Strengthening our communities: 4 strategies for building resilient cities

That’s why building resilience needs to be among the highest priorities for our industry, clients, cities and towns, whether here in the Pacific Northwest or anywhere in the country. We may all face different types of challenges, but we also must all be prepared for them.

What is resilience and why is it important?

Resilience is the intentional design of buildings and infrastructure to respond to natural and manmade disasters and disturbances, as well as long-term changes resulting from climate change. Building resilience incorporates many components: energy and water sources, disaster fortitude design, emphasis on passive systems, resource storage and reduced environmental effects. It’s something that our team at Skanska has decades of experience doing.

A resilient building maintains function in the face of disaster, and improves the community’s ability to respond to complex and challenging situations. A building is resilient if it was built to combat climate change through embodied carbon reduction initiatives.

When it comes to resilience, needs vary by region. For instance, here on the west coast, we’re more concerned with seismic needs, while along the Gulf Coast, they’re thinking about hurricanes.

So, how do cities and towns plan and act to become more resilient? Based on our long history with resilience planning and building in the USA and around the world, here are four recommendations crucial to developing climate-resilient cities:

1. Harden critical facilities and infrastructure as part of urban planning

   For instance, at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria, Oregon, we started construction on the hospital expansion to withstand a major earthquake and the potential tsunami that could follow. In collaboration with our client and our design partner (ZGF), critical systems were sited on upper levels of the building, assembly areas were created to be used as emergency refuge space (with an exterior stair for public access), and the ground floor was hardened to protect against waterborne debris impacts. These design features will allow the hospital to continue to provide lifesaving medical care even in the face of a natural disaster.
   
   Another consideration is the integration of green spaces and permeable surfaces, especially in larger cities, which can mitigate urban heat islands and manage stormwater runoff, reducing flood risks.
   
   

2. Plan for sustainable and redundant sources of energy

   Transitioning to renewable energy sources is vital for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Additionally, resilience means having different systems in place to guarantee power in the event of an extended outage. The use of solar panels, wind turbines and other renewable energy technologies within urban areas achieves both goals, while strategic energy recovery systems also boost resilience.
   
   At the Beaverton Public Safety Center near Portland, Oregon, resilience was a top concern of the client when building this project. Measures included four systems to guarantee power in the event of a longer outage – rooftop solar, battery storage, diesel generator and local electrical grid – all coupled through a control system known as the Micro-grid Energy Management System (MEMS). During normal operation, the rooftop solar system charges the batteries and sends excess power back to the electrical grid. During a power loss, the systems work together to run critical systems for extended periods.
   
   The generator is also part of the Dispatchable Standby Generation (DSG) program through Portland General Electric (PGE). They maintain and fuel the generator, and helped fund the purchase. During normal power conditions PGE can run the generator remotely to help balance the grid. During loss of power the generator is dedicated to the Public Safety Center. Working together, these redundant systems ensure the city can provide essential services in times of need.
   
   

3. Implement water conservation methods

   Efficient water management systems are crucial as cities face challenges such as flooding or potable water scarcity during a wildfire or after a natural disaster. Implementing rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling and sustainable urban drainage systems can enhance water security and reduce flood risks.
   
   On a recent project on Microsoft’s campus, Skanska Balfour Beatty (SBB) and Microsoft together saved millions of liters of water simply by tracking and changing the source of certain water usage.
   
   Microsoft encouraged us to think creatively about how to reduce water consumption in line with their 2030 water positive commitment. SBB developed and implemented a plan to use non-traditional sources of water collection – including stormwater runoff filtered and stored in the project sediment pond – for non-potable construction uses such as road cleaning, dust control and other construction activities. This saved millions of liters of freshwater during construction.
   
   

4. Involve the community

   It’s important to engage local communities in resilience planning to ensure that strategies address the specific needs and vulnerabilities of all residents, particularly marginalized groups. Inclusive decision-making empowers communities to be part of building resilience by, for example, developing neighborhood-level hubs and emergency preparedness initiatives. This type of engagement helps ensure that resilience planning gets down to the street level with neighbors helping neighbors.

Looking forward

Incorporating these elements – whether you’re a city planner or a company looking to build something new – into your planning is crucial for creating cities that not just withstand the impacts of climate change but can thrive in the face of an emergency. By prioritizing robust infrastructure, sustainable and redundant energy sources, water conservation, and community engagement, we can build a resilient future together.