Expertise

Vela VKE prides itself in being involved in many aspects of project sustainability.  Our involvement ranges from being involved with and assisting clients to understand sustainability issues on their projects through to becoming involved in the development and implementation of alternative energy solutions.

Vela VKE recognizes that project sustainability can take on many forms not least of which is re-thinking conventional wisdom and improving creativity on projects. 

Furthermore, it is recognized that the implementation of sustainable projects should not necessarily increase costs or lower living standards but can often result in equal or lower costs over the long term.

Vela VKE also recognizes that sustainability involves wide ranging thinking and impacts on many issues not directly associated with the project such as access to public transport, non-motorised transport, food sustainability and associated reduced transport, as well as social equity and access to opportunities.

Vela VKE is in the process of improving the sustainability of its own office accommodation and has carried out various activities such as retro-fitting more energy efficient lighting and waste recycling to improve it internal contribution to reducing consumption and waste.

 Arthur Taute is a Director of Vela VKE and is also the Managing Director of VKE International.  He has 34 years of experience in a variety of disciplines including transportation, roads, railway and airport projects, information management systems, private finance initiatives and public and private partnerships.

His experience ranges from carrying out feasibility studies and economic and financial evaluations through to project management and organisational management.  He often acts as the overall co-ordinator and specialist advisor on projects and also provides specialist input to many clients in order to refine project options and strategies.

He is the author of numerous publications and has been involved delivering papers and lecturing at several courses and conferences on topics ranging from pavement rehabilitation through to the development of engineering skills and urban sustainability.  All of these papers being aimed at the overall improvement of engineering in South Africa and Africa and the development of its peoples.

Arthur serves on the FIDIC sustainability committee and has read several papers on sustainability issues at FIDIC and other consulting engineering conferences.  Arthur is also actively involved in trying to improve broad-based sustainability in South Africa, being involved in developments related to non-motorised transport, public transport and alternative energy.  He is familiar with all aspects of the UN Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and related carbon credits.  He maintains close liaison with Vela VKE’s affiliated firm in Angola, Engeang, which carries out extensive hydro electric work in Angola and has considerable wind energy expertise.

Email :  tautea@velavke.co.za