An Introduction to the RELi Standard Part 1

A series of devastating natural disasters hit various states in the U.S. in 2017, leaving behind catastrophic damage that reached the billions in recovery costs. Hurricane, flooding, and wildfire recovery efforts are still underway. In response, the Trump administration declared November 2017 as Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month to keep the security of the nation at the forefront while rebuilding the infrastructures of Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas, and California.

Moving forward, the goal is to not only rebuild but to rebuild structures that are resilient enough to withstand extreme conditions. Because recovery is important on the state and federal level, to the individuals affected, and construction professionals, our Tampa construction attorneys will give a primer on the resilient construction standard, RELi, in this article and part two.

Resilience: The Key to Recovery

Hurricanes and wildfires may have come and gone but the people living in the areas continue to grapple with the impact in dramatic ways. Not only do extreme natural disasters cause physical damage to areas, they affect survivors of these events emotionally and psychologically. The nation as a whole must develop resilience to bounce back so that individuals, communities, organizations, and states can adapt and recover from life-changing events without compromising long-term development prospects.

Why Resilient Design?

As Tampa construction lawyers, we understand the impact that natural disasters can have on infrastructures. Damage can not only affect owners, but it also affects construction professionals. The frequency of these events creates an even greater urgency for buildings and communities to better adapt to the changing climate as well as the ability to recover from such interruptions. This is why RELi was developed. According to Architect Magazine,

“In our effort to be more resilient as individuals, families, businesses, and communities, architects [and builders] will need to carefully plan buildings, select products, and design systems that are easily adaptable to changing needs, holistic in acknowledging adjacencies and regional impacts, and finally see the environment as their client inasmuch as they see their paying patron as their client.”

The country as a whole is facing a range of regional and global pressures. Florida, in particular, is a coastal area vulnerable to flooding, storm surges, and sea level rise. Improving resilience in the state is crucial for ensuring minimizing the effect that natural disasters can have on the state as well protecting infrastructures and economic development.

If you would like to speak with a Tampa construction lawyer, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.