This document proposes writing a report on the negative environmental impacts of construction engineering. It provides background on how infrastructure development can degrade the environment through pollution, habitat destruction, and resource depletion. It then lists several questions to investigate regarding measures to reduce impacts, protecting wildlife, minimizing disruption, and regulating industry standards. The proposed research methods include site visits, literature reviews, and evaluating reliable sources on topics like impact prediction and mitigation. A timeline is also included for completing drafts and presenting findings by late April.

1. To:
From: Almutairi, Saud
Date: 21 January 2014
Subject: Abstracts for In-class Assignment
APA Format:
Marshall, A. (2013, November). Thinking Differently About
Transportation: How Ideas Drive What we Build. Future
Structure, 10-19.
MLA Format:
Marshall, Alex. “Thinking Differently About Transportation:
How Ideas Drive What we Build.” Future Structure Nov. 2013:
10-19. Print.
Informative Abstract:
The white paper cites several examples to illustrate how
infrastructure development does not necessarily require large
investments or sophisticated technology, but can instead be
brought about by thinking differently. For example the Bus
Rapid Transport (BRT) utilizes buses and dedicated lanes to
deliver a fast surface transportation system similar to
underground subways. Another example is bicycle sharing and
public plazas, being adopted by major cities across the world. A
different approach to tackle the twin problems of car congestion
and falling revenues from gas taxes was adopted by Ohio
planners when they introduced a pilot project to charge
motorists according to miles driven, and not according to fuel
consumed. Also notable is the revival of intercity bus travel by

2. the “Chinatown” bus system in Boston. Ethnic Chinese in the
city started an extremely low priced transit system by picking
up people off the streets instead of from designated bus
stations. Through these examples the author tries to show that
often complex infrastructure problems can be solved by taking
account peoples’ lifestyles and habits, and by evaluating the
objectives of a project, rather than by simply spending money to
create more infrastructures.
Descriptive Abstract:
Infrastructure and transport problems are faced by every major
city in the world, but many cities often solve their problems by
approaching the problems differently than by investing large
amounts. Some of the solutions adopted by cities require neither
high technology nor huge government spending – instead they
try to meet their objectives in a different way. City planners and
transport officials need to identify the lifestyles of city dwellers
in order to understand why a problem has occurred, and then
need to evaluate their objectives. This often leads to a more
optimal solution, often at a much lower cost but with greater
participation from users.
1
From:
To:
Date: 2014/17/04
Subject: Proposal to write a report on the negative impact of
construction engineering to the environment.
Introduction
Construction engineering is credited for the growth of

3. infrastructure worldwide. Each day, there are more railroads,
buildings, bridges, dams, highways and airports, coming up.
The drive of this paper is to offer insight into the unwanted
effects that come with growth in infrastructure. It will also
encompass research findings into the problem and propose
possible solutions.
Background of the problem
While growth and development is welcome, it is paramount to
look into the downside of modifying the environment, through
infrastructure to suit the needs of mankind.
Infrastructure is an indicator of a country’s economic growth.
Each country strives to acquire the highest level of
infrastructure possible. Developing countries lag behind in
terms of infrastructure development and in a bid to improve on
that, there is massive construction going on. With the scarcity
of resources, the available resources are exploited to a point of
depletion to provide to the needs of the construction industries.
Developing countries are not the only victims of environmental
degradation from infrastructure growth. The negative effects of
construction engineering on the environment are widespread.
(Life –cycle cost analysis and design of civil infrastructure
system)
Some of the issues that happen from infrastructure development
and growth include:
· Environmental pollution: For instance, most industries in
construction engineering use fossil fuels to operate their
machines. When released into the air, these fuels cause air
pollution. Manufacturing of Cement, which is the main
component in construction, causes the emission of
anthropogenic carbon dioxide. This is a toxic gas which
contributes to air pollution. They also increase atmospheric
temperature, which causes a decline in biodiversity,

4. hydrological changes, and climate shift and nutrient cycles.
These changes have a direct impact on human health.
Industrial waste that is disposed of into water bodies causes
water contamination, which interferes with vegetation.
· Noise pollution from the industries and machines used during
construction.
· Increase in traffic due to road blocks during construction.
· Littering from debris falling during construction.
· The waste generated from these industries could lead to
outbreaks and the spread of diseases. It could also lead to soil
erosion.
· Displacing people from their areas of residence to pave way
for highways, railroads, airports etc.
· Congestion arising from putting up too many buildings in one
area.
· Accidents, fatal or otherwise, occur during construction. This
could happen to the construction workers, people passing by the
construction site, or peoples using infrastructure like bridges.
There have been instances where buildings have collapsed and
bridges fallen apart.(predicting the severity of buildings)
· Deforestation to pave way for roads. Forests form habitats for
many wild animals, and when they are cleared, the animals are
forced to migrate to other places.(reducing the impacts of
development on wildlife)
· Dams cause flooding of the habitat hindering the migration of
fish and block the flow of sediments. In addition, increased

5. salinity in the dams interferes with water quality. Mercury
leaching from the soil in the dam and organic matter makes the
water unfit for irrigation or consumption.(predicting the
severity of buildings)
· Road construction in areas where forests once stood, gives
easy access to hunters and poachers to animals that dwell in
areas so remote, they would otherwise be unreachable illegal
poaching and hunting contributes to a steep decline in the
number of endangered species.(Transportation system planning)
· Birds in migration are often killed in collision with structures
put up as telephone masts. Electric fences also lead to the death
of birds through electrocution.(Reducing the impacts of
development on wildlife)
· Improved infrastructure leads to an increase in tourism. This
puts pressure on natural reserves and leads encroachment into
reserved resources and natural habitats where there are scarce
resources.
· Airports have made it possible for tourists to travel all over
the world. Tourism can cause water shortage because of overuse
of water in swimming pools, and personal use in hotels.
(Transportation system planning)
· Having too many buildings concentrated in one place, causes
rain water to run into drains causing floods instead of soaking
into the ground.
· Dams form a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which cause
malaria.(Environmental issues associated with infrastructure)
Questions to be investigated
· What measures should construction engineers put in place to
reduce environmental pollution?

6. · Is it possible to proceed with infrastructure without having to
displace people from their homes?
· Do construction engineering companies provide insurance to
cover those injured during construction?
· What steps are taken to safeguard the environment?
· Is the government involved in regulating the operations of
construction industries?
· What technology is used in developing the infrastructure?
· When interfering with the natural habitats, are the endangered
species relocated to prevent them from being extinct?
· How can interference with flora and fauna be minimized?
· How can we retain cultural heritage and still have
infrastructure?
Research methods
To compile a well-informed formal report will visit construction
sites to assess how much damage their activities cause to the
environment. I will also look into online articles published on
the impact of construction engineering on the environment also
intend to read books on construction engineering, which will
provide an even broader perspective on the problem at hand and
offer possible solutions. My research will not be limited to one
country; it will cover the world at large since environmental
degradation by the construction is a worldwide problem.
I found the sources below to be extra reliable in providing
adequate information, accurate statistics and valid facts in
regards to the problem presented:
1. Frangopol, Dan M., and Hitoshi Furuta. Life-cycle cost
analysis and design of civil infrastructure systems. Reston, VA:

7. Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of
Civil Engineers, 2001.
2. Sarsby, R. W. Environmental Geotechnics. London: Thomas
Telford, 2000.
3. Ranade, Prabha Shastri. Infrastructure development and its
environmental impact: study of Konkan Railway. New Delhi:
Concept Pub. Co., 2009.
4. "Civil College." What is Civil Engineering? N.p., n.d. Web.
18 Mar. 2014. www.engineersaustralia.org.au/civil-
college/what-civil-engineering.
"REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS DUE TO
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES."
www.rwdi.com/cms/publications. Rowan Williams Davies &
Irwin Inc., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
www.rwdi.com/cms/publications/
5. Canter, Larry W.. Environmental impact assessment. New
York: McGraw-Hill, 1977.
6. Gangolells, Marta, Miquel Casals, Santiago Gassó, Núria
Forcada, Xavier Roca, and Alba Fuertes. "A methodology for
predicting the severity of environmental impacts related to the
construction process of residential buildings." Building and
Environment 44.3 (2009): 558-571.
7. Gleeson, James, and Deborah Gleeson. Reducing the impacts
of development on wildlife. Collingwood, Vic.: CSIRO Pub.,
2012.
8.
"www.miga.org/documents/EIA_Study_Cargo_Storage_Facility
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY AND
MITIGATION PLAN FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A CARGO
STORAGE WHAREHOUSE AT FREETOWN
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, LUNGI. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar.
2014.
<http://www.miga.org/documents/EIA_Study_Cargo_Storage_F
acility>.
9. Amekudzi, A., and M. Meyer. Consideration of
environmental factors in transportation systems planning..

8. Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Board, National
Research Council, 2005.
10. "Environmental Issues associated with Infrastructure."
www.environmental-auditing.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket.
N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. www.environmental-
auditing.org/LinkClick.
Timetable
Once I gather all the information I require and investigate the
credibility of the sources I will use, I will compile a progress
report which I will then hand in on 4th April. Later, on 8th
April or 10th April, I will present my findings. My rough draft
of the report will be availed to you on April 15th.Upon
receiving feedback; I will dedicate the remaining time to work
on the final draft which I will hand in to you on 25th April.
Request for approval
I am grateful for the approval of a formal report, welcome
questions and suggestions on how I should do with my report.