Site and Scene

Mike Liggett and Scott Harrigan

At Site and Scene, co-hosts Mike Liggett and Scott Harrigan feature the innovators, disruptors, and changemakers using reality capture technology to drive real impact. These are the people who saw a problem, challenged the status quo, and took action—whether restoring ecosystems, improving resilience, or transforming infrastructure. They bring a deep sense of responsibility and stewardship to their work, leveraging technologies like drones, laser scanning, GIS, and mapping to create meaningful change. More than just experts, they are storytellers—sharing their journeys and the “why” behind their work. Our mission is to amplify their voices, educate, and inspire others to push boundaries and take action.

  1. What Lies Beneath with Nick Hearn - The pressing issue of accurately documenting underground infrastructure

    06/17/2025

    What Lies Beneath with Nick Hearn - The pressing issue of accurately documenting underground infrastructure

    Dive deep into the unseen world beneath our feet in the latest episode of Sight Scene! We're joined by Nick Hearn, Managing Director of Reveal, a global technology company that's revolutionizing how we understand and manage underground infrastructure data. Key takeaways from this insightful conversation: The Hidden Risks: Discover the immense financial and human costs associated with unknown or inaccurately mapped underground utilities. Did you know a utility is struck every 60 seconds in the US during projects? Innovation from Isolation: Learn how New Zealand's unique geography and culture of innovation have made it a hub for geospatial technology, leading to solutions for critical infrastructure challenges. The Problem with "As-Builts": We discuss why traditional "as-built" drawings are often unreliable (sometimes only 25% geospatially accurate!) and the critical need for better data capture. Reveal's Game-Changing Approach: Nick explains how Reveal is transforming underground mapping by combining various data sources like lidar, photogrammetry, and ground-penetrating radar with AI to create a "unified utility model" – a 3D digital twin of what lies beneath. Future of Infrastructure: The conversation highlights the shift towards proactive risk management in pre-design phases, exemplified by partnerships like Reveal's work with "Before You Dig Australia," which achieved a 10x improvement in digitizing existing records. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in construction, engineering, urban planning, or interested in how technology is making our cities safer and more resilient! Tune in now and enjoy the episode!

    1h 25m
  2. Democratizing Geospatial Data for Environmental Impact With Paul Mead of GeoNadir

    05/22/2025

    Democratizing Geospatial Data for Environmental Impact With Paul Mead of GeoNadir

    Prepare to dive deep into the evolving world of geospatial technology with Paul Mead of GeoNadir. Paul offers a unique perspective on geospatial innovation, particularly from an environmental standpoint, shaped by Australia's expansive and diverse geography. In this episode, we delve into: * **GeoNadir's Approach:** Discover how GeoNadir is simplifying access to drone and satellite data, streamlining the process of data management, analysis, and sharing for improved decision-making. Paul highlights that the environment is not merely a sector but the "stage on which everything else happens," emphasizing the crucial interaction between developed and natural landscapes. * **Collaborative Mapping:** Learn about GeoNadir's strength in "collaborative mapping," enabling effortless sharing and real-time teamwork on large datasets in the cloud – as simple as sharing a Google Doc. * **The Evolution of GIS (GeoAI):** Paul discusses the promising future of conversational AI for geospatial data, where users can interact with models for faster insights, integrate drone and satellite data for enhanced accuracy, and even receive suggestions on where to acquire new data. * **Fostering Future Talent:** Explore the impactful "She Maps" program, co-founded by Dr. Karen Joyce, which utilizes micro-drones to engage thousands of students globally in geospatial science, building confidence and connecting them with industry professionals. This insightful discussion offers a deeper understanding of geospatial technology and its expanding role in environmental stewardship and education. #Geospatial #GIS #Drones #SatelliteData #EnvironmentalScience #Innovation #GeoNadir #SheMaps #AI #TechPodcast #SiteAndScene #RemoteSensing #STEMEducation #PropTech #ConstructionTech

    1h 13m
  3. S1E10 - Joe Heaney on Environmental Engineering, GIS, and Mentorship

    04/23/2025

    S1E10 - Joe Heaney on Environmental Engineering, GIS, and Mentorship

    On the latest episode of Sight and Scene, we sat down with Joe Heaney, PE and Principal at Walden Environmental Engineering. Joe’s path through the engineering disciplines to founding Walden in 1995 is a case study in integrity-driven innovation and adaptability. We explore: The evolution of environmental engineering—spanning water, wastewater, hazardous waste, and permitting—and the regulatory frameworks shaping the industry. How Walden, a New York based firm, was ahead of its time in adopting GIS and 3D data integration to improve environmental data management, asset tracking, and infrastructure planning. The overlooked potential of reality capture for underground utilities, and how shrinking costs may soon make 3D as-builts an industry standard. The vital role of mentorship, practical experience, and ethics in shaping the next generation of engineers. Why Joe believes stewardship, not short-term gains, should drive infrastructure investment. Joe’s insights underscore the power of curiosity, leadership, and long-term thinking in solving today’s environmental challenges. This is particularly impactful to younger listeners who are considering an engineering path for their career. 🎧 Listen now and get inspired to rethink the role of technology, education, and ethics in shaping a more resilient built world. #EnvironmentalEngineering #GIS #RealityCapture #Infrastructure #Mentorship #EngineeringLeadership #Sustainability #AEC #SightAndScene

    1h 36m

About

At Site and Scene, co-hosts Mike Liggett and Scott Harrigan feature the innovators, disruptors, and changemakers using reality capture technology to drive real impact. These are the people who saw a problem, challenged the status quo, and took action—whether restoring ecosystems, improving resilience, or transforming infrastructure. They bring a deep sense of responsibility and stewardship to their work, leveraging technologies like drones, laser scanning, GIS, and mapping to create meaningful change. More than just experts, they are storytellers—sharing their journeys and the “why” behind their work. Our mission is to amplify their voices, educate, and inspire others to push boundaries and take action.