Many scientists believe that the magnitude and frequency of extreme events is escalating and in so doing will increase the vulnerability of the built environment. This paper discusses the synergies between three ongoing research projects being conducted at Loughborough University, the University of Salford and the University of Reading. The "Big Ideas" project aims to identify and understand the challenges, issues, drivers and barriers for the UK construction sector over the next 10 to 20 years. This work is being complemented by Loughborough's "PRE-EMPT" project and research being undertaken on behalf of the RICS Presidential Commission for Major Disaster Management. Mutually, these three projects form a basis for a deeper understanding of the future of both construction and the environment in which we live and work. The synergies between these projects will ultimately provide trans-disciplinary suggestions for how the industry and society can better prepare itself for any unforeseen eventualities.
History
School
Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Research Unit
Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC)
Citation
GOODIER, C.I. ... et al, 2007. Synergising disaster risk management and construction research: a multi-disciplinary initiative from the UK. IN: Walker. N. (ed.). Proceedings of CIB World Building Congress 'Construction for Development' 14-17 May 2007, Cape Town, South Africa, pp. 2942-2953