A coalition of leading design and construction organizations have called on Congress to include funding in any new infrastructure proposal that would significantly improve the resilience and performance of buildings across the country, The American Institute of Architects announces. 

In a letter issued to Congress earlier this week, signatories addressed the increasing threat that natural and manmade hazards pose on the safety of the public and strength of the country. As stated in the letter, “The combination of aging infrastructure and worsening natural disasters has resulted in the unacceptable, yet preventable, loss of human life and costly property damage.” According to the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, between 2014 and 2019, the United States experienced 77 weather and climate-related disasters that resulted in over $550 billion in damage and nearly 4,000 lives lost. 

The letter notes that Americans spend over 90 percent of their time inside buildings, pointing to how critical they are in ensuring the resiliency of the country, as a whole. 

“Buildings are a vital part of our nation’s infrastructure," the letter adds. "Schools, hospitals, civic centers, commercial buildings, and housing are essential components of our neighborhoods and communities. These buildings are already integrated into other aspects of our nation’s infrastructure in inextricable ways, including the U.S. electrical grid, drinking water and sewage systems, and even transportation through connected charging infrastructure. If one segment fails, other parts of the system can be compromised. We have seen this time and again in the wake of natural disasters.”

The coalition defines resilient structures and locations as being able to withstand extreme events, minimize damage, maintain functionality, and protect building occupants. With investment to support new, innovative planning, design, and construction, the group believes the building industry can be a leader in saving lives and reducing costs. 

The organizations behind the letter also released the Resilience Building Coalition’s progress report titled “Preparing to Thrive”, which outlines concrete steps the organizations have taken in research, education, planning, advocacy, and disaster response since signing the Building Industry Statement on Resilience in 2014.