• Unum Necessarium
• Selection Results
• About IAMES

In 1991, the International Association of Macro Engineering Societies (IAMES) envisaged establishing priorities for macro-engineering projects proposed by various entities around the world. During the next two years, IAMES worked with the National Academy of Engineering, NASA, and other United States government agencies to explore the future structure and scope of global macro-engineering activity. By 1993, according to Dr. John W. Landis, president of IAMES, worldwide interest in macro projects had become so great that compiling a master list of these projects (a job initially tackled by The American Society of Macro Engineering) was assumed by IAMES. It gathered data on 206 macro projects, obtaining information from approximately 50 sources.

In 2000, stimulated by the vision of Dr. Frank P. Davidson, Honorary Chairman of IAMES, a 40-member advisory group was formed to rank the macro projects on the master list, and in 2003, IAMES began to assign near-term priorities to these projects. IAMES eventually selected 17 projects that it believed would create the most benefit if initiated early. The list was submitted to the advisory group for a formal vote in 2004. The balloting results were reported on May 27, 2005 to the IAMES membership. With IAMES' permission, we are proud to present these results to you, and we invite your participation in a further evaluation.