California 501(c)(3) Nonprofit · EIN 39-2094794
Center for Optimized and Sustainable Infrastructure
Catalyzing cost-effective, resilient infrastructure that delivers environmental, climate, societal, and economic benefits for communities.
Why COSI?
We are in an unprecedented period of converging threats: climate change, aging infrastructure, societal inequity, and economic strain. Billions of dollars in damage have already been recorded, and the rate is accelerating. COSI exists to bridge the gap between science and sustainable policy, pivoting toward cost-effective, multi-benefit implementation.
The Pressure
Four converging stressors on California’s infrastructure.
Physical & Climate Threats
Wildfire, flood, seismic risk, sea-level rise, and extreme heat demand proactive infrastructure adaptation.
Governance Gaps
Agency silos, slow permitting, and misaligned procurement block effective infrastructure delivery.
Economic Stressors
Aging systems and underinvestment create compounding economic risk for municipalities and communities.
Societal Equity
Underserved communities bear disproportionate infrastructure burden. COSI centers equity in every KPI.
Our Response
Three instruments, working together.
Applied Research & KPIs
Measurable indicators across Physical, Institutional, Economic, and Societal pillars, built to be valued, financed, and tracked.
AI & Data Science
AI and data science fill critical data gaps, model threat scenarios, and surface decisions infrastructure agencies can act on.
Cal–Asia Partnerships
Bilateral pilot projects between California and Asia enable knowledge exchange and scalable model testing across contexts.
Framework · COSI Synthesis · 2026
“The current state of aging infrastructure, coupled with immediate threats associated with climate resilience, the environment, societal issues, and the economy provide an opportunity to demonstrate true value in rebuilding.”
Multi-Hazard Mitigation
Multi-Benefit Opportunity
COSI
Goal
Goal
Multi-Hazard Mitigation
Multi-Benefit Opportunity
COSI
Sources: ASCE Report Card for California’s Infrastructure (2025) · National Institute of Building Sciences, Building for Tomorrow: Integrating Lifeline Infrastructure · COSI multi-benefit synthesis.
Get Involved
COSI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working at the intersection of research, policy, and implementation. There are two ways to be part of the work.