Designing for a Resilient America

The DHS S&T Directorate and IDD sponsored this workshop, held at the American Institute of Architects in Washington, D.C., on November 30 - December 1, 2010. The Workshop focused on understanding issues concerning the resilience on of buildings and related infrastructure, and discerning possible strategies for the Federal departments and agencies to pursue in creating a resilient America. Many speakers at the summit addressed the resilience of U.S. buildings and infrastructure against man-made attacks and natural hazard events with four design-related approaches: high performance, codes and standards, continuity of operations, and integrated design. These approaches support resilience in buildings through promoting good initial design and construction for new facilities, effective retrofit for existing facilities, and appropriate operational programs to ensure that mitigation plans are in place, and building systems operate as required. The Summit was attended by 82 experts from the building industry, federal agencies, state and local governments, universities, and professional and trade organizations.

More information can be found in Designing for a Resilient America: A Stakeholder Summit on High Performance Resilient Buildings and Related Infrastructure (PDF, 56 pages - 3.18 MB).