A recent surge of natural disasters affecting islands have called into focus the issue of resilient infrastructure for reduction in loss of life, property and economic gains. Unsustainable construction practices and poor planning amplify the impacts of both natural and manmade disasters offsetting the developmental gains made over several years. The projections of impending increases in climate-related hazards underscore the need to reassess what early mitigation measures can be incorporated in the planning, designing and construction of infrastructure on islands.
This panel will consider what resilient infrastructure can be expected to look like in the context of islands and more explicitly, Small island Developing States (SIDS). It will help identify some critical hard and soft interventions that support more resilient infrastructure on islands. It will examine what factors can assist in prioritizing these measures, particularly in the face of limited financial and human resources. The panel will identify the key stakeholders in the process of planning for resilience and how best to design and coordinate such efforts to enable timely interventions that are resource efficient. It will also propose innovative and financing strategies that support smart planning and infrastructure for islands.