A global initiative is underway to design critical infrastructure that is more sustainable and resilient. Over the last 20 years, the reported economic losses due to extreme weather events alone has risen 151% globally, according to a policy brief created by G20 Insights. While needed in virtually every community, new design standards are especially valuable for cities undertaking major infrastructure upgrades in anticipation of upcoming events or to combat natural disasters. Solutions are needed that not only address immediate needs but also enhance quality of life long after an event is over.
New resilient and sustainable design standards are needed across a range of industries. Highways, bridges, ports, railways, seaports, airports and other transportation infrastructure all face a wide range of threats induced by climate change, as do water and wastewater infrastructure and solid waste disposal operations. Likewise, pipelines and the entire energy generation, transmission and distribution chain might take a fresh look at their infrastructure’s resiliency.
Any design response will need to be tailored to the industry and geographic region, given that different types of infrastructure are threatened by different types of disasters and modes of failure. A few examples:
Aggravated Weather Events — As reported by many industry organizations and trade publications, climate change has resulted in more aggravated weather events, including greater storm frequency, precipitation, intensity and wind speeds. These higher-intensity weather events can trigger mudslides, mudflows, flooding and other geological disasters that can impact a variety of infrastructure. To minimize overall risks, more sustainable urban drainage systems are needed, including resilient flood routes, temporary storage areas and other multifunctional infrastructure designed to accommodate exceedance. Highways that can be used to channel excess water, curbs that can be raised or lowered to redirect water, and parks that can serve as temporary storage reservoirs are all examples. The Construction Industry Research and Information Association, among other groups, has developed an extensive body of research on sustainable urban drainage.
Flooding can have a particularly damaging effect on municipal water and wastewater systems, causing sewer overflows and the release of dangerous pollutants into flood waters. Extensive flooding can also cause waste from solid waste disposal operations to build up in undesirable areas. To mitigate problems like these, new design standards might place priority on waste-to-fuel systems and other technical solutions that minimize waste buildup. In some cases, flooding concerns might alternately be addressed by decentralizing waste collection and storage or by implementing municipal composting programs.
Drought — Thanks to climate change and population growth, some parts of the U.S. as well as the world can no longer be certain of having access to the water supply they need. Water shortages are not the only consequence. In California, for example, drought often leads to a cycle of drying soils and occasional intensive rainstorms. Pounding rain on dry soil can simultaneously result in mudslides and/or greater fire risk as well as higher vegetative fuel density. Some research points to the benefits of alternative water planning approaches that make it possible to respond relatively quickly to drought where it occurs.
Wildfires — Wildfires can destroy everything in their path, especially crippling entire regions if they bring down power lines and telecom infrastructure in the process. The use of more resilient building materials and design in high-risk areas can be part of the solution. For example, concrete pipe might be more resilient to high heat than steel pipe materials are. Increased vegetation management or construction of underground distribution lines and fire-resistant transmission infrastructure can all help prevent fires in the first place.
Another significant concern is the water contamination that can be caused by ash and rubble from burned structures that make their way into the water supply during post-fire rains. Transportation planners must also consider the impact of major disasters on the transportation network and the need for roadways that can accommodate large-scale evacuation.
Chronic Sea Level Rise — Much of the world’s most important infrastructure, including seaports, levees, oil refineries, sewage treatment facilities and power plants, are constructed near water. As glaciers melt and areas with warmer water expand, such infrastructure will be threatened. To prevent water intrusion from causing corrosion and contamination, this infrastructure will likely need to be relocated, surrounded by high sea walls or otherwise hardened.