The InternationalConference on Sustainable Infrastructure–ICSI 2016 was held in Shenzhen from October17 to 19, under the theme of “a sustainable future for China, the Asian regionand the world”. The conference was jointly sponsored by the US National Academyof Engineering and Chinese Academy of Engineering.
The ICSI 2016focuses on sustainability in the built environment, presenting relevantengineering research, demonstrations and applications that contribute tocompetitiveness and well-being.
Zhou Ji, presidentof the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and C.D. Mote, president of the US NationalAcademy of Engineering, delivered speeches by remote video. Zhao Xiangeng , vicepresident of the Chinese academy of engineering, and Wu Yihuan vice mayor ofShenzhen attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.
Professor Slawomir W. Hermanowicz, the core principalinvestigator of environmental science &new energy technology researchcenter of Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI), was invited to attendthe conference and delivered a keynote speech on sustainable development fromthe perspective of physics, dynamics and ethics.
Professor Hermanowicz addressed fundamental ethical questions of sustainable development how to balance the needs of current population with future generations. Hefurther conducted a systematic dynamic analysis of the restoration of theColorado River, focusing on the impact of the ecological environment before andafter the construction of the dam, as well as the effects of federalgovernment’s policies concerning the dam. He also provided current data onintegrated systems, identified problems, and evaluated the feasibility andnecessity for future applications in the aquatic environment in the context ofenergy and entropy.
Professor Hermanowicz made akeynote speech at the conference
In the finalsession of interaction, Professor Hermanowiczintroduced Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute's background, vision, educationalphilosophy and model. TBSI is committed to exploring a unique education modelthat emphasizes integration of studentsand faculty from China and overseas; between vastly different disciplines; andbetween academia, industry and government-to cultivate of innovative spirit andleadership. At present, TBSI is selecting the best teachers all over the world.At the same time, excellent students and researchers from all over the worldare welcome to join us, Hermanowicz said.
At the conference,26 academicians of US National Academy of Engineering andChinese Academy of Engineering gathered together and offered advices for city'ssustainable development. Presentations and panel discussions coveredsustainable infrastructure planning, financing, design, construction andoperation: how practitioners are improving sustainable performance to meet thecritical challenges of a changing operating environment. It also focuseddeveloping roadmaps to address theNAE (US National Academy of Engineering)Grand Challenges.
audiences raise questions at the conference
Professor Hermanowiczinteracts withaudiences at the conference
writer: Meng Qu photographer: Minhui Li translator: Feifei Wei
