Resiliency is defined as the capacity of a system to survive, adapt and grow when faced with stresses and shocks. Communities facing risk of natural disasters and other weather-related risks look to build resiliently when managing and preparing for related impacts. Beyond the human element of survival, there is a financial case for resilience. According to the United Nations, every dollar spent reducing vulnerability to disasters saves approximately seven dollars in economic losses.
Cities face various risks from event-driven natural shocks, such as hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes, as well as chronic stresses, including nuisance flooding, drought and heat waves. While traditional approaches are primarily reactionary efforts through emergency response, resilience focuses on efforts that allow communities to continue thriving by minimizing the risks of these major stresses in advance.
The impact of Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy demonstrated the need for more holistic, resilient systems thinking. Though we can’t plan for every eventuality, cities must assess vulnerabilities and understand the potential risks we face, knowing they may change over time.
Preventive measures can be taken to immediately reduce exposure by increasing absorptive capacity, such as flood proofing buildings or creating emergency response plans. Resiliency goes beyond reactionary tactics by incorporating strategies that both help to prevent impacts and prepare for the future.
Examples of resilient strategies that have multiple benefits include hardening infrastructure through a microgrid that runs on renewable energy and allows continuous operation when the grid shuts down; utilizing green infrastructure to absorb stormwater and reduce the heat island effect; and weatherization that increases protection from the elements and reduces energy use.
Individual buildings can also incorporate resilience into their design and operations. Using a school as an example, shocks and stresses depend on location but potential risks include flooding, hurricanes, extreme heat and sea-level rise. If a school is located in a coastal community that is susceptible to flooding, the building itself may suffer direct physical damage from the water, as well as indirect impacts if the students and faculty are unable to get to the building because of flooded roads.
By encouraging green infrastructure and building in areas with bike and pedestrian routes, we can ensure accessibility, while also improving the water and air quality. The same school may also want to consider a solution that involves backup power generation, such as battery storage or a microgrid. In addition to reducing dependency on the grid, these measures have the benefit of increasing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs over time.
On a broader level, buildings can be viewed as hubs within their communities. Research demonstrates that close-knit neighborhoods are more likely to survive a stress such as a hurricane or storm because of their eagerness to come together and utilize highly-secure community structures. Educational facilities can serve as a portal for such activity, allowing people to congregate whether or not there is a storm, serving as a refuge when homes may be impacted and providing necessary heating, cooling and shelter. In addition, schools can provide backup power when necessary to help charge electronic devices, which are critical to communication during a major event.
As we look to the future, resiliency will be a critical lens for designing buildings and communities that flourish in the face of new challenges. If we consider approaches that have multiple benefits, we have the potential for both a sustainable and more resilient world.