2018 was marked as the European Year of Civil Engineers, a year when Civil Engineering was celebrated across Europe! This initiative by the European Council of Civil Engineers was successfully carried out throughout 2018.

Civil engineering belongs to the oldest domains of human activity – its history is as long as the history of civilization. The social role of civil engineering in the development of mankind has always been of fundamental importance because the standard of human life has been so highly dependent on its progress.

Civil engineering as a domain of technological activity is a key element of the national and international economy. The social, economic and cultural progress of every country is impossible without the contribution of civil engineers, based on their education, professional knowledge and experience. The impacts of their activity can be evidently observed in the form of buildings and structures of various types. In spite of its dynamic development and its very considerable modern achievements, civil engineering is commonly treated as a rather traditional domain of technology. This situation can be observed in many countries world-wide including in Europe.

Moreover, civil engineering is a profession that enjoys the highest level of public confidence. Civil engineers are ultimately responsible for the safe utilization of buildings and structures. Apart from their technological activities, civil engineers also increasingly consider the social effects of engineering decisions and therefore they are required to have a wider knowledge of the economic and social sciences in order to meet this condition.

Looking to the future, the civil engineering profession will play a fundamental role in dealing with many of the challenges that society will face. Our world is changing rapidly becoming increasingly urbanized resulting into social, economic and environmental stresses. The climate change and environmental degradation will also have a huge impact in our world. Added to the above is also the digital revolution, also known as the fourth industrial revolution. All these rapid changes will be a big challenge for the civil engineers who will be tasked with providing infrastructure which is both sustainable and resilient and will also be challenged to proactively address the opportunities and efficiencies which will be brought about.

What we are confident about is that the role of civil engineering will continue to grow into the future.

What were the goals of the 2018 EYCE?

• To reinforce the fundamental role of civil engineers in society in improving the standard of human life.

• To make the case for the prestige of the civil engineering profession in the community of European countries.

• To stress the pivotal role that civil engineers will play in addressing the challenges that will face society in the future.

How did we achieve them?

• Wide dissemination of the 2018 EYCE proclamation

• Designated logo to denote 2018 as the European Year of Civil Engineers

• Organization of various types of events related to the civil engineering profession by our Member Countries across Europe

• Designated standard presentation that was delivered during all EYCE even

• Marketing of the initiative through press, media, our website and our journal

• Free access to the two ECCE book editions "Civil Engineering Heritage in Europe" and "Footbridges – small is beautiful"

• Publication of a new ECCE Book "Notes on the history of civil engineering" that was presented and disseminated during the summarizing EYCE event in London.

• Communication of our initiative to the European authorities

2018 EYCE Proclamation

2018 EYCE Calendar of events (pdf format)

2018 EYCE Calendar of events (xls format with events description)

2018 EYCE Events report

ECCE Edition Civil Engineering Heritage in Europe

ECCE Edition Footbridges – small is beautiful