The Aurecon team will include its Client Manager – Government RSA, Nick Mannie, who will be discussing the industrial waste revolution; Portia Derby, Executive Director: Clients Africa; Liesl Booysen, Operations Manager Africa; and Stephan Kotze, Client Director – Manufacturing, who will be describing how waste can be minimised within the manufacturing sector. The company’s Technical Director – Buildings, Martin Smith, will talk on green precincts, while Water Engineer, Shamiso Kumbirai, will share insights from working on a  hydropower project in Uganda.

“In the future, smart African cities will be able to achieve zero waste, improve services to citizens and reduce municipalities’ operational costs thanks to smarter, more efficient waste collection systems. The global technology revolution is transforming how we think about waste management. The influx of people to the extended urban areas of poverty surrounding African cities, and the increasing consumption of products are only some of the things that are fueling waste generation across the continent,” says Mannie.

Smith, who has led Aurecon’s Environmental Sustainable Design (ESD) team to be the first engineering consultancy to achieve 50 green stars with the Green Building Council of South Africa, says that it’s time for us to move beyond green buildings and focus on green precincts.

“We have earned our ‘Stars’ in the art of green design, literally, and while innovation will continue to make further advances, our focus is shifting to ensuring sustainability in the face of almost overwhelming urbanisation. What’s the point of working or learning in a 5-Star Green Building if people are leading 1-Star lives once they leave the building? Sustainable communities help people lead more sustainable, healthy and connected lives,” says Smith.

Kumbirai’s presentation at the youth segment of the conference will relate how the learnings from her recent site visit to Eastern Uganda were relevant to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Aurecon was appointed to perform a bankable feasibility study for two run-of-river hydropower schemes in the region.

Aurecon is advancing many areas of production technologies through the deployment of solutions such as digital automation and robotics to reduce costs, improve quality and raise productivity. Kotze will be discussing how an end-to-end approach to manufacturing can improve the sustainability of businesses as well as economies.

Visitors to Aurecon’s exhibition stand at Sustainability Week will have the opportunity to discuss sustainability issues with the company’s thought leaders. Updates on the event are posted regularly on Aurecon’s social media channels.

Visit Aurecon’s website to learn more about inspiring projects in South Africa

About Aurecon

Aurecon is an engineering and infrastructure advisory company, but not as you know it. We’ve reimagined engineering.

Our clients’ ideas and aspirations drive all that we do. We work alongside them like no other firm to co-create clever, innovative solutions to some of the world’s most complex challenges, adding value across the project lifecycle through deep technical and advisory expertise. We serve our clients across a range of markets, in locations worldwide. Hardwired in our DNA are engineering, design and the deep need to leave a legacy. We are as diverse as we are dynamic. As curious as we are clever.

Drawing on our deep pool of knowledge, we bring vital engineering experience, technical capability and design expertise to the table. Then we listen deeply and intently. We see the opportunities, possibilities and potential that others don’t. Through a range of unique creative processes and skills, we collaborate with our clients to re-imagine, shape and design a better future.

We believe humanity depends on engineering; and we recognise we have a broader stewardship role to play. A deep responsibility to hold. As we continually strive for a life in balance, Aurecon clients will be both future ready and engineered for life.

Think engineering. Think again.

Aurecon: Engineering, re-imagined.

To find out more about what we have been up to visit our newsroom, or take a glimpse into the future on our Just Imagine blog.

Privately owned by employees, Aurecon formed in 2009 when Africon, Connell Wagner and Ninham Shand announced the formation of a new global group.

Please visit www.aurecongroup.com for further information.