Diversified

FRANZ

While safety and productivity are core elements of the institute's research, CII is diversifying to be more global and seek best practices in additional markets outside its oil-and-gas origins, such as health care, education and buildings. For example, its 2014 chair will be Anna Franz, the director of planning and project management for the Architect of the Capitol. She will be the first architect and the first woman to lead CII. "We are looking to serve various cultures, age groups and industries who will build in the future," Franz said.

Introducing a new topic to CII—regional planning for sustainability and disaster resilience—E. Sarah Slaughter, president of the Built Environment Coalition, said communities need to take stock of their regional assets. "If you take a systems approach and look at the interdependencies," she said, "you may find a small change that can provide significant benefits in all directions." Those "sweet spots" indicate actions that regions can take immediately to see improvements on many levels, from economic opportunity and quality of life to reducing vulnerability to hazards.