DEC is the unit of FEUP responsible for the education, scientific research, technological development, and dissemination and enrichment of research results and the provision of services related to Civil Engineering. Civil Engineering involves the conception, planning, design, construction and maintenance of the built environment. Through Civil Engineering we transform and adapt nature, we design and build cities/populations, transport networks, structures for energy production, water supply and sanitation networks, river and maritime protection structures, thus contributing to promoting the well-being of global society and its sustainable development. DEC is located in the G and H buildings of FEUP and it's organised in several subdivisions: Buildings, Construction Materials, Structures, Geotechnics, Hydraulics, Water Resources and Environment, Mathematics, Spatial Planning and Environment and Transport Infrastructures. It also has 13 Laboratories and several research units.