Daniel Haufschild, senior planner for Arup, gave a presentation about behind-the-scenes scenarios of large infrastructure projects, notably demonstrating that the decision-making process is based on more than just technical analysis.
Arup transportation engineer Charles Hwang also joined in the presentation.
The October 11 lecture, entitled “Behind the curtain: How technical analysis shapes and is shaped by the political process,” was part of the UT-ITE seminar series.
Haufschild moderated the first part of the seminar, illustrating how he dealt with trade-offs during the decision-making process in past infrastructure projects. The Vancouver Broadway Subway and Mecca Comprehensive Master Plan projects were highlighted during the presentation. Haufschild shared some of the political and technical nuances he, as a planner, had to be aware of on those projects.
Charles Hwang conducted the last half of the session. He gave a Toronto-based case example: Sidewalk Labs. He talked about Sidewalk Labs’ goals and how this Google project is currently entangled in the city’s decision-making processes.
The seminar was followed by a free pizza lunch sponsored by Arup. A lively student crowd enjoyed lunch while talking with Arup associates and learning more about the organization.
View presentation file PDF for Behind the curtain: How technical analysis shapes and is shaped by the political process.
Daniel Haufschild leads Arup’s Canadian Integrated Planning practice. He is currently Project Director for the planning of the Vancouver SkyTrain extension to UBC, which is examining land development opportunities early in the planning process as a way to unlock the infrastructure investment. He is also leading the Queen Street Bus Rapid Transit business case for Metrolinx. Previously, he was planning director at Metrolinx for five years where his remit included bus and rail network planning and station area planning.