Envision's Influence on Engineering Design

The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of how the Envision sustainable infrastructure framework is shaping engineering design decisions in infrastructure development. While existing studies analyze specific case studies in which Envision was applied and how the framework can be improved for broader application, there is a current gap in knowledge on how the framework shapes the thinking and approaches to sustainable infrastructure development taken by engineers, planners, investors, and owners. Due to the nation's deteriorating infrastructure and the need to adapt development patterns due to the changing climate and a diminishing supply of natural resources, this research is critical for the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) and engineering design professionals (Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, 2018). The study aims to answer three research questions through the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data: 1. How is Envision influencing engineering design decisions? 2. Is the use of Envision informing meaningful change? 3. In what ways is Envision impacting other non-Envision projects? A total of fourteen engineers and sustainability professionals were interviewed. The transcripts from each interview were coded in Dedoose to identify common themes that help answer the questions of this study. The results showed that Envision is helping professionals think about and apply greater sustainable planning and design practices. It is both a learning and guidance tool for all team members involved in infrastructure development. However, there are still issues preventing broader application, most notably the lack of incentives to apply Envision and awareness of the benefits of planning for and designing sustainable communities. This study provides valuable insights for ISI, policymakers, engineering design professionals, and students by highlighting Envision's current influence on land development and transportation projects and identifying opportunities for industry-wide improvement.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Dorn, Nichole Catherine

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Shealy, Earl Wade

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• White, Claire McKenzie
• Young, Kevin David

• Sustainability
• infrastructure
• Envision
• engineering
• green
• design

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:45435

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/140926