Designing for Resilience

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As a society, we are just beginning to design our infrastructure for the significant environmental changes we may experience in the future. Until recently, we have designed and built based on outdated models and data, and if many experts are correct, we may continue to be building for a Future That is Not What It Used to Be.

These were the opening comments by William Larson, speaking to several hundred delegates and online participants to a Plenary Luncheon session at the 2023 Summit of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region in Boise, Idaho on July 18, 2023.

“We do not get a second chance to get this right,” he added, noting that while the future is not yet written, “We have seen weather events across the Pacific Northwest as well as Europe and other continents that have put infrastructure to the test.”

Lasrson’s opening comments set the stage for a series of presentations focused on Designing for Resiliency that will be added to this website in the days ahead.

The Designing for Resilience Series stresses the importance of creating a more climate-friendly and sustainable built environment. By integrating resilient design principles in the construction of homes and communities, buildings can better resist extreme weather events, minimize damage, and ensure the safety of occupants while utilizing materials to attain low-carbon emissions targets.

This Series will explore key features and strategies that enable structures to withstand and recover from various shocks and stresses and be better prepared for disasters. Learn how the region can work together to build more resilient infrastructure for the future.

Watch the presentation by Willian Larson here.