Designing for Resilience … It’s A Must

By: William Larson,
Chairman of the Pacific Northwest Building Resilience Coalition

There is an urgent need to enhance the built environment’s resilience to withstand extreme weather events and natural disasters. The Pacific Northwest faces an array of threats, including wildfires, atmospheric rivers causing flooding, droughts, extreme temperatures, and the looming possibility of a major seismic event along the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

These hazards underscore the necessity of designing and constructing structures that can endure such challenges.

Building codes, traditionally focused on minimum design and construction standards for affordability, aim to protect lives during incidents like fires, floods, or earthquakes. However, these codes often overlook long-term resilience against escalating climate-related disasters.

This gap has led to rising disaster recovery costs and challenges in securing insurance. Larson asserts that a comprehensive, strategic approach is needed to address these deficiencies and strengthen building codes.

The economic toll of extreme weather events has been staggering. The International Chamber of Commerce reported $2 trillion in global economic costs over the past decade, with the U.S. alone experiencing over $500 billion in damages. Recent wildfires in Los Angeles, which destroyed over 18,000 buildings and caused damage estimated at $300 billion, highlight the high price of inadequate resilience measures.

Larson points out that current building codes fail to account for the environmental impact of materials that prematurely end their lifecycle due to disasters. The debris generated from destroyed structures contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and burdens landfills.

Moreover, the rebuilding process, from material production to construction, adds to the environmental toll. These factors are seldom included in assessments of building materials’ environmental impact, further emphasizing the need for robust and sustainable design.

Resilience in design and construction is not just an environmental imperative but also an economic and social one. Larson advocates for stricter building codes informed by scientific research, incorporating materials and systems suited to local hazards. For instance, non-flammable materials in wildfire-prone areas or systems with better seismic performance can significantly reduce risks.

Improved building codes benefit various stakeholders, including homeowners, governments, insurers, and lenders, by mitigating damages and ensuring stability in insurance and disaster relief systems.

Stronger building codes are essential to public safety, enabling structures to withstand disasters while promoting energy efficiency and accommodating new technologies. Enhanced standards for structural integrity, fire safety, and climate-related event preparedness contribute to community sustainability.

By prioritizing resilience, communities can recover more quickly from disruptions, minimizing economic losses and ensuring continued prosperity.

Larson underscores the interconnectedness of resilience and sustainability. By addressing the root causes of structural failures and adopting proactive measures, communities can better navigate future uncertainties while protecting the environment.

Governments, industry professionals, and communities must collaborate to advocate for and implement stronger building codes. Investing in resilience today safeguards lives, preserves resources, and reduces reliance on federal disaster aid.

Ultimately, resilience is about more than survival—it is about building a sustainable and thriving future. By embracing a proactive approach to design and construction, communities can withstand the challenges of extreme weather events and natural disasters while ensuring long-term environmental preservation.

By working together, we can create a resilient built environment that protects both inhabitants and the planet.

Download an extebded printable version of this Op-Ed here

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The Pacific Northwest Building Resilience Coalition represents thousands of private companies committed to improving planning, development, and the construction of homes, buildings, communities, and associated infrastructure capable of surviving, recovering from, and adapting to the growing impacts of natural disasters, climate change, and an ever-evolving urban and physical environment.