The future of infrastructure engineering is open: Insights from the 2024 Year in Infrastructure
On October 10, 2024, industry leaders and innovators gathered for the second day of the 2024 Year in Infrastructure and Going Digital Awards, hosted by Bentley Systems. The event began with an impactful keynote by Bentley CEO Nicholas Cumins, who spoke on “Sustaining Tomorrow’s Infrastructure Today: The Critical Role of Open Data.” Cumins highlighted a critical juncture for infrastructure, noting that more than 95% of the systems we will rely on by 2030 are already in existence today. This stark reality underscores an urgent need to adapt and retrofit current infrastructure to meet future demands.
The focus of sustainable development must shift from merely building new infrastructure to enhancing and optimizing what is already in place
Cumins stressed that the focus of sustainable development must shift from merely building new infrastructure to enhancing and optimizing what is already in place. He pointed out that the pressure is on to ensure that existing infrastructure is resilient, efficient, and capable of meeting the evolving challenges posed by climate change and urbanization. “The future of infrastructure engineering is open,” Cumins stated, emphasizing a collaborative approach built on secure, shareable data. He argued that breaking down silos is essential for tackling global challenges, such as the expansion of energy grids and the modernization of transportation systems. By enabling a secure flow of data, the industry can better address sustainability goals and optimize existing assets.
One of the most significant announcements of the day was Bentley's partnership with Google
The next segment of the day featured a technology and product keynote titled “Making the Right Connections,” delivered by Mike Campbell, Chief Product Officer, and Julien Moutte, Chief Technology Officer. They elaborated on the strides infrastructure organizations have made in digital transformation, yet acknowledged that data, workflows, and stakeholders still remain largely disconnected. Campbell and Moutte emphasized that by fusing engineering, enterprise, and operational data, Bentley's digital twin technologies can unlock data silos, enhance collaboration, and drive innovation. They showcased Bentley’s latest advancements in AI, sustainability, and visualization, revealing new products designed to connect data, workflows, and professionals throughout the infrastructure lifecycle.
One of the most significant announcements of the day was Bentley's partnership with Google. This collaboration aims to integrate Google’s extensive geospatial data with Bentley’s infrastructure engineering software, creating a seamless ecosystem that provides users with actionable insights. Cumins noted that this partnership builds on Bentley’s recent acquisition of Cesium, a foundational platform for 3D geospatial applications. The integration of 3D geospatial data with Cesium and Bentley’s iTwin platform allows stakeholders to visualize their assets in a full, real-world context, enhancing decision-making capabilities.
After the keynote sessions, attendees participated in various breakout sessions focused on specific themes. Patrick Cozzi, the founder of Cesium and now Chief Platform Officer at Bentley Systems, shared the story of Cesium’s evolution from aerospace to geospatial applications and now to infrastructure. He emphasized the values of openness, community, and an ecosystem approach, which will guide Bentley’s future direction in infrastructure engineering software.
Following Cozzi, Professor Deb Chachra of Olin College of Engineering delivered a compelling keynote titled “Just, Creative, and Cooperative: Rethinking Our Infrastructure.” Chachra argued that our lives are profoundly shaped by access to infrastructural networks, which can serve as powerful tools for mitigating the impacts of climate change and fostering equitable communities. She called for a reevaluation of these systems to ensure they are resilient, sustainable, and inclusive, presenting a vision for how infrastructure can better serve society.
Leaders from various organizations emphasized the need to rethink water management strategies
One breakout session delved into the pressing issue of urban infrastructure, titled “Cities of the Future: Powering Smarter, Sustainable Infrastructure.” With projections indicating that by 2050, 70% of the world’s population will reside in cities, the panel discussed the urgent need for smart urban planning. Richard Vestner, Vice President of Cities at Bentley Systems, moderated the session inviting worldwide leading experts such as Jamie Cudden, Smart City Program Manager for Dublin City Council, Blaine Buenger, Technology Director, Foth, Jerry Dehn, Vice President, Global Technical Excellence, Jacobs, and Dr. Zoltan Nagy, Director, Intelligent Environments Laboratory & Assistant Professor, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering at The University of Texas to share their thoughts on how digital twins and AI can revolutionize urban infrastructure. They highlighted real-world applications in critical areas such as energy and transit, illustrating how these technologies facilitate collaboration among city leaders and their supply chains to make informed, data-driven decisions that improve urban living.
Another breakout session focused on water infrastructure, titled “Sustainable Water Infrastructure: A Blueprint for Climate Resilience.” As climate change, water scarcity, and extreme weather events increasingly challenge utilities, leaders from various organizations emphasized the need to rethink water management strategies.
Gregg Herrin, Vice President of Water at Bentley, opened the session with an overview of today’s water challenges, before handing the floor to a panel moderated by Andrea DuMont, Portfolio Product Manager, Water at Bentley Systems. The panel included Robert Mankowski, Senior Vice President of Open Applications at Bentley Systems; Jim Cooper, Global Director of Water Optimization at Arcadis; André Salcedo, Board Member at Attend Ambiental S.A.; and Serelle Corn, Owner and President of Project Controls Cubed.
They discussed how digital tools, such as artificial intelligence and digital twins, are empowering leaders to make informed decisions that enhance the design, construction, and operation of water systems and explored strategies to mitigate the growing complexity, cost, and risks associated with maintaining resilient infrastructure.
The event culminated in the Going Digital Awards Ceremony, a celebration of innovation and excellence in the industry. The highlight was the announcement of the winner in the Water and Wastewater category: SABESP’s Integra 4.0 Cultural Transformation Through Digitalization. This pioneering project integrates water supply, sewage, and sanitation data into a single digital environment, ensuring reliable access to clean water for 375 municipalities in São Paulo, Brazil.
The 2024 Year in Infrastructure and Going Digital Awards not only underscored the pressing challenges facing the industry but also reinforced a collective vision for a more sustainable and resilient future, grounded in collaboration, innovation, and the strategic use of open data.