Twin Talks NC: A Smarter Approach to Resilient, Responsive Infrastructure

Across North Carolina, cities and towns are navigating growing pressures, from flooding and extreme weather to aging infrastructure, rapid growth, and rising costs.

Twin Talks North Carolina brings state, regional, and local policymakers together with practitioners, researchers, and technology partners for a practical, forward-looking discussion on how municipalities can move beyond reactive fixes toward smarter infrastructure systems. The focus is not just on assets, but on the planning, policies, empowerment, and emerging technologies that shape how infrastructure performs over time.

The evening will feature an hourlong panel discussion with experts in sustainable, resilient infrastructure, followed by an audience Q&A. A welcome and networking reception will precede the panel, and an informal discussion will follow; refreshments will be served at both.

The event also marks the official launch of Built to Endure, a new national policy paper developed by Duke University with Bentley Systems, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), AECOM, and Microsoft. The guide outlines how municipalities can mitigate the impact of natural hazards on infrastructure and communities by applying systems thinking, expanding the use of digital tools, improving policies and regulations, and empowering communities. An invitation-only workshop on Feb. 19 will build on the findings to shape a proposal for the co-design and development of a pilot project that will use digital tools and technologies in support of resilience planning within Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding communities.

The event is hosted by Duke University, in collaboration with Bentley Systems, AECOM, ASCE, Microsoft, and Accelerator for America. The Duke partners are the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, the Pratt School of Engineering, and Duke RESILE.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Duke University