Why is Civil Engineering and Urban Planning Important for City Development? Frank S. Chuang Weighs in
Throughout history, poorly developed cities have resulted in everything from increased likelihood of drought, to disease, and even to travel difficulties to and from key landmarks. Therefore, settlers to the United States in the late 17th and early 18th Centuries began planning their cities to ensure that not only could residents access roads and rivers necessary for survival, but the town could continue to grow and develop so as not to become congested and disorganized.
At the turn of the 20th Century, urban planning and civil engineering became a respectable vocation that helped improve deteriorating parts of town and also allowed real estate development to flourish. Today, civil engineers work alongside urban planners to improve citizens’ quality of life in major population centers. One notable engineer experienced with urban planning is the president of L-C Association, Dr. Frank S. Chuang. Here is a quick guide to understanding the key roles in civil engineering and how those roles are vital to city development, courtesy of Frank S. Chuang.
Civil Engineering
Everything pertaining to structures in today’s society arrives by way of advances and design by civil engineers. Within this discipline, there are a number of specialties that most engineers choose as their proficiency. Some, such as Frank S. Chuang, practice a number of these specialties at once in a branch of civil engineering known as multi-disciplinary engineering. Other engineers will focus primarily on one discipline.
Transportation
Within civil engineering, transportation engineering focuses on the design, construction, and maintenance of waterways, roads, highways, railways, and bridges. Frank S. Chuang explains that these engineers must be able to know the traffic demands placed upon their designs and ensure that all execution of those plans adheres to the appropriate standards. As structure supporting transportation deteriorates with age and use, transportation engineers are in charge of knowing where and when maintenance should take place.
Geo-Technical
Not all ground or environments can bear equal levels of construction due to the natural landscape. Before construction crews break ground on a project, geotechnical engineers must examine the geological implications for constructing planned development. These engineers may approve a site, suggest modifications to the plan, and issue warnings over potential environmental dangers that the plan might uncover.
Structural
Structural engineers may work alongside transportation engineers during the planning phase, or they may devote their craft to non-transportation structures, such as large buildings. Like most engineers, Frank S. Chuang notes that structural engineers must have a strong basis in math and physics. They must be able to make the kind of calculations that create sound blueprints for civil engineering projects.
Urban Planning
An urban planner typically focuses upon public works projects in service to the community and by employment of the federal or local government. Before launching any real estate development projects, urban planning ensures that each part of city development is intentional and sustainable.
While urban planners work alongside civil engineers, their roles are different. Urban planning often assumes more of a community and welfare-focused approach to anticipating the impact of developing and constructing new parts of town. Engineers, however, are tasked with the planning and implementation of those structures/development projects.
Dr. Frank Chuang is a multidisciplinary engineer and president of L-C Association. Dr. Chuang is passionate about urban development and building a more Eco-friendly world.
