Civil engineering for the optimal use of scarce land resources

There is abundant evidence that global resources are being exploited unsustainably and there are many forms of human activity which have to be curbed or redirected to reverse this. One of the resources is land space and one of the activities is civil engineering. This paper identifies scarce land resources, the significance to them of water, and ways in which engineering can improve or threaten them. Specific forms of engineered land development reviewed are irrigation schemes, storage reservoirs, steam power stations, built-up areas and transport infrastructure. Effects of construction on landscape itself are briefly introduced. Conclusions concern the needs to plan construction with natural systems and resources, to share land among different uses and to continue to develop engineering solutions to certain pressing problems.