Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions

Conference Track:  Society & Technology

Keywords:         construction, quality of life, technology, education, value

Contact Title::    Dr.

Contact First Name: Ramon Luis

Contact Last Name:  Carrasquillo Carrasquillo

University:       Carrasquillo Associates, LTD./The University of Texas at Austin

Web:              www.carrasquilloassociates.com

Position:         President/Adjunct Professor

Country:          USA

Email:            rlc@carrasquilloassociates.com

Fax:              512.358.7021

Paper Title:

The Construction Industry: An Economy of Socio-Cultural Responsibility

Abstract:

All countries in Latin America are faced with the growing demands of what seems to be an ever growing population, changing moral values and dwindling financial resources. The main objective of this presentation is to demonstrate the importance of teamwork among all professionals to fully realize the value of education, technology and the construction industry as a fundamental tool to improve the quality of life in our countries.

This presentation establishes the importance of the construction industry as an industrial, social and cultural movement that affects directly and/or indirectly all of the basic foundations of the quality of life. The construction industry is an effective tool that affects all aspects of life including cost of living, employment, health, housing, crime, earning potential, family life, and above all, the quality and respect for human life. Thus, we must establish the value of the construction industry not in terms of the short term direct cost of a project benefiting just a few but rather on its long term contribution to the quality of life of all living in a country.

However, the success of the construction industry in improving the quality of life  depends greatly on the teamwork, consciousness and vision of all of the professionals involved in the decision making process affecting any given project. Thus, this talk emphasizes the concept of “being part of the solution and not being part of the problem” as a team goal in any project. This presentation describes the socio-cultural contribution to the quality of life of several technological developments in many areas of construction. These include, among others, examples from recent projects in architecture, transportation, low cost housing, recycling, new developments in concrete materials, accelerated construction, maintenance and service life. And, above all, this presentation will stress the need and socio-cultural responsibility of all professionals to actively get involved and support the educational institutions from elementary schools to graduate programs as well as the continuing education of practicing professional.

Mailing Address:

4534 West Gate Blvd., Suite 230

Austin, Texas 78735

Phone:

512.358.7020 - Office

512.358.7021 - Fax

512.663.8656 - Mobile

Authors:

Ramon L. Carrasquillo, PhD, PE

President

Carrasquillo Associates, LTD.

4534 West Gate Blvd., Suite 230

Austin, Texas 78735

"rlc@carrasquilloassociates.com"