As the world becomes more and more urbanized, the infrastructure sector has become one of the major battlegrounds for fighting climate change and leveraging resource and energy efficiency. Developing new – and refurbishing existing – infrastructure in a safe and sustainable way is vital to building a better, greener future for ourselves and our planet. For over 70 years, Dorsch Gruppe has been a trusted consulting and engineering partner for customers both private and public. CEO Olaf Hoffman explains their mission quite succinctly, saying:
“The main service we are offering in urban design: we build whatever you need to build a city. Dorsch Gruppe wants to develop safe, affordable, sustainable, and decarbonized infrastructure to fight poverty, to give access to portable water, and to increase the quality of life for future generations.”
This very goal requires concepts tailored to each region’s specific needs and conditionalities. To this end, Tanja Baur, CEO of International Cooperation, explains how Dorsch Gruppe tackles issues such as food security with an integrated approach:
“We combine our expertise in engineering and irrigation, agricultural land management, biodiversity protection, supporting local self-governing structures, skill development, and conflict mitigation. Over time, with this highly holistic approach and in very close collaboration with our long-term local partners, we have supported the regaining of agricultural land and income generation – in particular in Mali, Niger and Guinea – for over 5 million people.”
Within this diverse group of companies, the teams, and people at Dorsch Gruppe all share one common objective: to add sustainable value to communities worldwide.
This is also showcased by a project in Palestine. When the people of Gaza were suffering from severe electricity shortages and continuous blackouts, municipalities were left without power to run their water treatment works. Thanks to a grant from the German Federal Government, Dorsch Gruppe supported the local authorities and utilities with the design, construction supervision, and operation support of the new Gaza Central Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Reflecting on the impact of the project, Sofia Al Hmoud, Deputy Manager of Sanitation Projects, noted:
“The design, including anaerobic digestion and co-generation, is what makes the plant energy self-sufficient, along with solar panels. That provides safe sanitation and clean water for 1.2 million people.”
While being active in over 60 countries across the globe, Dorsch Gruppe also advances innovative engineering at home in Germany. The EUREF-Campus in Berlin, a large and innovative urban development area, brings together new and existing infrastructure to create a part of the city that is in harmony with the surrounding needs. In fact, EUREF-Campus has already achieved the federal emission reduction goals set to be attained until 2045.
Dr. Juan J. V. Villeda, the Head of BLS Energieplan’s energy consulting business, outlines the various innovations incorporated into the campus infrastructure:
“In terms of electricity, heating and cooling, the campus is highly decarbonized. We achieve this by combining bio-methane based combined heat and power, photovoltaics, battery storage, and intelligent control of the buildings. Furthermore, we integrate innovative technologies such as power to heat and power to cool into the system.”
As another key sector fundamental to lower global emissions, Dorsch Gruppe also is active in mobility, working with various stakeholders and governments worldwide to provide mobility solutions that integrate into existing environmental and social settings. PB Consult Mobility Expert Gary Harris describes their efforts as such:
“We want to improve the attractiveness of public transport by providing clear networks with optimal connections to each other and prioritize public transport in the road system. We’re doing projects such as cycle logistics, rail reactivation, and of course public transport prioritization, and in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, we’re putting in cycle facilities.”
From green transport and climate-smart buildings in buzzing cities, over energy self-sufficient wastewater treatment plants, and renewable energy, to agricultural land management and income generation in rural areas – the range of Dorsch Gruppe’s services show how responsible, inclusive business operations can contribute to the attainment of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
With the climate crisis intensifying each year, Dorsch Gruppe’s effort to foster a just transition towards a more sustainable tomorrow is coming not a moment too soon.
