developments has been spotlighted at a prestigious international convention of civil engineers.

More than 100 top engineers converged on the Island for the three-day meeting which kicked off on Friday.

Around 70 came from the United States, and 30 from Britain. Japan, India, and Mexico were also represented.

A small group of Government officials attended as well.

The first-ever "Bermuda Summit'' was sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Institution of Civil Engineering (ICE).

Its theme was "Facilitating Sustainable Development -- The Role of the Engineer.'' Under scrutiny was the role engineers can play in boosting the world's environment.

At the outset on Friday, Environment Minister the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto spoke of the Bermuda Plan 1992 -- a central plank in Government's strategy for future development.

More than three years in the works, it will replace the 1983 Development Plan.

The new plan beefs up controls on development and use of land outside of Hamilton and the military bases.

Emphasis is on conservation following a survey showing the Island to be over-developed.

The research uncovered hundreds of empty homes and more than 2,000 undeveloped lots.

Speaking before the summit, Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said a philosophy of "sustainable development'' lay behind the new plan.

"It's a question of meeting reasonable present needs without unduly compromising the future.'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said Bermuda faced a special challenge because of its size.

"It depends on imports and has a very limited land mass,'' she added.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said she would be raising the Bermuda Plan at the convention to highlight efforts to lay the groundwork for the Island's future.

Among those who attended the summit was Mr. Gregory Gosling, past president of the Bermuda Association of Professional Engineers.

He believed the Island could learn from the wide-ranging debates.

"The factors affecting the protection of the environment are primarily technology, economics and politics,'' he said.

Civil engineers, involved in technology, could play a crucial role.

Speakers at the convention included Lt. General Henry J. Hatch, ex-chief of engineers from the US Army Corps of Engineers; Mr. William J. Carroll, president of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations; and Mr.

William L. Robertson, associate chief of engineers from the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Others included Mr. Hassan Virji, deputy director of System for Analysis Research and Training, and Mr. Roger S. Dobson, director general and secretary of ICE.