The concept of infrastructure resiliency seeks out more durable, more flexible methods of managing resources.
Watch the live stream, viewable from both PCs and mobile devices.
As many new and recurring challenges affect and shape our response to extreme events, the importance of resilient infrastructure becomes increasingly critical. Security threats, an uncertain climate and financial instability have all left their mark on our existing systems, begging the question, “Are we prepared for the future?” The greater Chicago region has experienced its share of extremes, including a foreclosure crisis that has led to a shortage of rental housing and a supply/demand mismatch, drought conditions for most of 2012, blackouts throughout the region and, most recently, intense storms resulting in impassable expressways, five straight days of flooding and combined sewer overflows.
How can we prepare for the unexpected? Coordinated, data-driven, purposeful planning leads to better communities today, as well as smarter investments for the future. At the local level, we can’t control the weather, the economy or security threats, but we can control our response. To make the most efficient and cost-effective use of our limited public resources, we need to take steps now to prepare and prevent, rather than continue to spend tens of billions of dollars or more in post-disaster relief.
Join MPC for a discussion with representatives from ComEd, Ill. Dept. of Public Health and UIC about the resiliency of physical and social infrastructure, and how we can effectively plan for both natural and man-made disasters.
Moderator:
Peter Skosey, Executive Vice President, Metropolitan Planning Council
Panelists:
J. Tyler Anthony, Senior Vice President of Distribution Operations, ComEd
Sybil Derrible, Assistant Professor, Civil and Materials Engineering, University of Illinois—Chicago
Stephen Konya, Chief of Staff, Ill. Dept. of Public Health
This event is sponsored by Illinois American Water.