A Q&A Series on What’s to Come in the AEC Profession
Featuring Lisa Nisenson, Vice President, New Mobility and Connected Communities
Welcome to the inaugural release of From Vision to Reality – an exciting new series where we’ll feature thought leaders from across WGI’s multi-disciplinary firm, offering unique insights into the trends, challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping the future of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) profession.
We kick off with a spotlight on Lisa Nisenson, WGI’s Vice President of New Mobility & Connected Communities. With over 30 years of experience spanning the public and private sectors, Lisa is a respected urban designer with a knack for blending timeless community design with forward-thinking innovation. Her passion lies in revolutionizing planning processes through advanced technologies and tools to meet the ever-evolving challenges of modern communities.
In this Q&A, Lisa highlights WGI’s commitment to innovation, emphasizing infrastructure funding, data-driven planning, and autonomous transit to help shape the future of mobility and urban development.
1. What is your outlook on the current state of the AEC profession, particularly regarding infrastructure funding?
A key area to monitor is infrastructure funding.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has provided state and local governments with unprecedented financial resources. With an update to the law slated for 2026, Congressional leaders are already signaling potential new directions in the scope and focus of transportation and infrastructure funding.
2. What changes do you see in your discipline, and how do these changes present new challenges or opportunities?
Technology is blurring the lines between planning and operations. Traditionally, consultants produce a plan that lists priority actions, which the client then implements – whether it’s a list of priority projects or policy changes.
However, real-time data feeds now enable cities to monitor systems constantly and take action in real-time, rather than waiting for the next plan update. This shift offers opportunities for more responsive decision-making but also presents challenges in adapting workflows and integrating new technologies.
3. What unique opportunities does your division anticipate in 2025?
Our work for the American Planning Association on Complete Streets will be published in 2025.
In updating their resources, we documented “tried and true” practices, “lessons learned,” and promising innovations in planning and technology. This provides a unique opportunity to help planners play a key role in advancing multi-modal and multi-use infrastructure, positioning our division at the forefront of planning innovation.
4. How does collaboration across WGI’s multidisciplinary teams enhance your division’s ability to tackle industry challenges?
Our division is working closely with our Geospatial experts to reinvent planning at the local level. By leveraging our ability to produce digital 3-D products, we can create highly detailed and accurate maps and digital twins.
This collaboration enhances our ability to address industry challenges by enabling realistic base maps and scenarios that allow the public to easily visualize design options. Clients have successfully used these tools for sidewalk inventories, ADA compliance, tree canopy coverage, and asset management, showcasing the power of cross-disciplinary teamwork.
5. How is WGI leveraging innovation to maintain its leadership position in the AEC profession?
WGI is at the forefront of innovation in autonomous transit, which includes some of our highest-profile work. Our work includes stakeholder engagement, infrastructure design, and architecture for a new type of “car barn” to store and maintain electric and autonomous transit vehicles.
With the upcoming production of mid-sized shuttles in the U.S., we are helping to usher in the next generation of circulators for trips under six miles. These systems address mobility, operational efficiency, and congestion challenges in a single solution, demonstrating WGI’s commitment to pioneering advancements that shape the future of transportation and infrastructure.
6. What lessons from recent projects will guide your approach in 2025?
With mobility, we’ve introduced performance-based planning frameworks to align goals, success metrics, and phased implementation. A key application has been in parking occupancy, where the industry standard of 85% ensures assets are well-utilized while leaving spaces available for new arrivals.
Cities achieve this balance through combinations of time limits, pricing, and wayfinding. These lessons reinforce the importance of data-driven strategies and adaptable solutions, which will be central to our approach in 2025.
Join the Conversation
Contact our team to dive deeper into Lisa’s outlook on New Mobility and Connected Communities and discover how WGI’s multidisciplinary expertise can help your community or organization thrive in the face of emerging trends and challenges.
Plus, stay tuned for more insights from leaders and innovators across WGI, as we continue to explore the trends shaping the AEC profession in future editions of our From Vision to Reality – Q&A Series!