Disaster Resilience - Infrastructure to Combat Climate Change Creating Disaster-Resilient Communities ICC Hong Kong, May 30 th, 2007

What’s an Arup?

Drivers of Change Climate Energy Water Waste Demographics Urbanization

Definition Disaster Aversion: mitigating disasters we are causing or causing to accelerate Disaster-Resistance: designing systems to withstand events (typically through single- system approaches) Disaster-Resilience: designing flexible, adaptive and redundant systems, typically through an integrated approach

At what scale should we be addressing these issues? Increasing dependence on large- scale grids/distribution systems = increased vulnerability to climate change/disasters (mega-farms, national energy grids, telecoms, etc)

Vulnerable Communities (metropolitan areas) Growing urban populations stressing existing resources/systems Poorly articulated growth strategies promote consumption of natural buffers/critical areas Distributed governance responsibility = difficult coordination / slow reaction Corporate resilience heavily linked to resilience of public infrastructure = threat to competitiveness in global economy

Characteristics of Disaster-Resilience Communities Link prevention strategies with buildings/infrastructure (critical facilities) Buildings fail gently at specific points Energy, water, communications strategies can function detached from local / regional / national grids Industrial / food strategies, warehousing Performance-based regulatory schemes encourage innovation

Examples Non-bonded braces (seismic zones) Energy independence – wind, sun, biofuels Fuel cell powered buses (Dongtan) and ferries (Treasure Island) double as back up power for critical facilities Integrated design approach to high density compact development = energy efficiency, more open space, reduced infrastructure costs Recycling 100% water to live within community’s water budget

Conclusion A sustainable (integrated design) approach is the most rational pathway to long term value creation and competitive advantage The most robust of all risk management strategies: depth, breadth, at intersections and over time. Without an economic lever customary belief is difficult to dislodge To optimize conditions for human development over time a city must be environmentally, socially, economically and culturally sustainable

Thank You