Architects design environments that reduce harm and property damage, adapt to evolving conditions, and more readily, effectively, and efficiently recover from adverse events. To do so effectively, it is critical to utilize accurate terminology to communicate these issues as well as build trust and credibility.

This article defines mitigation, resilience, adaptation, sustainability, and regenerative design, clarifying the characteristics of each strategy as well as the nuances of hazard, risk, and vulnerability. The terms include an informal concept that clarifies application as well as a formal definition.

Concepts

Hazard: Poses a Threat to Safety

Hazards such as hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, blizzards, drought, and wildfires are responsible for injury, death, and property damage, as well as social and economic disruption. These events are no longer one-off, once-in-a-lifetime events, particularly when we look at the impacts of climate change.

Definition: A potential source of danger caused by a naturally occurring or human-induced process or event with the potential to create loss. [AIAU]¹

Risk: Quantifies Hazard Threat

Risk defines the likelihood of occurrence and intensity of the hazard. Determining the level of “acceptable risk” is critical to designing for the associated level of building performance. It is important to ask: What is the projected lifespan of the building? What are the building’s critical functional requirements before, during, and after a hazard strikes? And how long is it acceptable for the building to be out of service due to the impacts of a hazard?

Definition: The potential for an unwanted outcome resulting from an incident, event, or occurrence, as determined by its likelihood and the associated consequences. [DHS]²

Vulnerability: Personalizes Risk

Vulnerability assesses the capabilities and interdependencies of individuals and communities associated with risk. A resilient building in a vulnerable community is not truly resilient. Infrastructure, utilities, food supply, and services are all necessary for adequate functionality.

Definition: The degree to which a system is susceptible to, and unable to cope with, adverse effects. [IPCC]³

Mitigation: Reducing Negative Impact

Mitigation measures are often developed in accordance with lessons learned from prior incidents. Measures may include zoning and building codes or floodplain buyouts, as well as efforts to educate governments, businesses, and the public on measures they can take to reduce loss and injury. Mitigation is most successful when policies and decision-making support appropriate development, land use, site selection, and adoption of model building codes.

Definition: The lessening of the potential adverse impacts of physical hazards (including those that are human induced) through actions that reduce hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. [IPCC]⁴

Resilience: Inherent Durability or Flexibility

When working within the built environment, it is important to have foresight: incorporating changing environmental, social, and economic conditions into projects. This requires designs that are tough as well as flexible; providing the ability to not only bounce back, but forward.

Definition: The ability of a system and its component parts to anticipate, absorb, accommodate, or recover from the effects of a hazardous event in a timely and efficient manner, including through ensuring the preservation, restoration, or improvement of its essential basic structures and functions. [IPCC]⁵

Adaptation: Accommodating Needs Throughout Service Life

Hazards aren’t the only threat. It is critical to acknowledge the changing conditions in the physical, economic, and social environment as well. Communities and buildings are ultimately successful when they are adaptable to change.

Definition: The adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. [IPCC]⁶

Sustainability: Minimizing Environmental Impact

The concept of meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Definition: Design that seeks to avoid depletion of energy, water, and raw material resources; prevent environmental degradation caused by facility and infrastructure development over its life cycle; and create environments that are livable, comfortable, and safe and that promote productivity. [Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice]⁷

Regenerative Design: Enhanced Natural Environment

Taking sustainability to the next level, regenerative design restores or improves the natural environment.

Definition: Restores and improves the surrounding natural environment by enhancing the quality of life for biotic and abiotic components of the environment. [WBDG]⁸

AIA was founded in 1857 by 13 architects and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Reprinted with permission from AIA. All terms are sourced by AIA at https://tinyurl.com/4aju5fyy. Learn more about architecture and design at www.aia.org.

References
1. https://aiau.aia.org/aia-resilience-and-adaptation-online-certificate-program
2. https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/rma-risk-management-fundamentals.pdf
3. https://archive.ipcc.ch/pdf/special-reports/srex/SREX-Annex_Glossary.pdf
4. Ibid
5. Ibid
6. Ibid
7. https://store.aia.org/products/architects-handbook-of-professional-practice-15th-edition?variant=28634405121
8. https://www.wbdg.org/resources/living-regenerative-and-adaptive-buildings