The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), in partnership with the IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association) Secretariat, has launched a specialized webinar series aimed at sharing critical knowledge and fostering peer-to-peer learning among member states.
The initiative aligns with the urgent mandate of the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRWG), which warns that modern infrastructure must be designed to withstand "multiple hazards." This includes not only traditional threats like flooding and cyclones but also the rapidly escalating risks associated with extreme heat. The focus is specifically on housing and social infrastructure.
A key session titled ‘Resilient Housing,’ organized alongside the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), will tackle the unique challenges of coastal regions. The session focuses on three primary pillars:
- Climate-Responsive Design: Moving beyond standard blueprints to designs that adapt to shifting environmental pressures.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring strict adherence to existing disaster-resilient codes and standards.
- Long-term Governance: Creating frameworks for the repair and retrofitting of existing structures to prevent total loss during intense climate events.
The webinar will also showcase a major knowledge product: the Compendium of Case Studies on Disaster Resilient Housing and Facilities. Prepared at the request of the G20 South Africa Presidency, this compendium provides a roadmap for holistic development.
Experts emphasize that true resilience goes beyond concrete and steel. The G20 and CDRI are advocating for:
- Nature-Based Solutions: Integrating natural infrastructure to act as buffers.
Social Inclusion: Mainstreaming gender, disability, and social considerations into the very fabric of urban planning.
As climate-induced disasters become more frequent and intense, this partnership seeks to ensure that the coastal regions of the Indian Ocean and the world at large are no longer caught unprepared.
