Urban Engineers (Urban) is thrilled to be participating in this year’s Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. Our engineering experts are involved in an array of activities, including these Friday tours:

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Half Day Tour, TF11: Reclaiming the Schuylkill River with Sustainable Sites. What was once a formerly industrial no-man’s land is now a sustainable space that encourages recreation and alternative transportation along the tidal Schuylkill Corridor. This greenway helps people become and stay healthy by creating a welcoming environment for physical activity, while keeping the river and air clean by filtering stormwater, cleaning carbon out of the air, and reducing vehicle miles traveled. In less than a decade, the Center City portion of Schuylkill Banks went from virtually no public use to more than 19,000 user trips per week, and the Grays Ferry Crescent greenway is becoming an increasingly popular spot for fishing, dog walking, picnics, and other community gatherings. 

SPEAKER:

 Daniel Humes, PE

Title: Deputy Practice Leader, Site/Land Development
Relationship to the Project: Civil engineer
Email: dbhumes@urbanengineers.com

Mr. Humes is a multidisciplinary professional engineer with experience in construction and civil engineering design. Areas of specialization include stormwater management, erosion and sedimentation control, utility coordination and relocations, and land development design and permitting.

A professional engineer in Pennsylvania, Humes earned his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State University and his bachelor of arts in natural sciences degree from Lock Haven University. He is an active member in the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia, and the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers (PSPE). Additionally, he serves as PSPE’s Valley Forge Chapter MathCounts® Coordinator, promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to middle school students to increase their academic and professional opportunities.

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Half Day Tour, TF10: State-of-the-Art Research Facilities: University City District Labs. On the University of Pennsylvania’s leafy campus is the Richard’s Medical Lab Building, designed by world-famous architect Louis Kahn. This National Historic Landmark was recently renovated and predicted to achieve LEED-CI. Attendees will hear about the challenges of adaptive reuse of an iconic modern structure that was no longer well-suited for its original purpose.

SPEAKER:

 James Bilella, PE

Title: Vice President and Director of Building Systems
Relationship to the Project: MEP Project Manager
Email: jabilella@urbanengineers.com

Mr. Bilella has more than 21 years of diverse professional experience in engineering design and construction. His portfolio includes significant university projects at University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Drexel University. He is a member of numerous professional societies, including Delaware Valley Green Building Council, and currently serves as Council President for Berlin Borough, New Jersey.