ABSTRACT
Civil engineering is a branch of engineering that aims to serve and benefit society by providing access to basic services such as water, shelter, transport, and communications. In recent years, ethical issues within this discipline have received increasing attention. To ensure that the work of civil engineers does not result in adverse societal and environmental effects, it is essential that future professionals are trained to understand, identify, and solve ethical issues related to their work. This chapter provides an overview of ethical issues, dilemmas, and challenges that are key for teaching civil engineering ethics. The historical framework and subdisciplines of civil engineering are described, followed by a discussion of ethical issues structured around the primary life-cycle stages of civil engineering projects: design and planning, development and construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning. The topics covered include professionalism, social responsibility, sustainability, health and safety, inclusiveness, and decolonization. Case studies and guiding questions are provided for each topic.
