WSP USA Charts Direction on Climate and Equity at United for Infrastructure 2021, With Opening Remarks by President Biden
NEW YORK, May 11, 2021 /3BL Media/ — This week, WSP USA’s Tom Lewis and Denise Turner Roth will present panel discussions on driving solutions for better policies and on investing in sustainable and equitable infrastructure, as part of United for Infrastructure 2021: A Week to Champion America’s Infrastructure.
WSP, a leading engineering and professional services consultancy and a primary sponsor of the event, has been an active participant and sponsor since it began nine years ago. Formerly known as Infrastructure Week, this five-day series of virtual sessions brings together influential organizations and individuals from across the U.S. to discuss a shared commitment to “lead with infrastructure.”
Kicking off on May 10, the week begins with a pre-recorded keynote presentation by President Joe Biden and comprises 25 curated events. Each session features a diverse panels of speakers — including Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation; and Suzanne Clark, president and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among many others — who will discuss and debate a range of topics related to one of our nation’s most pressing issues: improving and enhancing our infrastructure to prepare for a dynamic future.
Among the sweeping range of topics, WSP will participate in panel discussions focused on resilience and equity in infrastructure development.
Tom Lewis, executive lead of the Climate, Resilience & Sustainability business line at WSP USA, will join members of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. Department of Transportation, and others for “Make It Resilient.” Scheduled for Tuesday, May 11 at 12 p.m. EST, the session will explore the potential impacts of climate change on national security, disaster response and recovery, increasing economic competitiveness, and the connection between investment in infrastructure resilience and improvement in American lives.
“Active involvement with leadership from the government and infrastructure industry organizations can be a real force multiplier for improved, resilient and sustainable infrastructure in the U.S.,” Lewis said. “Like WSP, all of the organizations participating in infrastructure week have a keen focus on supporting, innovating and accelerating future-focused infrastructure solutions.”
Denise Turner Roth, WSP USA Advisory Services business executive lead, will lend her perspective to “Make It for Everyone,” a panel conversation focused on delivering equity in infrastructure solutions. During the session, transportation, water and engineering industry leaders will look at the systemic inequities impacting access to safe and reliable infrastructure and how owners and providers are beginning to build equity considerations in decision making. Roth will also discuss the Center of Excellence for Equity that WSP is launching. The session is planned for Wednesday, May 12 at 12 p.m. EST.
“This is a unique time for the U.S., as our country is positioning equity as a priority outcome in a way that I haven’t seen in my 30 years in the industry,” Roth said. “The infrastructure industry must be poised to work in tangent with clients to learn together and develop creative solutions to ensure this commitment to equity becomes a permanent and sustainable reality.”
Other sessions planned for the week include:
- “Water Infrastructure as a Driver of Economic Recovery, Equity and Resilience”
- “How Private Investment Can Support Smarter, Cleaner, Faster Infrastructure”
- “Building for the Future: Investing in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Schools”
- “Freight Movement: Shipping, Trucking and the Last Mile”
- “Regional Strategies for 21st Century Infrastructure Innovation”
For more information or to register for the event, visit https://unitedforinfrastructure.org/
About WSP USA
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 10,000 employees in 170 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com
