Urban Resilience the Key to Happier, Healthier Communities - Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC)

Australian cities and urban areas face more challenges than ever before. A growing and increasingly urbanised population is putting increased pressure on cities, infrastructure and the housing sector. How can our built environment handle these demands, as well as dealing with climate change and emergency events like natural disasters and extremist acts?

The answer lies in urban resilience: the capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses and systems within a city to survive, adapt and grow no matter what kind of stresses and shocks they may experience.

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has released a set of fact sheets on urban resilience for three segments:

Cities – Population growth is providing challenges in managing demands on available space, transporting people and goods, and keeping communities safe, cohesive, fulfilled and happy.
Infrastructure – Maintaining and expanding the critical infrastructure that provides Australians with high-quality utilities, transport, healthcare and other essential services will require significant investment from governments.
Housing – Available, affordable housing with access to employment, services and facilities is a major issue.

The Chair of ASBEC’s Resilience Task Group, Adrian Piani said the fact sheets were designed for organisations involved in the planning, design, delivery and operation of the built environment.

“ASBEC’s aim is to help built environment sector professionals embed resilience thinking into their decision-making, and begin a discussion with stakeholders and supply chains.” Mr Piani said.

The fact sheets were developed by the ASBEC Resilience Task Group in collaboration with specialist resilience advisers from integrated infrastructure firm, AECOM.

“Each fact sheet provides a series of questions organisations can work through,” said Kieran Power, AECOM Senior Consultant – Sustainability and Resilience.

“They provide a practical way for organisations to self-assess and gain an understanding of what resilience means to them and the projects they deliver.”

ASBEC President Prof Ken Maher noted this initiative is part of ASBEC’s focus on community wellbeing and a more sustainable future.

“By understanding the principles of urban resilience, organisations can discover opportunities to contribute to a better quality of life for Australians.” said Prof Maher.

“Urban resilience is not just about dealing with problems – it improves the wellbeing of communities by enhancing economic, environmental and social outcomes. It is a model for good times as well as bad.”