Celebrating 50 Years

On August 1, 1960, Urban's President, Robert C. Olsen, PE, announced the formation of Urban Engineers, Inc. Mr. Olson, and his six-person company, set up their business in a row house at 1619 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia.

On August 1, 2010, Urban’s President, Edward M. D’Alba, PE, announced the celebration of Urban’s 50^th Anniversary and that the firm was quickly approaching 500 people. The announcement was made from Urban's 530 Walnut Street corporate office in Philadelphia, for the firm's 10-office, 7-state operation.

Urban is an employee-owned, multidisciplinary planning, design, construction services, and environmental consulting firm.  Urban provides services for ports, transit, buildings, bridges, highways, railroads, and airports.  The firm has participated in the design and construction management of scores of landmark projects throughout its 50 years of service and has won more than 60 awards for engineering excellence since 2000.  In May of 2000, Urban became one of the first engineering firms in the US to achieve ISO certification.  Urban now holds ISO 9001:2008 certification, the gold standard for quality performance.

Anniversary activities, which began earlier this year and are planned to continue through 2010, include:

• E-Mail Blasts – Periodic e-mail articles highlighting Urban’s 50 years of service are being sent to family, friends, clients, and teaming partners.  More than just project profiles, these articles attempt to capture the “story” behind some of Urban’s “classic” projects.  Photos and video highlight the folks who helped make these projects a success.

• Posters – Each Urban office has on display 28” x 36” easel displays of the articles.  This provides staff and visitors another opportunity to be exposed to the celebration.
• 
  Interviews –Urban staff are being interviewed and videotaped about past projects, colleagues, and their overall Urban experience.  The interviews are incorporated into Video Wrap-ups that may be seen on Urban’s YouTube Channel.

• Memorabilia – Urban memorabilia (photos, project designs, studies, renderings, proposals, marketing collateral, and general engineering material) is being collected from the past.

• More to come – Activities, yet to be announced, will continue through the end of the year.