< PreviousLastly, Ashby Village in Sanford, North Carolina, is a 600-lot development marking the start of a promising partnership with Matrix Construction Co. from South Carolina. Thanks to its successful progression and on-schedule performance, Matrix Construction has already proposed further collabora- tions, currently under negotiation. Through these projects, Wynn Site Development not only demonstrates its capacity for handling large-scale develop- ments but also its ability to foster lasting relationships with clients, setting a foundation for future success. Ashby Village Sanford, NC“The Skatepark in Downtown Raleigh stands out as a smaller yet equally impactful project. Initiated by the community and supported by one of our loyal clients, Stanley Martin, we proudly donated our services and time to bring this project to fruition. It demanded extensive concrete work and some demolition, culminating in a grand opening covered by local news. Our involvement was a privilege. At Wynn Site Devel- opment, every project, from large-scale residential develop- ments to community-centric skateparks, receives our utmost professionalism and commitment to customer satisfaction. Our approach to the dynamic field of site development, marked by practicality and attention to detail, sets us apart - we call this the Wynn difference.” Wynn Site Development is steadfastly advancing into the future, grounded in its four fundamental values encapsulated by the acronym DIRT: Dependability, Integrity, Responsive- ness, and Timeliness. Lee emphasizes the importance of these values as the company eyes expansion with a strategic approach. The blueprint for growth involves attracting new clients while bolstering the workforce. Lee notes significant strides in enhancing competitive edge and diversification through the introduction of in-house erosion control, mainte- nance services, and the acquisition of a novel full-depth rec- lamation machine, or cement stabilization machine, sparking success in specialized sectors. Moreover, Wynn is venturing into property development, taking raw land through to fully developed lots ready for builders, further illustrating the dynamic growth strategy. However, expansion is mindful, with an acknowledgment of the challenges, particularly in recruiting skilled labor. Michael underscores the ethos of "controlled growth," prioritizing managed, sustainable expansion over rapid, unchecked growth. This philosophy ensures that Wynn Site Develop- ment can scale effectively, maintaining its commitment to excellence and delivering unparalleled service to both new and existing clients. In essence, Wynn's approach is about transforming land with precision and care, upholding their values—the Wynn way. Skatepark Raleigh, NC “Wynn’s approach is about transforming land with precision and care, upholding their values—the Wynn way.” | 61 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWRITTEN BY DAVID O’NEILL I nfrastructure is big business. Notwithstanding the $1.2 trillion that was approved by the U.S. last year, it has always been a sector that involves large figures. Recent statistics show that in 2023, the North American market size of infra- structure construction was in the region of $371 billion with this figure expected to rise to over $500 billion by 2025. Clearly, when it comes to building and maintaining our roads, pipes and cables, the future is looking bright. However, there are gaps in this network. While much money is spent developing infrastructure networks across North America that are fit for purpose, nothing is ever truly perfect. Rail, road and pedestrian networks are being overhauled through massive tranches of public funding giving residents services that meet the needs of modern society. However, elements of our communities can be left isolated, unable to access the services required for independent living. Infrastructure is supposed to be the great leveller. It is the foundation upon which every community can thrive and develop. With a well-run and fully equipped infrastructure network, every citizen has an equal chance at building a suc- cessful life. Unfortunately, barriers to access remain. The full potential of infrastructure projects is often left unrealized. In the absence of minority groups and marginalized communities in the decision making process, inequalities can be exasperated by the design and management of infrastructure networks. Take travel as an example. As anyone who has visited a foreign city can attest to, navigating a space can be challenging. For those with sight loss or impaired vision, these challenges can be insurmountable. There are, however, growing numbers of organizations, companies and individuals that are advocating for these groups by designing inclusive technology. Ambitious inclusive infrastructure is being designed with the goal of allowing all users to maximize their participation and engagement in the world around them. A global business consultant explains how infrastructure planners can unintentionally exclude people through design flaws. “Underdeveloped and gen- der-blind infrastructure often hinders women and girls from accessing basic services to support their upward social mobility and reduce gender inequality. Infrastructure can also discriminate based on age – in many areas, barriers to physical access prevent the very young and the elderly from benefiting from infrastructure. Race, ethnicity, caste, and other social cate- gories may exclude certain groups from the benefits of developments, especially if their communities are based in informal settings. Moreover, disability inclusion is not consistently and effectively embedded within the infrastructure sector, and as a concept is still not com- prehensively understood in many low-income countries.” | 62 JUNE 2024| 63 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONThis need to create more inclusively-minded infrastructure networks is not merely a financial or local consideration. Many international conventions, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) stipulate access to infrastruc- ture as a key component. Additionally, the G20 has had a long-standing focus on social inclusion and how it links to the design of quality infrastructure networks. NaviLens is a tech company based in Murcia, Spain. It has developed an infrastructure collaborating app that uses haptic and audio supports to assist navigators to safely make their journeys. The app detects images —similar to QR codes— without using GPS or requiring access to wifi or bluetooth. NaviLens explains that these codes can be read almost instantaneously and at a great distance, making it ideal for navigating. This technology is highly efficient and inclusive in many ways. It is the fastest such reader avail- able and can scan multiple tags simultaneously, making it highly communicable to the end user. TransLink, the Metro operator in Vancouver recently trialled the technology to great success. According to Thor Diakow, spokesperson for TransLink, the trial was a high priority. “Despite it being not a huge percentage of our ridership, it’s very important to make sure that we provide accessibility for people experi- encing partial or full sight loss.” NaviLens has also launched its colourful codes on the New York Metro. This bustling rail network could potentially be an impossible task for a person with a visual impairment. However, by accessing one of over one hundred codes, users can be more independent in unknown spaces, can be guided indoors through an innovative Augmented Reality experience without the need for GPS or bluetooth and receive real-time train arrival information. The company has not stopped at transport, either. Over thirty household shopping brands including Gillette, Pantene, Olay and Kellogg’s are now using NaviLens codes to assist shoppers in finding the necessary products. Most recently, Coca-Cola rolled out NaviLens codes across its Christmas can multipacks, which can be scanned from distances of up to four metres to help blind and partially sighted consumers. “NaviLens has developed an in- frastructure collaborating app that uses haptic and audio sup- ports to assist navigators to safely make their journeys.” Photo by NaviLens Photo by NaviLens | 64 JUNE 2024AT2030 is an organization that seeks to improve access to Assistive Technology (AT). Led by Global Disability Innovation Hub and funded by UK Aid, is hosted a panel discussion at Cop28 titled ‘Inclusive Infrastructure, Disability and Climate Change: what's needed to leave no one behind.’ According to those at AT2030, the purpose of the discussion is manifold. “For disadvantaged groups, the accessibility of the built envi- ronment, infrastructure and cities is vital to ensure full partic- ipation in daily life. Evidence shows that persons with disabil- ities are worse impacted by the effects of the climate crisis but remain excluded from urban development processes and climate action. Organizations around the world are already working to bridge this gap, and this event will share what’s being done and what’s next, outlining priority actions for dis- ability-inclusive climate infrastructure and looking at how and why people do not have equitable experiences of the world around them.” Around the world, barriers to access and inclusion are an unfortunate aspect of life. While much is being done to overcome these challenges, there is much work to be done. For many individuals, navigation, accessing community resources and living their daily lives is severely impacted by the way our infrastructure networks are planned and built. A recent survey by Infrastructure & Cities for Economic Development (ICED) demonstrated just how vital this is. “Well planned infrastructure and inclusive urban services are fundamental to unlocking the potential of people with dis- abilities. Currently, Disability Inclusion (DI) is not consistently addressed across infrastructure programming and policy dialogue. It is not always clear to DFID staff or partners what DI means in relation to infrastructure and growth, and the actions they might take to achieve it. This is coupled with a perception that addressing disability in infrastructure pro- gramming is prohibitively expensive and often unaffordable within project or programme budgets.” | 65 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONSUPPORTED BY 12 M-Roc BLASTEK ENGINEERING GROUP FX LOGISTICS GOLDIE MOHR LTD. HARDROCK - VERTEX HENDRY WARREN LLP MANN LAWYERS PETRELA WINTER & ASSOCIATES 20 Magest Building Systems AGWAY METALS INC. PROFAST 30 AMG Demolition AVALON RISK LLC FORTE CONSTRUCTION CORP. GRAMERCY GROUP, INC. LOCAL 79 PRISMATIC DEVELOPMENT RJ INDUSTRIES 44 NSG Life Safety & Norel Service AXIS COMMUNICATIONS56 Wynn Site Development CAROLINA SUNROCK DUNSTON TRUCKING FORTILINE WATER WORKS GREGORY POOLE INSURANCE DOCTOR | 67 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONAN APEIRON MEDIA INC. PUBLICATION APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONNext >