Sustainable infrastructure

Sustainable Infrastructure and Construction Engineering Research
Department of Civil Engineering
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
December 2014

1. Name: Sustainable Infrastructure and Construction Engineering Research
2. Introduction & Justification The taxonomy of infrastructure in civil engineering and built environment include: bridges,
roads, railways, airports, water, water treatment, dams, civil works in integrated power
projects and telecommunications, and other public works. According to a
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) report published in August 2014, the global
infrastructure spending is estimated to grow from $4 Trillion per year in 2012 to more than
$9 Trillion per year in 2025. The overall projection in infrastructure spending is close to
$78 Trillion between 2014 and 2025. Nigeria’s annual infrastructure spend is expected to
reach $77 Billion in 2025, for sustainable economic growth and expansion. The report
noted that growing urbanisation in emerging markets such as China, Indonesia, and
Nigeria should boost spending for such vital infrastructure sectors such as water, power
and transportation.

Thus, it is expected that over the next several years, global and local research will focus
on renewal of civil infrastructure systems in civil engineering and the built environment,
application of advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) to condition
assessment and structural health monitoring, and infrastructure asset management.
Other areas include intelligent design, construction, maintenance, operation and
decommissioning (a holistic life cycle view of civil engineering products). One of the
emerging global research frontiers includes topics such as Resilient and Sustainable
Infrastructure. Other areas include innovative materials for sustainable infrastructure and
construction including Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials, and critical infrastructure
systems. Infrastructure security is very necessary given Nigeria’s recent experiences on
terrorism that targets people and national infrastructure assets. There is a paradigm shift
on research with a focus on integrative and interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary research.
Sustainable Infrastructure and construction engineering research in the Department of
Civil Engineering UNN is well situated to respond to these emerging research needs and
paradigm shifts. The proposed research thrust has been developed over the past six
years in the department of Civil Engineering. The research group will pursue global
collaborative research as part of an overarching strategic plan which includes eventual
evolution to a self-sustaining Centre of Excellence. .

3. Research Focus The research is multi-/inter-disciplinary. It covers several areas as they impinge on
sustainable infrastructure delivery and construction engineering. These include:: ? Construction Engineering and Management ? Transportation ? Water and Environmental Systems ? Smart and Intelligent Buildings ? Infrastructure Procurement Systems (e.g. PPP, PFI, BOOT etc) ? Advanced ICT and Intelligent Systems in Civil Engineering and
Construction ? Innovative Construction Materials and Processes ? Critical Infrastructure Systems Security and Vulnerability Analysis ? etc
4. Proposed Research Topics
Specific research topics will be developed along the focus areas highlighted in the
preceding section. .
5. Composition of Members
The table below gives summary of the members. Their brief CVs are also attached. It
is envisaged that the group will expand with time.
Table 1: Research Group Members S/No Staff Name Position Area of Specialisation Role 1 Engr. Prof. UGWU Onuegbu Okoronkwo Professor Construction Engineering & Management Coordinator 2 Engr. Dr NWOJI Clifford Ugochuku Snr. Lecturer Structures & Construction Management Member 3 Dr NNAJI Chidozie Charles Lecturer I Water Resources & Environmental Member 4 Arc Engr. AMADOU Adamou Lecturer I Building/Structures Member
6 Brief CVs of Members The brief CVs of the research group are attached as appendices 01 – 04. Appendix 01 – Engr. Prof. O. O. Ugwu CV Appendix 02 – Engr. Dr. C. U. Nwoji CV Appendix 03 – Dr. C. C. Nnaji CV Appendix 04 – Arch. Engr. A. Amadou CV