News & Events

GZA waterfront engineers and landscape architect achieve WEDG Associate credential for climate resiliency design

At a Glance

NEW YORK and NORWOOD, Mass., February 2022--GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc. (GZA), a leading multi-disciplinary firm providing geotechnical, environmental, ecological, water, and construction management services, is honored to announce that 11 of its professional practitioners from offices in three states have earned Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines “WEDG Associate” status, demonstrating proficiency in sustainable waterfront property development practices.

Developed by the New York-based Waterfront Alliance, WEDG is a nationally recognized set of principles and practices for coastal, waterfront projects that was developed in 2018 by a multidisciplinary field of more than 150 experts to maximize resilience, ecology, and access at the water’s edge amid the growing risk of coastal flooding due to sea level rise. The voluntary, science-based guidelines help guide multi-disciplinary teams through the process of initial site assessment and planning and provide performance-based design targets for climate-conscious development and redevelopment of waterfront properties.

GZA CEO Patrick Sheehan said: “Across all of our consulting disciplines and offices, GZA is committed to incorporating resilience, sustainability, and climate adaptation into real estate site planning, design and operations, particularly in sensitive and vulnerable waterfront-edge areas. I join with everyone at GZA in congratulating our colleagues who have earned the prestigious qualification of WEDG Associate.’’
Karen Imas, Vice President of Programs, Waterfront Alliance said: “WEDG is an award-winning credit system for WEDG-Verified Projects based on a set of guidelines for excellence in resilient, accessible, and ecologically-sound urban waterfront design and decision-making–think LEED® for the waterfront. The WEDG Associate program is a platform for participants to learn from innovators in the fields of waterfront planning, design, engineering, community development, maritime, and finance/risk about designing for a resilient 2050+.’’ 

GZA team members certified this month as WEDG Associates include:

  • Anders Bjarngard PE, WEDG, Principal, Amesbury, MA
  • Ryan DaPonte PE, WEDG Project Manager, Providence, RI
  • Michael Gardner WEDG Coastal Engineer, Norwood, MA
  • Todd Greene PE, WEDG Associate Principal, Providence, RI
  • Tyler Jacob EIT, WEDG Engineer I, Providence, RI
  • Alexander Karp WEDG Assistant Project Manager, Amesbury, MA
  • Alexander Roper WEDG Water Resources Engineer, Norwood, MA
  • Dan Stapleton PE, WEDG Senior Principal, Norwood, MA
  • Barry Stuedemann PE, PWS, WEDG Associate Principal, Oak Brook, IL
  • Lucas Taylor WEDG Engineer, Amesbury
  • Jay Womack ASLA, LEED AP, WEDG Senior Landscape Architect, Oak Brook, IL