After Mexico - earthquakes and resilient cities
As the rescue efforts in Mexico City after the devastating earthquake of September 2017 draw to a close, comparisons continue to be drawn between how the city fared now and after a similar earthquake more than 30 years ago.
Many have pointed out that while both fatalities (fewer than 300 people) and damage (40 buildings collapsed and nearly 4,000 declared severely damaged) were considerably less, there are still questions that remain regarding the resilience of Mexico City’s infrastructure.
According to the New York Times:
‘Tighter building codes, better construction materials and a robust public awareness surely played a role in limiting the carnage this time around.
‘What spared this metropolitan area of 21 million was, at least in part, luck…In a 2016 study of a random sample of 150 buildings constructed after 2004, when the new codes were adopted … many failed to meet city standards. In many cases, the buildings reviewed did not even have enough necessary paperwork to conduct a full assessment’
With these concerns in mind, a collection of Building Research & Information articles has been assembled about earthquakes and reducing the risks to the built environment.
A key finding of one research article 'Evaluation of Building Code Compliance in Mexico City: mid-rise dwellings' was published in 2016 and found that the regulations (on paper) are fine, it is lack of enforcement which is the major problem.
The aim is that by contributing leading scholarship, help can be given to cities to heal, learn and become better prepared for future earthquakes.
This collection will be free to access until 31st October 2017.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BREEAM Designing for durability and resilience.
- Earthquakes and the seismic strengthening of churches.
- Earthquake Design Practice for Buildings.
- Engineering in the 21st century.
- Engineers and hurricanes.
- How to rebuild using the debris from disasters.
- Hurricane design considerations.
- Managing and responding to disaster.
- The opportunity to build tomorrow’s cities.
- Two steps towards a more resilient world.
- Updated seismic hazard maps for the UK.
Featured articles and news
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings for people to come home to... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”