Resilient systems provide additional security in case of an unforeseen challenge.
Resiliency is a tough thing. It’s tough to define what it is. It’s tough to plan for. It’s tough to communicate. But at our “Smart Systems, Resilient Regions” roundtable on Tuesday, May 20, our three speakers attempted to do all those things. Generously sponsored by Siemens, the event attracted approximately 65 people from governments, businesses and communities throughout northern Illinois.
Perhaps it was our brutal, unending winter that piqued everyone’s interest, or the intense rain events of the past several weeks, but there was a keen appreciation amongst participants of the value of being prepared—not just for the expected, like snow, but also for unforeseen climate conditions like the polar vortex. Northeastern Illinois’ resiliency—our ability to provide critical public services such as transportation, communications, water and flood management—is being tested.
The trouble with “resiliency” is it has so many definitions. In some circles it means planning for foreseeable but unpredictable scenarios such as storm events or cyberattacks. In some circles it is an issue of planning with foresight, or investing in new technologies and infrastructure that can weather unpredictability, or modifying how we do things now in recognition that the slow, steady march of changing climate will bring different temperature patterns, growing seasons and precipitation. And in some circles it means ensuring that the most vulnerable members of our society have the same access to safety, basic resources and information in times of trouble as the least vulnerable among us.
In my mind resiliency is one of those things that is far easier to recognize when you see it than define in advance. It’s a process as well as a state of being: You are engaged in a particular endeavor, you had a setback, but you were able to adapt and for the most part continue onward and upward. From where I sit that’s the crux of resiliency.
Siemens’ Matthias Rebellius led off the event by reinforcing his firm’s interest in helping governments and businesses prepare for the unexpected, and placing the Chicago region in a more global context. Two of our speakers then focused that conversation to talk about resiliency initiatives in our region and across the country. Michael Masters, executive director, Homeland Security and Emergency Management for Cook County, examined the process of creating and implementing Cook County’s first Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan. He also explored the need to coordinate closely with neighboring counties as they prepare comparable plans, all of which are supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. And James Schwab, manager, American Planning Association’s Hazards Planning Research Center, argued that hazard mitigation and post-disaster recovery should be planning priorities in all aspects of local planning process, rather than stand-alone efforts.
Alison Taylor, vice president, Sustainability, Siemens Infrastructure & Cities, took a slightly different tack. Her presentation facilitated a deeper exploration of the ingredients that make up resiliency. Siemens, Arup and the Regional Plan Association in New York City have collaborated on a research project to consider the risks to urban areas due to weather-related hazard events, and the actions that should be taken to respond to these risks and develop greater resilience in the face of future change. Their findings suggest a multi-point approach to resiliency. To quote from Taylor's presentation:
- Robust infrastructure is able to withstand the impacts of hazard events without significant damage or loss of function.
- Redundant systems have spare or latent capacity (the ability to manage loads), which can absorb sudden surges in demand or partial loss of supply. Back-up equipment may be used to enable continuity of service in the event of infrastructure failure.
- Diversity and flexibility in infrastructure systems mean that services may be supplied via a number of pathways, using distributed resources and multifunctional equipment. If one pathway fails, another can be used to achieve the same service.
- Responsive infrastructure systems incorporate automated monitoring, short feedback loops and controls at multiple points, enabling transparency of performance data and rapid adjustment to maintain functionality.
- Coordination between systems means that knowledge is shared, planning is collaborative and strategic, and responses are integrated for mutual benefit.
Siemens supports governments and businesses as they plan for resiliency; Taylor examined automatic train controls, real-time levee monitoring, and a host of other examples that fleshed out the principles above.
The main takeaway from the event was, as James Schwab pointed out, resiliency is not an issue to address tomorrow. Every planning effort should build in the uncertainty of climate change and other challenges. That’s what planners do, after all: Plan for the future. Our region won’t be immune from any of these concerns. We may not face rising tides, but more intense and frequent heat waves, droughts, flooding, blizzards…The time to get ready is now. Thanks to our speakers for bringing those difficult truths to the fore.
If you missed the roundtable you may view it on MPC's YouTube channel. All presentation slides are available here. MPC greatly appreciates Siemens' support of the event.