizing its impact on the stream and surrounding wetlands. Regulatory requirements often dictate freeboard levels and the number of piers allowed in the water. Designers must also consider fish passage and scour protection to preserve the natural flow and health of the waterway.
Aesthetic Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design
While functionality and resilience are paramount, sometimes there is great value – particularly as part of a system of brides – in designing a pedestrian bridge that makes a statement. As integral components of the community, aesthetics can play a pivotal role in an area’s growth. A well-designed pedestrian bridge can become a landmark or gateway, enhancing the community’s identity and appeal. While purely functional bridges are often more cost-effective, investing in aesthetically pleasing features can add long-term value to the community.
The opportunity to consider aesthetics isn’t exclusive to grand design choices. There are a wide range of ways where even small features can have a large, lasting impact.
Bridge System Type
The type of bridge system chosen can greatly influence its aesthetic appeal. Beam and truss bridges are generally more functional, while arch, cable-stay, and suspension bridges offer greater creative freedom, allowing designers to create iconic structures that stand out.
Bridge railings are another element where functionality meets aesthetics. While they primarily serve to protect pedestrians and cyclists, railings can also be designed to enhance the visual appeal of the bridge. In urban or high-risk areas, railings are often higher and more enclosed for safety, whereas in rural areas, simpler designs may suffice. Historical railing systems can be preserved or replicated to maintain the cultural heritage of the area.
Bridge Lighting
Bridge lighting serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. It provides safety for users at night and deters vandalism, while also highlighting the bridge as a visual landmark. LED lighting has revolutionized bridge design, offering energy efficiency, reduced maintenance, and a wide range of color options. The right lighting can transform a pedestrian bridge into a striking feature of the nighttime landscape.
Taking a Multidisciplinary Approach to Pedestrian Bridge Design
Just as one community differs from the next, so do the pedestrian bridges that enhance their connectivity. With a considered process and collaborative approach combing the art and science of each project, the variety of design solutions available offer several paths to both meeting functional goals and making a statement for the community.
As a fixture of infrastructure designed to last decades, pedestrian bridges are created with an eye on the future and resilience in mind. Throughout the design process, input from a multidisciplinary team of engineers, planners, and architects is essential to creating landmark bridge design that maximizes the benefits of these public assets for generations to come.
With many disciplines working together on a variety of projects, perhaps the best way to get a feel for a firm’s impact is simply, a coffee with… the people doing the work.
This video series features experts sharing insights gained during their time in the AEC industry, with an emphasis on the importance of collaboration to meeting a common goal of creating better communities.
In this edition of ‘a coffee with…’, we learn from a landscape architect and a senior designer within architecture about the importance of designing and placemaking for people’s lives. Find out in the video and its transcript below:
Improving People’s Lives through Impactful Design
I think we’re changing lives, making them better.
One of the things that I love to see is when I go to one of these places that I’ve designed and there’s a family out there or kids swinging on the swing set. You’re seeing this idea you had in your brain come to fruition and being enjoyed by the community… it’s one of the best things.
My name is Chris Maykut. I’m a senior designer here at Otak working on the architecture team and I’ve been here for five years.
I’m Gabriel Kruse, I’m a landscape architect. I’ve been with Otak for almost nine years.
What is the Importance of Collaboration between Disciplines on Projects?
I really do believe this that there’s, you know, there’s no “I” in team… that collaboration is very key to a successful project.
He’s in landscape, I’m in architecture, I’ve got the built form, he’s got the natural form, but we also kind of come together and there’s this blended area.
So, I think we both have a job of imagining, creating, and developing places for people to inhabit. And I think that’s, you know, really important, and I think collaboration makes that a much stronger end result.
We meet, like, what’s it at 5 feet outside, 5 feet outside the building? Yeah.
But you know I think on the bigger projects we have multiple buildings… we create the space in between the buildings together.
I think for me as a landscape architect and working with Chris and architecture, we’re trying to make really great places for people to live. Going home to a great piece of architecture, going through that landscape experience, also just having all those all those pieces working together in harmony is a real goal of ours.
How Does a Multidisciplinary Environment Create Unique Opportunities to Work Together?
I think of Otak as a family, it’s kind of corny. But I have one project that the landscape consultant is outside of Otak, and another project where the landscape is Gabe or someone else on this team… I can coordinate and communicate with in in both situations quite well. But I feel just the family atmosphere of Otak, I feel like I can be more open and more responsive in communicating back and forth.
We both use a 3D modeling software and we’re both pretty good at using that software. So, we can exchange models together and say what do you think of this?
You know, he’s got this big building model and a lot of things going on in there.
And then I’ll take a piece of it and say, ‘hey, give me that model,’ and I’ll take it and then I’ll put my landscape design in there and I’ll send it back to him… drop that in there see what you think and then Chris [and I] we’ll just kind of work together back and forth that way massage it back and forth, massage it back and forth.
Not everyone designs that way, but I think Chris and I both have that. We’ll use that 3D modelling as a tool, as a design tool, not just a presentation tool. I think that, yeah, that is one way I think we really work together well.
What is Most Exciting about Working in the Design Industry?
Making someone feel like they have a home and it’s just not a place that they’re sleeping at. They’re having birthday parties. They’re, you know, sharing fun times with friends and family.
And, you know… we’re helping them create memories for their lives here at Otak.
We do a lot of multifamily and specifically affordable right now. I really enjoy that as opposed to doing, you know, high end condos in downtown Portland. There’s more meaning to it and… that gets me excited to come into work everyday.
Designing a park, then going to see it afterwards and seeing people use it; enjoy it; and then talking to the neighborhood and [seeing] just how much people appreciate open space… It’s a really important part of neighborhood design and community design.
There are a lot of when that’s where, you know, all the kids spend a lot of their time and that’s what I really look forward to.
In the realm of environmental restoration, the concept of adaptive management has emerged as a crucial tool for ensuring the long-term success of projects. This approach, rooted in data analysis from monitoring a project site over time, allows for continuous improvement and informed decision-making to ultimately enhance the resilience of restored natural systems.
In this piece, we delve deeper into how an adaptive management plan furthers the understanding and benefits of multi-objective projects. We’ll also take a closer look at a stream in Boulder County, where the approach is helping to balance fish habitat benefits with water rights management and providing valuable insights to advance the practice for future projects across the industry.
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What is Adaptive Management?
Adaptive management is a systematic process that involves applying knowledge gained from ongoing monitoring. That knowledge is used to improve project specific decision-making with informed management actions that maintain project goals under uncertain conditions. The approach relies on data gained from monitoring over time to help inform ongoing project operations as well as advance scientific understanding through “learning by doing.”
The Adaptive Management Process
The process for an adaptive management plan acknowledges the dynamic nature of river systems, enabling project adjustments to meet goals and ensure long-term success. By establishing a framework for iterative decision-making, this approach adds control to situations with high uncertainty.
With an emphasis on fostering collaboration among stakeholders, an adaptive management process aligns clearly-defined project elements with desired outcomes. Collectively, these elements allow for the flexibility of agile actions and fixes (if needed) to ensure the project continues to meet the design goals. Successfully designing a plan features some key steps.
Establishing Project Goals
During the design phase, defining project goals with a diverse set of stakeholders at the table is paramount. These goals typically encompass multiple priorities and are meant to set clear direction for the expected outcome of the project.
Stating Monitoring Objectives
With project goals in mind, a project team can then establish monitoring objectives aimed at accurately measuring how those goals are being met. These objectives serve as the basis for evaluating project performance over time and informing adaptive management actions.
Linking Monitoring Parameters
Once monitoring objectives are set, the question becomes, what specifically is going to be monitored? Monitoring parameters are measurable (either qualitative or quantitative) aspects of the project that can be aligned to monitoring objectives they aim to address. By defining these parameters, stakeholders can track progress, identify deviations from expected outcomes, and define triggers for adaptive management interventions.
Photo Credit: Boulder County Parks and Open Space
Establishing Methodology
There are often several different ways to monitor a parameter. Establishing specific methods for a project outlines the techniques and tools used to address each monitoring parameter.
The selection of a method may be influenced by available budget, equipment available, as well as the importance of each individual parameter. By adhering to specific criteria, the methodology ensures the reliability, consistency, and repeatability of data collection, which could allow for not only project-specific year-to-year comparisons, but apples-to-apples comparisons between other adaptive management projects in the region.
Setting Thresholds
Thresholds are predetermined values for each parameter that, when surpassed, trigger adaptive management actions that aim to course-correct a project back to desired conditions. Setting thresholds can often be difficult, but with close coordination with stakeholders, project teams can determine values that at a minimum, maintain an ongoing conversation about potential project improvements.
Taking Adaptive Management Action
When triggered, adaptive management actions aim to address identified issues and improve project outcomes. Stakeholders collaborate to assess results, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and apply lessons learned to future decision-making processes. Adaptive management actions may vary in severity, ranging from minor adjustments to significant project revisions. By preparing for potential outcomes, stakeholders minimize uncertainty and maintain project resilience.
If all steps are taken properly, adaptive management actions should allow for agile improvements that return expected results. Altogether, this process ensures projects achieve and maintain goals while taking a proactive approach that avoids costly and time-consuming reactive adjustments.
Fish Passage, Water Rights, and Adaptive Management Along St. Vrain Creek for Boulder County Parks & Open Space
In 2013, Boulder County experienced historic and catastrophic flooding that damaged property and infrastructure and reshaped the land and riverscape of the St. Vrain Creek corridor. Rebuilding from the flood presented an opportunity to repair infrastructure and restore the stream and ditch connections in ways that improved resilience to future floods and reconnected habitat for native transition zone fishes.
This case study along St. Vrain Creek illustrates the application of adaptive management for two stream restoration and fish passage projects located three miles apart.
For both projects, Boulder County Parks and Open Space replaced flood-damaged channel-spanning diversion dams with fish-passable structures that maintained the delivery of decreed water rights at the proper time, with the overall goals of enhancing stream connectivity and resilience in the St. Vrain corridor.
Credit: Boulder County Parks and Open Space
Goals and Objectives
The adaptive management plan focuses on confirming project functionality based on project goals. These goals span water delivery, protecting infrastructure, improving fish passage and habitat, and the restoration of stream and floodplain connectivity.
Parameters
Monitoring parameters were identified based on plan objectives and included some general categories. Those include vertical and lateral channel stability, infrastructure functionality, fish presence and habitat, and vegetation. These and other parameters were chosen to serve as indicators of project performance and guide adaptive management interventions.
Methods
The methodologies selected to assess monitoring parameters included field observations and photographs, drone technology, stream measurements, and telemetry studies. Where available, use of existing standardized protocols ensure data accuracy and facilitate interdisciplinary assessments.
Adaptive Management Actions
As discussed, management actions are triggered when/if certain thresholds (identified within the plan) are met. These actions are coordinated with the stakeholder group for consideration of the benefit/impact that could come from implementing the management action. Adjustments over time that do not compromise project goals may not warrant intervention.
Possible management actions range in levels of urgency from simply verifying a parameter in question, to increased frequency of monitoring, to small-scale or large-scale modifications of project components. For St. Vrain Creek, these parameters cover a wide-range of project elements, including some highly-visible examples.
Large Wood Parameter
Large wood is an essential feature to enhance fish habitat and stabilize banks. As an established goal for Boulder County Parks and Open Space, large wood was included as part of the stream restoration design under the objective of enhancing fish habitat for regional species.
Goals
Objectives
Parameters
Methodology
Thresholds
Actions
Enhance native fish habitat in the channel
Improved fish passage and habitat
Large wood functionality
Field observation / Photo points
Reduction of in-channel large wood by 25%
Augmentation of large wood within the reach
Flanking or instability of installed large wood structures
Re-key structures into bed and bank
As part of St. Vrain’s adaptive management plan, the functionality of the large wood is monitored through established photo points and field observations. This methodology allows the team to measure the way large wood moves through the site and potentially impacts fish habitat over time. If certain thresholds on the reduction of in-channel large wood or instability of installed structures are observed, action is taken to augment or re-key those structures into the bed and bank.
Vertical Channel Stability Parameter
With the goals of maintaining water delivery and reliability and improving aquatic ecology, parameters were established in the adaptive management plan to ensure the vertical stability of the channel. The presence of an active head cut (caused by erosion) can quickly alter the channel slope and result in a channel steeper than the threshold for native fish and impact the ability to divert the appropriate amount of water.
Channel slopes exceed 4.5%, without multiple, variable margin flow paths or roughness elements present
Creation of multiple low flow paths / Regrading of the channel (localized grading by hand or with machinery)
Maintain water delivery and reliability / Improve aquatic ecology / Increase stream stability
Water delivery / Fish passage and habitat / Channel stability
Vertical stability
Longitudinal profile survey / Photo points
No longer a low flow path for fish passage
Regrading of the channel (localized grading by hand or with machinery)
Maintain water delivery and reliability / Improve aquatic ecology / Increase stream stability
Water delivery / Fish passage and habitat / Channel stability
Boulder vane stability
Field observations / Photo points
Evidence of boulders within vane moving or scouring
No longer a flow flow path for fish passage
Repair and stabilization of individual boulders
Placement of bed material to restore passability
Field observations, photo points, and longitudinal profile surveys were established to monitor for evidence of scour or head cut development, as well as any changes in slope throughout the project area. Additionally, field observations are recorded within the engineered boulder vanes to identify any boulders that may have shifted in a manner that inhibits low flow pathways for fish passage. Based on findings, localized regrading, stabilization of boulders, and/or the placement of bed material to restore low flow passability can be implemented.
Learning Lessons through Adaptive Management
Still early in the monitoring process (two years of data), insights from the adaptive management plan in collaboration with Boulder County Parks & Open Space will be used to highlight the success of diversion/fish passage designs, potential for improvements in design, and the importance of adaptive management. By monitoring these innovative approaches and applying lessons learned, Boulder County is helping pave the way for sustainable stream restoration practices region wide.
Adaptive management offers a robust framework for navigating the complexities of stream restoration projects. By embracing iterative decision-making, stakeholders can achieve a balance between environmental conservation and water rights management, ensuring the long-term resilience and connectivity of natural systems. The case of Boulder County serves as a testament to the transformative potential of adaptive management for not just one community, but for the greater industry while inspiring future innovations and best practices.
Otak is celebrating Engineers Week by sitting down for coffee with Sean Clark, senior project manager and passionate engineer! Check out the video and the transcription below:
“My name is Sean Clark, and I’m a structural engineer.”
What is your role on the structural team?
“I work a lot with architects. I also work a lot with the civil department, and water and natural resources – we do a whole lot of retaining walls on the side of roads, so I work with the transportation department as well.”
“The structure is basically anything in the built environment, and that encompasses different people at Otak, so it’s a wide variety.”
What excites you about the field of engineering?
“What excites me the most I think is the amount of technology and new types of construction. I get really excited when somebody’s like, ‘Ooh, we can use titanium rods to strengthen this girder.’ You know, something different.”
“Elegance in design is efficiency, you know? So, I take pride in being able to give an elegant design to somebody’s problem. One of the interesting ones that I’ve got recently is that we’re doing a rain shed in Hawaii. So, one – it’s Hawaii, and two – the seismic there is just crazy, it’s built on the side of a volcano. It’s really interesting to see how my part is just structures, but to get the water to all these people involves a lot of different disciplines.”
What do you enjoy most about being an engineer?
“I think what I love about engineering is that every day I create. It takes a lot of imagination, it takes a lot of work, it takes a lot of knowledge, but there’s just nothing better.”
Field Notes is a recurring series where impactful aspects of projects are brought into focus from the field, along with the people who make it possible.
There’s something special about transportation projects and the impact connectivity can have on a community. With greater connectivity comes greater access to healthier lifestyles, vital resources, and a wider range of opportunities. For public transit and infrastructure, this is especially true.
The Sound Transit East Link Extension project, which is designed to expand the light rail connection between Seattle, WA and its surrounding area, certainly fits this notion. As an analyst within our project controls group, our team has had the opportunity to bring efficiencies through tools and data to the development of this unique public asset.
I was honored to also have an opportunity to visit the project site itself, which I’d spent the last few years of my life working on from afar. What I found in this one-of-a-kind rail transport that features a floating bridge only reinforced my view of this feat of engineering, and my pride in being part of it bringing value to the community it aims to service.
Adreanna on-site at the Sound Transit East Link Extension.
The light rail has a combination of Direct-Fixation Tracks and Ballasted Tracks through the tunnels. Furthering the unique design of the 14-mile run connecting Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond.
Welcome to Judkins Park Station: Through the Eyes of An Engineer
Judkins Park Station (or JPS), located on 23rd Ave S, in the center of I-90, is one of the stations within the E130 scope and one of ten under construction within the 14-mile Eastlink Extension.
The access to this station allows the community to commute from Seattle to South Bellevue via light rail. JPS is right across the street from the Northwest Jimi Hendrix Park and is designed for people to walk, bike, or bus directly to the station!
Experiencing the East Link Light Rail
The Light Rail runs from the International District in Seattle, through Mount Baker Tunnel, to Mercer Island and concludes at Redmond. The Eastlink Extension creates yet another way for folks to commute without leaving behind a carbon imprint on our environment. The station itself is beautiful, and has a special flow of artwork and intentional landscaping throughout.
A Unique Design to Connect Communities
In the eye of an engineer, the project as a whole is a tangible form of beauty. The I-90 bridge is made up of several pontoons with a density less than water, allowing them to literally float! As astonishing as that may be, the bridge carries large volumes of traffic flow daily and will soon be carrying the additional weight of the light speed rail.
One of the most fascinating pieces of this experience is that the design of the light speed rail had to account for the water displacement caused by the weight of the materials and equipment required to build the tracks for the light speed rail. Additionally, the design had to account for the respective impacts on the bridge itself prior to construction.
One of the many things that make Judkins Park Station special is the artwork found throughout the station.
Field Notes is a recurring series where impactful aspects of projects are brought into focus from the field, along with the people who make it possible.
Land surveying is an ever-evolving profession, with data acquisition and measurement tools continuously becoming obsolete as they are replaced with faster, more accurate, safer, and more efficient tools. One such tool involves the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or what’s more generally known as a “drone”. When paired with a sensor (aka payload) the drone becomes an unmanned aerial system (UAS), capable of capturing unique perspectives from otherwise unreachable vantage points.
In the survey and mapping industry, drones have grown to be safer, less expensive, and easier to operate. Gone are the days of creating your own drones, control systems, payloads, and controllers to tailor an unmanned aerial system (UAS) to a project’s particular needs. The result of a drone survey today can provide aerial imagery, point cloud data, and ultimately data that allows for map creation and digital terrain modeling. Just as important, a drone survey also allows us to obtain a perspective of the overall context of a site in a way that is immediately understandable by non-surveyors.
In this piece, we’ll examine exactly what a drone survey is, what it’s capable of, and how it leads to more informed projects from design through construction.
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What is a Drone Survey?
Drone surveying is the art of mapping areas of land using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. Drones carrying cameras or sensors (known as “payloads”) are used to capture data that can be turned into images ranging from the visual spectrum to infrared or point clouds utilizing LiDAR (Light Detecting and Ranging).
Modern drones can be deployed quickly and safely, providing images and videos in different formats, perspectives, and angles. Drone images and videos can be used to create maps, orthomosaics (aka “aerial photos”), and help users better view and understand view corridors.
The Science of Turning Data into 2D and 3D Models
In processing what’s captured during a drone survey, flat, 2D photos are used to create 3D models and obtain a digital terrain model of a site. How? Through a technique called structure from motion (SfM).
Structure from motion is a photogrammetric technique for estimating three-dimensional structures from two-dimensional image sequences. It is based on the principle that if we know the position and orientation of a drone’s camera when images are taken, we can use corresponding features to compare overlapping images as the drone has moved to reconstruct a 3D structure of area.
The SfM process works by first finding matching features in different images of the same scene. These features can be anything from corners of buildings to leaves on trees. Once the matching features are found, the software can use them to estimate the position and orientation of the camera for each image. With the camera positions known, the software can then reconstruct the 3D structure of the scene.
Drone Survey and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
A drone survey also naturally lends itself to Geographic Information System (GIS) applications. For the practice of mapping and analyzing geographically referenced information, the perspective and data obtained from a drone can significantly streamline that process.
The ability to produce this accurate and information-rich view of a given area has widespread benefits for a variety of projects. For instance, UAV captured data can be used in GIS for anything from modeling post-fire debris flow potential or avalanche terrain risk studies to view shed studies for planning and architecture projects. It can also have major applications in environmental design including the analysis of river morphology and water turbidity, plant species and land cover classification, advanced wetland identification modeling, and many more.
[Interactive] Slider in ArcGIS Showing Water Level Change Over Time
Why Use a Drone Survey – An Essential Component of Upkeep, Planning, and the Design Through Construction Process
The world isn’t a static place, and neither are the uses for drone imagery. While the prevailing usage is to create a map or aerial photo of a site once, mapping how that site changes over time is another very valuable application. Whether it be monitoring how plantings are growing, or tracking how woody debris and boulders may move seasonally in a stream restoration project, recording change over time reveals how well the project stands up to the elements of nature and time.
As the field has evolved, many manufacturers are building UAS specifically for land surveying uses – “metric” cameras for high accuracy, high resolution photography and LiDAR to name a couple. Advances in battery life, carrying capacity, and overall capabilities have rapidly accelerated while costs have come down and piloting has become more intuitive.
Drone surveys can provide highly-accurate data with a level of detail that is not possible with traditional surveying methods over wider areas. This is because drones can fly closer to the ground and take more photographs, which can then be stitched together to create a detailed 3D model of the survey area. Whereas traditional surveying methods require intention to map every specific item with a survey field crew, with a drone, you get all the items in your photo and then decide what to include in your map.
Cost-Effectiveness
Drone surveys are typically less expensive than traditional surveying methods, as they require fewer personnel and less equipment. Additionally, drone surveys can be completed much more quickly than traditional surveys, which can further reduce costs.
Efficiency
Drone surveys may be completed much faster than traditional surveys. This is because drones can cover large areas of land in a short period of time. The approach also opens the door to a wider variety of project sites as drone surveys can be conducted in areas that are difficult or dangerous to access using traditional methods.
Safety
All work done with drones for commercial purposes must be flown or overseen by a Remote Pilot in Charge having their FAA Part 107 UAS Remote Pilot License. Drone surveys are much safer than traditional surveys, as they do not require surveyors to put themselves in dangerous situations. For example, drone surveys can be used to survey areas that are otherwise inaccessible. This could be due to steep terrain, failing infrastructure, dangerous lake or river crossings, or areas with hazardous materials among a host of other reasons.
Drawbacks to Drone Survey: Airspace, Weather, and Logistical Limitations
The drawbacks of surveying with drones generally come down to airspace restrictions. There are limitations on where and how high drones can fly in areas around secure locations such as airports. Weather also comes into play. Clouds must not be too close to the ground, and wet ground may be too reflective and shiny to create acceptable imagery for mapping.
While the costs associated with surveying – as well as drone technology – continue to reduce, the process still involves highly-skilled individuals using very advanced and expensive equipment. Each survey crew has a sophisticated setup, including their truck/mobile office – and for this reason, survey field crews are costly. They also often need to be scheduled weeks if not months in advance. Unfortunately, this doesn’t allow for rapid deployment to capture an ephemeral situation or event, such as a flood, moving slide, or traffic conditions. However, there are situations where a decent drone and a Part 107 pilot can be deployed to a site rapidly if needed, at a much lower cost than a traditional field crew.
Does this mean traditional ground mapping is no longer needed? Not at all. In addition to the limitations noted above, ground cover, tree canopy, and the ability of an experienced survey crew to discern the existence and location of objects that might be under a few leaves, or a thin layer of sand or mulch won’t be replaced anytime soon.
Orthomosaic Mapping and the Drone Capture Process
Orthomosaics are large, dimensionally correct photos made up of hundreds or even thousands of individual photos of a site. Utilizing software to create these images, they provide a surprisingly accurate view of planimetric features.
When using drones to create a mapping product, there are a number of steps to ensure that the resulting product meets the accuracy needs of project.
[Watch] Drone Survey Flight Footage at Manley Road
Mission Planning
To maximize the resulting imagery from a drone survey, there are numerous factors to consider during mission planning. Critical aspects often include determining the best time of day, anticipating low wind conditions, cloud cover, and less congestion from parked vehicles or pedestrians. Ensuring the controller and UAV are up to date on software, firmware, and airspace maps, and that the drone is physically in tip-top condition with charged batteries is vital prior to every flight. Determining the optimal height above ground for the UAV to fly, the overlap and number of images, the specific UAS to be used, and the direction and rate of travel of the drone while acquiring images all add to the considerations when planning a flight mission.
Establishing Ground Control Points (GCP’s)
Small marks are made throughout the site, visible in the drone images, that have specific coordinates and elevations associated with consistent locations on these marks. These may be “T”’s or “L”’s or “X”’s made with tape, or circles with the classic survey pattern of opposing quarters. Depending on the site size and elevation change, there may be 7 to 10 of these used to control the data, and 3 to 4 that are used to check it. The resulting map can only be as accurate as the least accurate control point, quality survey equipment and great care in this process is essential to establish these stations.
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Flight
If all the planning was done properly, the flight is mainly about safety, safety, and safety. Immediately prior to a mission, the pilot must plan ahead to mitigate distractions, disruptions, and disputes that may arise while the mission is underway.
While a UAS can be programmed to literally fly itself , the pilot is on hand to at least ensure safe flight operations from the moment they arrive on-site to the time they depart. While the UAS is in flight, the pilot needs to give their full attention to the safe operation of the drone. Pilots need to look out for other craft entering their airspace and track that the drone is acquiring the correct number and type of images that it is programmed to capture.
Post Processing
The images, sometimes as many as two thousand, are loaded into software. What’s known as a photogrammetry module (both the module and software package can run thousands of dollars) is designed specifically for the kind of mapping needed on a particular project. There are a variety of options when it comes to post processing software packages with some better designed for different types of drone survey applications.
Mapping Creation
The process can also be taken a step further by creating a photographic point cloud, which allows us to create a digital terrain model and obtain the heights of items above the ground such as buildings, wire elevations, and trees. Point cloud data may be used simply for map quality control or to supplement field surveying with 2D items such as paint striping or concrete patterns. But it can also be used to create mapping in inaccessible areas or areas that would be dangerous to map with traditional means. While most surveying won’t rely solely on drone data, it can be an essential tool in all these areas.
Structure from Motion is used to create a 3D model of everything within the images. This is then cleaned up and items that are irrelevant to the project are removed. The clean data can then be used to create linework and digital terrain model (DTM) features (i.e., objects found on the surface area) which are transferred into AutoCAD for final mapping and drafting.
Many times, land surveying work is performed to create a basemap of a location so engineers and architects can design improvements or new uses for that site. But what if the goal is to simply have a record of what is there rather than to immediately improve it? This is where mapping that may require a lower accuracy than “survey grade” may be what is needed.
In simply documenting a project visually from a unique perspective, drone-based photography and mapping really shines. When overseen, controlled, and quality checked by a land surveyor, the resulting mapping from a drone mission will be as accurate and reliable as possible. This data can be used to create GIS datasets that track locations of site improvements, utilities, and other features.
Ultimately drones give surveyors the ability to visualize unique project perspectives, capture otherwise unobtainable viewpoints, and document site conditions in a way that can’t easily be accessed.
A Multidisciplinary Approach Supported by a Complete Survey Team
While the Otak UAV program is hosted through our land surveying group, the use of drones extends much further. From marketing and comprehensive project management to water resources engineering and construction management and inspection, the full breadth of multidisciplinary expertise can benefit from data obtained through drone imagery and video. Drones are an increasingly valuable part of our industry, and their usage and value will continue to be discovered and utilized for years to come.
While an exciting tool that provides capabilities not before available to land surveyors, UAV-based mapping is still just one of several advanced tools Otak has to map features above, on, and below the surface of the earth. Whether a project requires UAVs, terrestrial scanning, bathymetric mapping, traditional mapping, or nearly any other mapping means, Otak’s land surveying and GIS personnel are equipped with the tools and expertise to get the project done right.
No history of the United States is complete without significant conversation around the history of Native American Tribes. In fact, this often-solemn past represents merely a fraction of indigenous peoples’ place on the North American continent.
As the original stewards of the land, Tribes today now play a role in the development of public projects, supporting efforts toward the successful preservation of cultural and natural resources.
In recognition of this historical context, certain circumstances – namely through the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 – designate when and how projects need to involve Tribal consultation. But for this commitment rooted in a government-to-government relationship, truly building and benefiting from these relationships must go beyond what’s simply required by law.
In this piece, we take a closer look at the tribal consultation process, and the steps to successfully fostering those relationships when it comes to project development.
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What is the Tribal Consultation Process?
Tribal consultation is a crucial step in the development of public projects, with an overall goal of avoiding mapped culturally sensitive sites, as well as preserving landmarks and natural resources. The process is formalized by Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act of 1966, including providing at least 30 days advance notice to tribes before the first consultation session, and sufficient detail of the project to be discussed so leaders can have an opportunity to fully engage with each step in the process.
At the heart of the consultation process is allowing Tribes the chance to engage in meaningful discussions between their own representatives and federal decision-makers. Stringent records of all proceedings must be maintained. Additionally, the federal response to tribes and their input, detailing how their insights were incorporated into the final decision of development, is an equally critical part of the discussion.
When is Tribal Consultation Needed?
While tribal consultation is legally required by section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 where federal funds are involved, it can also be triggered by state regulations, bond conditions, or simply as a best practice.
The NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) or SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) processes often initiate tribal consultation, and more recently there’s been a greater effort made to involve tribes where counties and municipalities strive to respect the public’s relationship with the land. Sometimes, projects evolve directly from a partnership with a local tribe and local government where the tribe becomes a client rather than a stakeholder.
“It’s important to consider two things. First, the Tribes are sovereign nations and communication should reflect that status. Second, the process shouldn’t be transactional. Invest in relationships that produce more meaningful and fruitful outcomes for everyone involved.”
– Jon Hedlund, Senior Archaeologist, ERO Resources Corporation
Insights to Tribal Consultation and Relationship Building
Building truly successful relationships with tribes involves more than simply checking the necessary boxes. The process requires recognizing tribal sovereignty, understanding past generational trauma, and pursuing mutually beneficial outcomes.
It’s important to recognize here that tribes are often inundated with requests and might not have paid staff to process all aspects of a project development plan – meaning the process might take additional time and prioritization of the most important aspects of a project is paramount. With that in mind, there are some key steps that can be taken both in one-off consultations or in maintaining a more regular relationship to streamline the process and meet project priorities for all stakeholders involved.
Efforts to identify interested tribes should extend beyond regional boundaries, considering relocated indigenous communities. Tribal consultation often involves groups that are native to a project area but can also include indigenous people who have relocated from elsewhere.
Leveraging State Historic Preservation Officers’ (SHPO) databases provides a starting point with insights into tribes with interests in specific areas. When required by Section 106, this is must and when operating outside the statute it remains a valuable resource. In any case, if a non-government entity is trying to get a tribe involved, mirroring that government-to-government relationship is a formal process that should not be taken lightly.
Engaging Early and Often
Early and regular communication with tribes is essential for meaningful participation. An even better method is to maintain communication, whether work is being done or not, on an ongoing basis so a real relationship can be built between a firm, municipality, and the tribe in question.
Initial outreach, including project details, invitations to consult, and breakdowns of the pros and cons to tribes directly is critical – and follow-up phone calls or emails set the stage for ongoing collaboration. Recognizing that tribes may need 45-60 days to respond underscores the importance of patience in the process and establishing appropriate timelines.
“Not only does a quality relationship [with Native American Tribes] make the consultation process smoother, we also pick up on things related to the local ecology that we might not normally.”
– Phillip Yates, City of Boulder
Creating Clear Lines of Communication
Providing concise and visually engaging information is also crucial. Establishing clear lines of communication facilitates effective dialogue and collaboration. Sometimes a tribal liaison will be established to help ensure this takes place.
Regular meetings contribute to building trust and fostering true collaboration, and visuals are often incorporated into the initial outreach portion to easily break down what is being requested of a tribe in a digestible way. Considerations of the tribe’s time and extra care in nurturing a relationship yields better project results for everyone involved, building true trust and collaboration between all stakeholders.
Tribal input should not only be acknowledged but actively incorporated into project designs. Meaningful benefits, such as opening project areas for tribes to collect natural resources they once had access to but no longer do, or incorporating a gathering space for tribal events into project planning demonstrate a commitment to tangible outcomes that align with tribal interests.
Above all else, project design should be finalized with tribe’s comments/concerns in mind, and ultimately with consideration of impacts to the ecological and cultural health of these areas.
On-Site Involvement and Unintended Archeological Discoveries
Central to this consultation process is a connectedness with the land. Involving tribal representatives on-site throughout the project, especially during construction, ensures their expertise on identifying natural and cultural resources is utilized.
For instance, during construction a tribal monitor might come out to a project site to observe where the land is being disturbed. Through site surveying and testing, sacred artifacts in the ground are typically avoided, but sometimes there are unintended archeological discoveries. In these cases, the cultural context provided by tribes is essential to setting appropriate actions. The preference in these instances is almost always to leave artifacts where they were found, but it is especially crucial regardless to have tribes guide the approach in the unfortunate event of these developments.
Lasting Benefits to Continuous Tribal Relationships
Maintaining relationships with tribal governments yields lasting benefits. The connections formed can enhance the project design process and benefit the broader community in the form of education and shared knowledge of peoples they share the land with.
There are a variety of guides related to the preservation of different natural resources also available that draw on this intimate knowledgebase. Harnessing historical and cultural knowledge for initiatives like forest management and river restoration ensures projects align with tribal values.
A Unique Approach for the City of Boulder
The City of Boulder offers a unique example of a municipality actively engaging with tribal communities. Their approach, involving annual formal consultations, specific projects with cultural connections, and virtual working group meetings, sets a precedent for fostering ongoing communication and collaboration.
To the City, navigating the tribal consultation process in project development is more than a legal requirement – it is an opportunity for meaningful collaboration, honoring the land’s history, and fostering relationships with indigenous communities. “We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to listen to and learn from Tribal Representatives and for all the time they have shared with us,” says Phillip Yates who leads the City of Boulder’s Tribal outreach program. “We thank them for the opportunity to build relationships with them and recognize the critical importance of sustaining those relationships in the future.”
By embracing the principles of respect, communication, and common sustainable goals we can create projects that not only meet regulatory standards but contribute positively to the cultural and environmental fabric of the communities they serve. Taking steps to maintain a relationship with regional Tribes is one area that serves that goal.
In an era marked by an increasing importance around environmental resilience, sustainable development is no longer just a buzzword – it’s the new “business as usual”. Sustainable development encompasses a wide range of practices aimed at reducing or eliminating the negative impact of human activities on the environment while fostering healthy and equitable communities.
In this piece, we’ll explore the numerous advantages of sustainable development practices, with a particular focus on the valuable role of sustainable professional accreditations in achieving these goals.
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What are the Advantages of Sustainable Development?
The advantages of sustainable development are multifaceted, extending across the natural and built environments, social systems, and the economy. Approaches must be forward-thinking and use a wide lens to evaluate potential impacts. From protecting natural resources to emphasizing active transportation, when community building aligns with sustainable practices, quality of life is improved for all.
Resource Efficiency and Cost Savings
One of the most significant advantages of sustainable development lies in its resource efficiency and cost-saving potential. With an emphasis on more efficient use of resources, sustainable design results in long-term savings that have the potential to outweigh initial investment. For example, water conservation measures and low-impact development (LID) strategies can significantly reduce water bills and alleviate the strain on local water resources over the long-term, which are becoming increasingly scarce in many areas.
Additionally, sustainable buildings incorporate energy-efficient features such as daylighting and insulation, leading to reduced energy consumption and lower energy costs. Over time, these designs pay dividends by reducing both operational costs and energy-use intensity, which is a key objective of the AIA 2030.
Resilience in Design
As our planet faces increasingly unpredictable and extreme environmental conditions, designing projects with resilience in mind becomes paramount. These projects often use more durable materials and construction methods that extend the lifespan of structures, reducing waste and future maintenance and replacement costs. This resilience extends to addressing challenges like climate change, seismic activity, and flooding – ensuring that projects remain functional during times of external stressors due to extreme weather, instability or resource challenges. Many of the services provided by this type of infrastructure are critical – hospitals, power generation facilities, emergency services, and essential ecosystem services.
Low impact development (LID) and stormwater planning for instance are crucial aspects of resilience. With growing concerns from disasters like wildfire and flooding making certain areas uninsurable, resiliency planning can help mitigate the growing threats as well as the associated costs of damage and recovery.
Property Value and Market Demand
In the world of vertical construction, properties with sustainability certifications often command higher market values than their non-certified counterparts. As sustainability becomes a more prominent concern for individuals and businesses, certification from frameworks like LEED, WELL, and SITES can significantly impact the demand for properties. Prospective buyers and tenants increasingly seek out environmentally friendly spaces that result in healthier and more productive spaces, making certified properties more appealing and valuable across markets.
Healthier Communities and Biodiversity
Sustainable development also contributes to the creation of healthier communities and supports biodiversity in several ways. Indoor spaces benefit from improved air quality and other features that enhance occupant health and productivity. Outdoor spaces, too, play a crucial role, as sustainable development often involves projects like rain gardens, brownfield cleanups, and habitat restoration efforts. These initiatives not only enhance the aesthetics of the community but also contribute to the well-being of the natural world on which we all rely.
Reducing carbon emissions collectively improves the health of communities by mitigating the impacts of climate change while also creating greater mobility and community connectivity. Acknowledging and rewarding such efforts is crucial to fostering a sense of responsibility for our environment.
Profiles in Sustainable Accredited Staff
See Danah’s Profile
See Charles’ Profile
See Omar’s Profile
The Value of Professional Accreditations on a Project Team
Having staff with sustainable accreditations on a project team can be vital to the successful implementation of the practices discussed above. Various sustainability certification frameworks, each with its own unique processes and criteria, require expertise to navigate effectively. Having accredited team members streamlines the certification process, is often a requirement, and ensures that projects meet the rigorous sustainability standards set by these frameworks.
Multiple Disciplines Working Toward a Common Goal
Sustainable design takes shape in a variety of ways and across all phases of project development. From meeting – or exceeding – formal sustainable certification goals to simply finding efficiencies, a team with a diverse skillset brings a holistic perspective to the entire process.
Taking this multidisciplinary approach maximizes collaboration between a diverse and deep understanding of how sustainability applies to interconnected project elements, which can be critical to delivering on green goals. Equally as important is bringing these teams together early and keeping them engaged from project conception through construction and commissioning.
Streamlining the Certification Process
Accredited team members play a pivotal role in streamlining the certification process. Given the variations in certification frameworks, their expertise ensures that the project team selects the most suitable framework, understands the available design and reporting options, and efficiently navigates the submittal process. This knowledge helps the project progress smoothly towards achieving, verifying, and communicating its sustainability goals.
Obtaining and Maintaining Sustainable Accreditation
Earning and maintaining sustainability accreditation is an ongoing process. As the industry quickly innovates, new techniques and case studies routinely become available to advance our understanding and practical implementation of what is considered “sustainable design”. Keeping up on those is also a requirement of keeping an accreditation.
Individuals value their accreditation as a mark of expertise and commitment to sustainability. Organizations like Otak support their accredited staff by encouraging them to earn and maintain their accreditations. Through initiatives like our OtakU, staff members have opportunities to enhance their skills and keep their knowledge current.
Designing for sustainability offers a multitude of advantages, from resource efficiency and cost savings to healthier communities and enhanced biodiversity. Having an accredited project team is instrumental in realizing these benefits, as it streamlines the certification process and ensures that projects meet the highest sustainability standards. With the increasing importance of sustainability in today’s world, having accredited staff members on your team is not just an asset – it’s a necessity for creating a better, more sustainable future.
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