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An Engineer's Perspective: Shaping Resilient Systems Through Policy and Practice
Posted By Adham Naiem

Early in my career as an entry-level transportation engineer in Florida, I worked on restoring a roadway devastated by then Tropical Storm Sandy. Witnessing firsthand how such a disaster disrupted lives, I came to understand how truly fragile our infrastructure is. The way it resoundingly affected multiple facets of daily life – from emergency, community, and economic perspectives – it was eye opening and brought me to a sobering conclusion.

Resilience isn’t merely a technical goal—it’s a mindset that demands a fundamental shift in policy, practice, and systems thinking. This early experience shaped my belief that disaster resilience isn’t just about rebuilding; it’s about rethinking.

Learnings from Construction, Design, and Planning

My career has taken me through construction, design, and planning, each phase deepening my understanding of resilience. In construction, I gained practical and hands-on experience, addressing the challenges of aging infrastructure. In design, I applied an academic foundation to transform communities with cutting-edge technologies like 3D modeling and understanding that the main arteries of society shouldn’t just be for vehicles. Finally, during my tenure in project management, I gained insight into the planning process—how projects are envisioned, funded, and overseen. I also learned the importance of adopting a multidimensional perspective, recognizing the invaluable contributions of professionals from diverse disciplines to the success of resilient systems.

These experiences illuminated the critical role of policy in bridging gaps between vision and implementation. Resilience, I realized, isn’t just an engineering problem; it’s a shared responsibility that requires collaboration across disciplines, leadership, and vision.

How NIBS Bridges Gaps to Shape a More Resilient Future

At the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), I have had the privilege of working at the intersection of policy and technical practice. Through initiatives like the Lifeline Infrastructure Hub and groundbreaking studies that translate science into action, we tackle critical resilience challenges across the built environment. Our approach brings together stakeholders from federal agencies, private industry, and community leaders to develop actionable strategies for building community resilience.

At NIBS, we’re not just solving today’s problems, we’re paving the way for a more resilient future. This work underscores a fundamental truth: resilience is a shared journey requiring diverse perspectives and unified action.

Engineers have a unique ability to influence resilience strategies through our technical expertise and systems-level thinking. Yet, true progress demands stepping beyond traditional roles. My experiences with hazards like hurricanes and tropical systems have shown that integrating policy and practice can significantly reduce a lag between groundbreaking policy and the intended positive result. And it cannot be done when the individuals engaging with the end user have no interaction with the other professions speaking on their behalf. Engineers must actively engage in policy discussions, ensuring that technical realities inform decision-making. By bridging these worlds, we can drive meaningful change and create infrastructure capable of withstanding future challenges.

Resilience Demands Interdisciplinary Leadership

Engineers must be equipped to engage with policymakers, advocate for systemic change, and lead resilience efforts forward. Achieving this vision requires actionable steps: integrating resilience and systems thinking into engineering education, fostering partnerships between technical professionals and policymakers, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. By bridging disciplines, we can empower communities to face future hazards with confidence. The path forward lies in embracing holistic, interdisciplinary approaches that redefine how we design, build, and govern our systems.

My journey has taught me that resilience isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about connections between disciplines, communities, and shared visions for the future. Building resilient systems requires bold action and collaboration. I invite others to join this mission, shaping a future where our systems—and the communities they serve—thrive.

The Road Ahead: Building Innovation 2025
As we look to the future, Building Innovation 2025 will provide a national platform to focus on the very resilience the United States should be striving for.

It will bring together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to align our efforts in addressing the critical challenges of the built environment. This initiative represents an opportunity to translate ideas into action, ensuring that resilience remains at the forefront of our collective priorities. By embracing the goals of Building Innovation 2025, we can chart a path toward a stronger and more sustainable future—one that empowers communities to adapt, recover, and thrive in the face of any challenge.

Resilience is more than a technical goal; it’s a shared commitment to building a stronger tomorrow.

Topics
Resilience/Risk Management