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"A New Era": The Limits of Engineering Expertise in a Post-9/11 World

In early 2002, just months after the collapse of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, Henry Petroski declared that the destruction of the towers "signaled the beginning of a new era in the planning, design, construction, and use of skyscrapers." Building professionals and their work have surely been affected by the events of that day. Ironically, one lesson reinforced by the fall of the towers is that engineers cannot control the entirety of any engineering project. This reality raises questions about professional responsibility as it relates to risk, vulnerability, and uncertainty. This paper discusses the implications of this new era for engineering practice and education.