Towards a more inclusive design

Architecture and urban planning with a gender perspective aim to build inclusive and egalitarian spaces, taking into consideration the diversity of the people who use public space and focusing on the tasks or needs traditionally linked to women.

“Our ultimate goal is achieving a 100% accesible infrastructures for a 100% of the users” Antonio Sancho, Building project manager

Both disciplines are envisaged as a service to society. Thus, its purpose is to achieve that the needs of the different social groups are taken into account when planning urban space, housing and environmental quality. Ineco, which integrates these objectives in the company’s CSR, has promoted the development of a team of specialists to apply the concepts of gender architecture in the projects that require it, in addition to integrating the knowledge and promote collaboration with other disciplines.

The team’s role is to safeguard all of the data assets and technological resources belonging to the company’s clients and partners. It is responsible for protecting the ICT infrastructure and everything related to it, with a particular focus on information security. The team’s activities are 360º in scope, covering a range of areas from physical media, software and data to the procedures and regulations that apply to them.

“Internet is a hostile environment. We work to make cyberspace safer and more trustworthy” Esteban Dauksis Ortolá, Cyber-Security manager

Digitalisation is prompting an increase in the risk of cyber-attack. In 2019, transport was among the strategic sectors most affected by cyber-threats, accounting for 37% of all attacks on critical infrastructure. For this reason, one of the missions of this multidisciplinary team is to work on different fronts in sectors and systems that provide support to railway and air transport networks, developing methodologies, strategies and internal policies (including training and awareness).

Due to their extensive experience, Ineco’s cyber-security experts are able to adopt measures and draw up action plans to remain a step ahead and ensure maximum preparedness for any incidents that may affect these networks, the satellite navigation systems, or other essential services.

Allies against noise

Their mission is to predict and assess the effects of noise emissions generated by transport infrastructures on the human population or the natural environment, and to propose measures to minimise its influence. Ineco’s multidisciplinary team is made up of engineers (industrial, telecommunications, materials), graduates (environmental sciences, geography, biology) and specialists in geographic information systems and BIM. This unit of experts has more than 15 years of international experience carrying out studies related to noise: strategic noise maps, action plans, the development of acoustic easements, acoustic analysis in environmental projects and procedures, noise reduction projects, as well as advising public administrations.

“Our ultimate goal is to make transport infrastructure compatible with human activity” Concepción Garcés, industrial engineer and Ruth Ballesteros, graduate in Biology

Ineco is currently committed to consolidating its leadership in this area through internal programmes that serve to reinforce its position and image as a leader in the field of environmental acoustics.

Awards to keep the ball rolling

Recently elected Councillor Representative of Young Members of the Professional Association of Civil Engineers (CICCP), Juan Antonio Martínez has worked at Ineco since 2015, holds a Master’s Degree in BIM Management for Civil Engineering, Infrastructures and GIS, and is a Railways Specialist for the Madrid Branch of the CICCP and Adif. In 2018, he was the winner of the competition Engineering in 200 seconds, organised by the Association of Civil Engineers and the CICCP, which also recognised his contribution to increasing awareness of engineering.

“It’s really important to spread information and make the whole world aware of our activities as civil engineers across a wide range of areas” Juan Antonio Martínez Ortega, civil engineer at Ineco

For the company, this award follows others received for projects related to roads development such as EuroTAP in 2004 and 2006, or the more recent Ponle Freno 2019 and Esri 2020. Roads Projects Department, with a team of 180 people, is involved in some of the most important projects in Spain and supports the General Directorate of Roads of the MITMA (Ministry of Public Works and Transport) in different contracts, not to mention the 20 specialists from the Department team working in Mexico, Costa Rica and Latvia.

When the goal is your well-being

The health crisis has tested the entire company, especially those responsible for health and safety, who have had to ensure that workplaces and work-related travel are COVID-safe, putting appropriate measures in place wherever Ineco operates. To prevent the infection and the spread of SARS-CoV-2, escalation and de-escalation scenarios have been established in each country and, above all, for different client needs.

“The health crisis is forcing us to adapt continuously to the new reality in each of the countries in which we operate” Luis Janeiro, Deputy Director of Administration, Labour Relations and Safety at Ineco

The team is made up of experts in occupational health and safety, as it relates to Safety at Work, Industrial Hygiene, Ergonomics and Psycho-Sociology and Occupational Health. Over these last few months the team has implemented a number of workplace protocols and measures that, thanks to the cooperation of all staff, have been successful in keeping the level of the disease below 2.4% of the workforce.

To manage the return to in-person work, Ineco has developed a strategic consulting solution based on technology and data exploitation, through BIM tools, to define safety distances in workstations, common areas or traffic areas. GIS is also being used to monitor movements in real time, among others.

100% connected

For more than two decades, Ineco has been strengthening this area, which currently has 420 virtual servers, 44 physical servers and more than 2.5 PB (petabytes) of storage capacity, with more than 1,600 GHz of processing and a management system focused on responding to user needs.

The ICT department has revolutionised the procedures for sending information within the company. Its employees stay connected using a wide range of tools aimed at optimising productivity: project management, personal area, online courses and other collaborative work systems.

COVID-19 has transformed the work station; we have gone from a where to a when (Juan Manuel Hortalá)

Ineco’s presence on all five continents is only possible thanks to information technology: distance is no longer a barrier to communication and the development of activities between people located in remote physical spaces. In addition, company users, shareholders and customers demand a high degree of confidentiality. The ICT team strives for security in the transmission, access and processing of information, ensuring communications and blocking threats. Meeting the needs of each of our customers in terms of security, which means covering a wide range of solutions and policies.

“At Ineco, we take the fight against climate change very seriously”

1 How does Ineco contribute to the fight against climate change?

IRENE: From a dual perspective: internally, with projects like the mobility plan, the Awards and Environment Week, and externally, through our work for Adif or Aena, for example.

JUAN: I think the company takes it very seriously. The GIT, which was set up by the sub-directorate for Economy, Planning and the Environment to suggest and develop ideas that Ineco can put into action quickly and practically, is proof of that.

2 What projects is the GIT involved with?

I: A total of 14 projects have been identified, half of them deal with internal working improvements, and the others propose new lines of business.

J: The proposals include methodological improvements to air and noise pollution, as well as more innovative ideas like water footprint calculation.

3 And your personal contributions?

I: There needs to be a global push for improvement, but that starts with small individual gestures like reducing your energy consumption and avoiding single-use plastics or opting for sustainable modes of transport. Although it’s not always easy… Even I still struggle to decide whether to put a paper napkin in the “organic” or “paper and cardboard” bin!

J: (Laughter). If they’ve been used… organic! We have to understand that we can’t continue to poison the very thing that sustains us, our planet. We need to make vital lifestyle changes that conserve water and energy and generate less waste.

Expert environmental consultants

Irene Donaire is an industrial engineer with more than 10 years of experience working in Environmental and Land management for Ineco. The last five years have seen her take the lead role in Aena’s Energy Efficiency and Savings Plan, the Sustainability Management Plan for Dammam airport in Saudi Arabia and, she’s currently in charge of Adif’s Environmental Sustainability Plan.

Juan del Campo is a graduate in Environmental Sciences who has also been with the company for more than a decade. During that time, he’s undertaken projects on environmental integration, water planning, socio-environmental integration, waste management and environmental site management. He’s also a university lecturer.

Both bring their experience to the Technology Intelligence Group, through which they hope to help Ineco tackle the climate emergency with “responsive and practical” initiatives.

IDEAS “MADE IN INECO”. In the photo, some of the contributors to the Technology Intelligence Group. / PHOTO_ELVIRA VILA (INECO)

“2019 HAS BEEN A RECORD YEAR FOR EMBLEMATIC PROJECTS”

1 If a partner drops out a week before submitting a bid, do you panic?

Not really. We usually lead bids, so we can find compatible partners quickly thanks to our capacity and commercial knowledge.

2 Can a timely withdrawal be a victory?

Yes, because it enables Ineco to avoid bigger problems such as embarking on projects that are complicated in terms of financing or deadlines. It’s always a well-considered and consensual decision in the company.

3 Last year was notable for its extensive international activity. What was the ratio?

The number of tenders has more or less stayed the same in recent years, but apart from the Haramain contract in 2011, we’ve increased in terms of emblematic projects abroad. In this sense, it was a record year.

4 Recent tenders include Australia, Latvia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Which of these are you most proud of?

What makes us most proud is the ability to reach different continents with lots of projects. Australia was particularly satisfying because it involved breaking into a new country with the implementation of the highly advanced ERTMS system.

5 Which one caused you to lose the most sleep?

Two particularly stand out for giving me sleepless nights: the first was a project we won, HS2 in the UK, and the other, one we lost, Ho Chi Minh Airport in Vietnam. That said though, I usually sleep well knowing that the team makes every effort possible –sometimes late into the night– on all bids.

6 What would you say to young professionals to encourage them to work in this field?

That it is a very interesting area for acquiring knowledge across many different disciplines and in a very short period of time.

We have one of the best infrastructure networks in the world

1 Would you mind listing all of the projects that you’re working on?

It’d be difficult to list them all. We’re currently providing works management, environmental management and technical assistance services throughout the country on high-speed, road and airport projects. Abroad, we are present in seven countries, some with major projects, such as the recently opened Paseo del Bajo in Buenos Aires and the Jorge Chávez airport, in Lima.

2 Do you think people outside the sector understand what’s involved in managing infrastructure?

Citizens increasingly value the ability to travel in their daily lives and are aware that we have one of the best infrastructure networks in the world thanks to Spanish engineering and construction companies that are among the best in the world. However, they may not be quite so aware of the extremely complex geography that we have in the peninsula.

3 Have you had any jobs that have made you lose sleep?

More than one; it goes along with the works process. The ones who have to bear the brunt, though, are the members of the technical teams who, with their dedication and commitment, take on great responsibility with very demanding deadlines and works that often pose major engineering challenges.

4 And what’s the best part of your job?

The greatest satisfaction for me is being able to be part of a great team of technicians from whom there is always so much to learn, in addition to helping and assisting them in their work by addressing their concerns and giving them specialized support and appropriate training.

5 Is there equality in your area?

There is equality, but the sector is still dominated by men. We’ve had women with extensive experience in works, top qualifications and positions of maximum responsibility in management and supervision of works for many years.

“If we all join forces, we can really change things”

1 How many institutions and NGOs has Ineco collaborated with in the last decade?

More than 100, without a doubt. But the important thing isn’t quantity; it’s the quality of the projects obtained thanks to the involvement of the company and employees. The social value generated by this joint work is incredible.

2 Is it difficult to persuade senior executives to get involved in CSR projects?

Not at Ineco. When faced with a sound project that is aligned with our strategy and requirements, senior management has always supported these initiatives. They have always been aware of the benefits they represent for any company.  In addition, Ineco, as a state-owned company, has to set an example.

3 WHICH ARE MORE CONVINCING, RATIONAL OR EMOTIONAL ARGUMENTS?

Decisions are made by people, based on that balanced combination of emotion and rationality that we all have to a greater or lesser extent. In order to persuade, it is essential to generate trust, a feeling that is hard to create if one isn’t scrupulous in their work.

4 How do you reconcile the different functions you perform for the company?

The truth is that they fit together perfectly. My work in the president’s office and management committee enriches the vision to define a CSR strategy that is aligned with Ineco’s general strategy.

5 Is money important?

I would be lying if I said no. Yes, it is important, but it is not the sine qua non. There are great examples in which other elements such as institutional partnerships, personal effort, creativity and passion have replaced the scarcity of resources with extraordinary results, especially with regard to institutional relations and CSR.

6 What’s your most exciting current project?

Giving the final push to Ineco’s commitment to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and increasing awareness of it. If we all join forces, we can really change things.