Insights for what's next

Explore practical perspectives that turn complex challenges and emerging trends into real-world outcomes.

466 items
train
Report

The Integrated Rail Plan

Released following COP26, the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) for the Midlands and the North of England sets out the investment in an integrated rail network across large parts of the U.K. However, this is just the start in delivering the outcomes needed by the plan of regeneration, improvement and "levelling up". To realize these ambitions, what needs to happen next?

crossrail train
Report

Net Zero Rail: The U.K.'s network of the future

The U.K.’s rail industry faces an intensive period of infrastructure upgrade and new delivery. This paper provides insight and solutions on seizing the opportunity to help the industry deliver passenger first and net zero outcomes.

Rail and Transit Infrastructure
Report

Transforming infrastructure through smarter information: A rail industry case study

Jacobs partnered with Network Rail and the University of Cambridge Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction - an innovation and knowledge center that feeds into the Centre for Digital Built Britain - to successfully trial and further innovate leading-edge research on digital twins, establishing a method to identify information requirements that are appropriate, relevant and effective.

coastline port
Big Questions

How can integrated adaptive planning shape coastlines and ports of tomorrow?

Climate change is reshaping coastlines faster than traditional ports and shoreline defenses can keep up. To stay ahead, nations need integrated adaptive planning — a smarter, system‑wide approach that blends coastal science, engineering and long-term risk-modeling. It layers solutions across scales, from regional coastal systems to local catchments and individual assets, creating strategies that adapt to changing conditions. This is where Jacobs Project Manager Jia Hann makes a real difference — bringing extensive experience at the intersection of coastal science, maritime engineering and climate adaptation. With integrated adaptive planning at the core of his approach, Jia Hann leads multidisciplinary teams to tackle some of the Asia Pacific region’s most urgent coastal challenges. such as flooding, wave overtopping, coastline erosion, port downtime and climate driven operational risks. Across national coastal protection studies in Singapore, coastal masterplans and major port developments globally, he supports organizations in making high impact decisions on tidal gates, pumping systems, shoreline protection strategies and critical marine infrastructure. Whether he’s designing coastal protection measures for vulnerable shorelines, advising on inland drainage measures for coastal developments or planning ports for future environmental conditions, Jia Hann brings deep insight into how water, infrastructure and the environment interact, and how to adapt them for tomorrow’s conditions. Jia Hann brings over 12 years of coastal engineering, port consulting and climate resilience experience with expertise in breakwater design, port layout planning, berthing and mooring analysis, navigational design and nautical studies. His professional foundation is built on technical training and active industry leadership. He

Jia Hann Tan
2026-01-Cyber-Podcast
Podcast

Resilience by design: Safeguarding water utilities from cyber threats

According to Check Point Research and Reuters, cyberattacks on U.S. utilities in 2024 increased nearly 70% compared to the year before, leading to an average of 69 attacks every week. In 2025, the trend continued, in the U.S and globally. What can water utilities do to protect themselves from these digital threats? The OT environment at Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) is a success story as it protects one of the largest regional water and wastewater utilities in the U.S., servicing more than 20 counties and cities and 1.5 million people. Thanks to its signature program of embedded visibility, governance and consequence-driven planning, it can serve as a blueprint for water utilities globally.

Electricity pilon
Big Questions

How do we modernize power grids at scale?

Across the globe, power systems are being pushed to do more than ever before. Aging assets need replacement. Gigawatts of renewables must connect at speed. Regulators expect resilience, reliability and value all at once. Utilities are being asked to modernize entire networks while controlling costs and maintaining security of supply. Modernizing power grids isn’t about upgrading one substation at a time. It requires coordinated programs that bring engineering standards, digital workflows and delivery models together — across hundreds of assets and stakeholders — with consistency and certainty. With deep experience across alliance frameworks, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) delivery, and Owner’s Engineer roles, Prakash leads multi-year transmission and distribution (T&D) programs spanning grid reinforcement, asset replacement, High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) corridors, and digital substations. He has advised on regulated portfolios involving hundreds of substations and reinforcement assets, ensuring technical consistency and delivery discipline across countries and regulatory environments. A defining part of his approach is Jacobs’ Digital for Design & Build (D4D&B) operating model. Instead of designing substations, cables and protection systems in isolation, D4D&B connects them in a shared, data-centric delivery environment. That means fewer surprises in construction, faster approvals and more predictable outcomes for utilities delivering complex capital programs. Under Prakash’s leadership, teams use digital production methods to create integrated, build-ready models that accelerate approvals, reduce schedule risk and support repeatable delivery across large asset groups. Recently, his team supported a nationally critical program in the U.K. to reinforce key north-south power corridors and enable long-term energy

Prakash Dey
Aerial view of Water Treatment tank
Big Questions

How can water utilities navigate infrastructure funding in the face of uncertainty?

For water utilities across the U.S., the funding landscape continues to evolve. Traditional funding sources can change or become less reliable, creating uncertainty for water utilities working to deliver critical infrastructure improvements. For Tahne Corcutt, navigating that complexity is about more than securing funding — it’s enabling utilities to build more efficient and sustainable financial systems for capital improvements. As the leader of Jacobs’ Water Infrastructure Funding and Grants consulting practice, Tahne is a nationally recognized subject matter expert on the State Revolving Fund (SRF) and Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFIA) programs. Over the past 18 years, she has supported water projects in all 50 states, serving as a prime contractor for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water and advising clients across federal, state and local government. Her work has helped secure more than $1 billion in funding for critical water infrastructure — enabling communities to advance essential projects with confidence. Reimagining how water projects are financed Tahne is known for thinking beyond conventional financing models. With a background in policy and law, she interprets statutes and regulations in unique ways that unlock opportunity. She has led innovative water infrastructure financing pilots in 15 states, advancing watershed-based strategies and community-based public-private partnerships. These approaches include: Programmatic financing Conduit lending Sponsorship lending Green banking Credit enhancements Linked deposit programs These models have helped address water quality and public health challenges while aligning the needs of utilities and funding agencies. Her work includes the conceptualization of a comprehensive, multi-year funding

Tahne Corcutt
High-tech abstract network
Big Questions

How do you match project goals with the right visualization technology?

Some established visualization platforms are fast to deploy but offer limited flexibility and customization potential. Other solutions offer nearly endless flexibility but take time and funding to develop. Many organizations are gravitating toward platforms originally designed for gaming, because they help teams visualize assets and processes in a high engaging and realistic way. Identifying the best visualization platform for a project depends on many factors, including scope and vision, targeted use cases, timeline, budget — and deciding which of those is most important. Jim Kessler supports clients as they navigate these decisions. He empowers them to think critically about the issues and pain points they’re experiencing, leading them through a collaborative dialogue to surface priorities, document their vision, map out key requirements and identify what technologies are available or being developed. This approach establishes a foundation to build an impactful visual media solution that meets their current needs, as well as future capabilities and opportunities. As a child in the 1980s, Jim was fascinated by video games, art and science, spending time programming graphics and games on a trusty Commodore 64 home computer. Later, as an intern architect, he honed his skills using 2D and 3D design software and used his graduate thesis to explore how electronic design methodologies could revolutionize architectural design and construction practices. After joining Jacobs as a graduate architect early in his career, Jim quickly discovered that his strength was in providing visual media solutions for clients. He founded our visual media group soon after. Today

Jim Kessler
PFAS-Podcast-Graphic
Podcast

Navigating PFAS: Pioneering solutions for a healthier tomorrow

How are PFAS affecting your work and our world? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a large class of long-lasting, synthetic chemicals used extensively in industrial and household products. Many PFAS don’t degrade readily on their own, and some are highly mobile in the environment. They can be found worldwide in water, soil, air, plants, animals and even our bloodstreams. We’re still uncovering the full impact of these chemicals on the health of humans and our environment, but here’s what is clear: it’s a complex challenge at scale to remediate these so-called “forever” chemicals. Our guests are defining the solutions for clients and the industry: Sharon Minchak, former Global Solutions Director for Remediation and Regeneration at Jacobs, and Dr. Russell Ford, Global Director for Drinking Water & Reuse Solutions at Jacobs.

digital-twin-j.com-flatlay-header
Report

Create a Digital Twin that drives results

Download our paper to explore the three common types of building and infrastructure digital twins, their impact on business outcomes and a structured approach to digital twin planning that overcomes common challenges.

aerial town center
Big Questions

How do you regenerate a town center?

"It starts with one simple question: What makes this place this place? Before I talk about new infrastructure or shiny assets, I want to understand the town’s identity: its history, people and pride. When places are struggling, it’s easy to forget they’ve been vibrant before. But there’s always something worth celebrating — local artists, a craft tradition, a regional industry, a story people can rally around. When those elements are embraced, the project gains warmth, meaning and character. Then I look at how we bring life back. Not just for a quick visit, but so people want to stay longer. You need activity on the street at different times of day: a daytime economy and a nighttime economy." "Providing upskilling opportunities for the community is a critical part of that, especially in towns that have gone through industrial change. In Hartlepool, England, we backed an engineering academy, provided training for carers and explored ideas like building a production village to offer vital pre- and post-production support for film and television media. It means students and local people can build careers without leaving town. Safety matters, too. Empty properties and silent streets invite anti-social behavior. Well-lit, well-maintained public spaces provide a space for activities, plus there are opportunities for temporary uses like popup events, clubs or festivals. You still need the basics: transport connections, active travel links and a digital backbone that encourages influence businesses to invest. Even something as simple as better wayfinding, like QR codes that help people discover

Priscila Mauro
Aerial top view of circular sedimentation tanks in modern water treatment plant facility
Big Questions

How do you navigate the engineering, regulatory and operational demands of modern water infrastructure?

With 28 years of experience in wastewater treatment, conveyance design, water supply, biosolids and effluent reuse, Quitterie leads complex infrastructure programs that integrate environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and long-term operational performance. Based in Portland, Oregon, she brings a powerful combination of technical expertise and strategic leadership to every engagement — from planning biosolids reuse programs to managing half-billion-dollar treatment expansions. Her work consistently aligns infrastructure investment with regulatory certainty and system reliability. Collaboration defines her approach. She builds and leads high-performing multidisciplinary teams, guiding subconsultants, stakeholder engagement efforts and permitting negotiations across federal, state and local agencies. Her ability to navigate complexity while maintaining alignment keeps large programs moving forward through open communication and thoughtful organization. Quitterie’s experience spans municipal, industrial and agricultural systems across the western United States and South America. From feasibility studies and engineering design to construction management, Quitterie applies innovative thinking to solve complex client challenges and strengthen long-term outcomes. In Oregon, she played a central role in managing the City of Portland’s $500 million Secondary Treatment Expansion Program from planning through design and construction. The program met critical regulatory deadlines while positioning the city for sustained system performance. Across her portfolio, she has advanced capital improvements that enhance reliability, strengthen operations and maintenance strategies, and support biosolids land application, treated effluent discharge and natural treatment systems. Having lived and worked in France, Thailand, South America and the United States, Quitterie brings a global perspective to local infrastructure challenges. She understands how water systems operate within

Quitterie Cotten

  • Future Foundations

    Co-creating the world to come

    From developing climate resilience and transitioning to a low-carbon future, to modernizing and transforming infrastructure, governments and businesses face critical challenges. How they respond will define our future.

    As our clients navigate these challenges, we help them think differently – working together to pioneer tomorrow's infrastructure solutions and build the foundations for a prosperous, secure future. 

    Visit Future Foundations
    Future-Foundations