The Politics of Infrastructure

Course Description

As climate change, aging infrastructure, and regulatory demands reshape the landscape of civil and environmental engineering, professionals are increasingly turning to hybrid infrastructure solutions—systems that combine traditional gray infrastructure with nature-based (green) components. This course provides a practical, engineer-centered exploration of hybrid green–gray systems within the context of natural channel design and stormwater management.

Learners will be introduced to the functional principles, design considerations, and federal policy drivers that mandate ecosystem restoration and green infrastructure integration into federally sponsored projects. Through real-world case studies—including projects sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and other federal agencies—participants will examine how hybrid systems perform under real constraints and regulatory requirements.

Learning Objectives

1. Distinguish between green, gray, and hybrid infrastructure approaches and understand their respective roles in water resource design.

2. Identify key federal statutes and programs (e.g., WRDA, CWA, NEPA) that guide or require ecosystem restoration in infrastructure projects.

3. Evaluate design trade-offs and practical challenges using real federally funded project case studies that apply hybrid strategies.

4. Understand how 2D modeling tools like HEC-RAS can help visualize and validate hybrid infrastructure in terrain-based natural channel systems.

5. Apply performance-driven design principles to meet flood control, water quality, and ecological objectives within a hybrid framework.