Civil and environmental engineering research and development are
essential in the efforts to assess, design, improve, and implement
infrastructure. Engineering disciplines are vital to adequately
identifying infrastructure problems, improving designs, developing new
technologies, and ensuring safety. While engineering is effective in
assessing and improving infrastructure in general, it is significantly
less effective in conducting research and development to combat
fundamental environmental injustices. There exists no tool to design,
execute and evaluate engineering infrastructure research and development
through an environmental justice framework, which is vital to realize
Justice 40 Executive Order 14008, which aims to invest in
climate-resilient infrastructure that is specifically allocated towards
environmental justice initiatives for disenfranchised communities. In
the absence of a framework, various sectors, whether it be the private
sector, philanthropy, academia, or government, each conduct engineering
research and development under different theories as to how to realize
positive change. Not only are some common engineering theories of change
ineffective at addressing fundamental injustices, but many aspects
result in the further perpetuation of inequities. Engineering
disciplines need to adopt an equitable framework through which to engage
in environmental justice efforts. The work herein presents a theory of
change framework that various sectors can use to improve the equity and
effectiveness of engineering research and development of infrastructure.
We assess common engineering theories of change practiced in the private
sector, philanthropy, academia, and government, and provide analysis,
critique, and recommendations as to how engineering processes can
effectively realize Justice 40.