December 3rd, 2024
A comprehensive study released by the New Zealand Earthquake Commission reveals a strong public desire for buildings that do more than just ensure safety during seismic events. The findings, part of the Resilient Buildings Project's second policy brief, underscore the need for structures capable of facilitating faster social and economic recovery post-earthquake, while maintaining a focus on life safety.
The research conducted by the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineers (NZSEE) and the Earthquake Commission Toka Tū Ake (EQC) has unveiled a significant shift in New Zealanders' expectations towards building resilience in the face of earthquake risks. According to the findings, Kiwis demand more from their buildings than just life safety; they seek rapid recovery and usability post-earthquake.
The big picture:
The research highlights the heightened awareness and concern among New Zealanders regarding the direct property damage, social distress, and economic disruptions caused by earthquakes, alongside the irreplaceable loss of lives.
A significant gap has been identified between current building code provisions and the public's expectations for building performance during and after seismic activities.
Zoom in:
The study found that while life safety is a given, there's a strong desire for buildings that minimise function loss and protect property, with particular emphasis on the speedy recovery of community centres, marae, homes, and aged care facilities.
Advances in engineering and design knowledge since the 1970s offer opportunities to enhance building resilience without necessarily increasing costs.
What they're saying:
"Kiwis want more than life safety. Social and economic recovery are crucial," the report states, highlighting the gap in the current code which meets life safety expectations but falls short in other key areas such as function loss and property protection.
Details:
The introduction of a framework mapping social expectations to building performance aims to guide the enhancement of seismic standards, codes, and design practices in New Zealand.
The research underscores that making buildings more resilient is not only feasible but also cost-effective, with the potential for high returns in terms of reduced property loss and lower indirect costs of social and economic upheaval.
Between the lines:
The policy brief argues that prevention, through the design and construction of more resilient buildings, is preferable to the cure, drawing an analogy with the principle that "a fence at the top of the cliff is better than an ambulance at the bottom."
A major U.S. study cited in the report suggests that the direct benefits of improved seismic resilience, such as reduced property loss, are complemented by significant reductions in the indirect costs associated with social distress and economic disruption.
The bottom line:
The Resilient Buildings Project not only sheds light on New Zealanders' expectations for building performance in the wake of earthquakes but also provides a clear path towards improving resilience through targeted, cost-effective interventions.
The initiative represents a significant step towards aligning New Zealand's building standards with societal expectations, ensuring that buildings can better withstand earthquakes, thereby accelerating recovery and minimising disruption.