What is Civil Engineering ?

Making a Difference

Civil engineering can have a positive impact on poverty.

During the Depression of the 1930's Canadian engineers helped with government make-work projects such as the Broadway Bridge over the South Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Other engineers worked with the "Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Act" on small dams and erosion control projects. These projects helped provide work for the vast numbers of unemployed people in Canada.

Access to Clean Water

1998 marked the tenth anniversary of the invention of the Canadian Water Filter, (CWF), by Dr. David H. Manz (Dave) of the Department of Civil Engineering in Calgary.

The CWF was designed to be a simple, affordable water purification system capable of being built and used in developing countries.

The Canadian Water Filter is an intermittently-operated slow sand water filter which is:

capable of being constructed on location, using native materials
easy to construct
easy to install
minimal, simple maintenance
effective in removing pathogens and contaminants
no chemicals, disposables or waste
can treat as little as one-third of a litre of water per minute up to several thousands of litres per minute

Want to Know More About the CWF?

Experienced engineers are needed on Buton in South East Sulawesi, Indonesia to help with water and sanitation programs.

Back to Basics: 24/08/2000 issue of the New Civil Engineer

Photos courtesy of Colum Wilson, a civil engineer serving as a relief worker with Medecins Sans Frontieres

photos scanned, with permission from NCE

The Register of Engineers for Disaster Relief, civil engineering's own humanitarian aid agency, has undertaken over 900 assignments with more than 100 agencies in 70 countries. There are branches in Australia, New Zealand, and offices in India, East Africa and Canada.

More pictures of RedR projects scanned with permission from NCE

"Competition for scarce water resources is increasingly a source of political tension. Engineering can play a major role in defusing it..."

Keeping the Peace: 24/08/2000 issue of the New Civil Engineer International

Graduates Fly to Gambia's Aid - 19/10/2000 issue of the New Civil Engineer

Six civil engineering graduates will travel to Banjul to construct two latrine blocks in one of the city's poorest district. They will be using local labour and training them in basic construction techniques and maintenance.

Engineers Without Borders

Engineers Without Borders is a registered Canadian charity that helps people in developing communities gain access to the technology they need to improve their lives. By undertaking projects in the areas like water and sanitation, food production, health and hygiene, and communications and Information Technology, EWB has lasting impact with those who are most in need.

In the past two years, EWB has made a difference in more than 15 countries around the world. More than 40 EWB volunteers have lived and worked in developing communities in the Philippines, Nepal, Zambia, India and more.