Lessons on resilience from a year of global earthquakes
Date: 3/15/24
Credit: H. Kit Miyamoto (UCDRN Advisory Board), Olivia Nielsen, Ommid Saberi, Guido Licciardi
Rapid urbanization in disaster-prone areas increases recovery costs and highlights the need for resilient infrastructure. Japan’s 7.6 magnitude earthquake (2024) demonstrated how stringent building codes and preparedness reduce disaster impact, while the Türkiye-Syria earthquakes (2023) exposed vulnerabilities due to weak infrastructure, causing over 50,000 deaths and $34 billion in damages.
Key Takeaways on Resilience:
- Local geological conditions matter – buildings on soft soil require reinforced foundations.
- “Soft story” buildings are highly vulnerable but can be retrofitted for safety.
- Japan’s base isolation technology protected critical infrastructure.
- Code enforcement is crucial – structures following modern codes fared better in Türkiye.
Investing in resilience pays off—the IFC reports that every $1 spent on resilient buildings saves $4 in recovery costs. Tools like the Building Resilience Index (BRI) help developers assess risks, and global efforts aim to make resilient buildings the norm by 2030. Strengthening building codes and retrofitting existing structures are key to reducing disaster impacts worldwide.