Building Back Better: Resilience
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
In its work to provide resources for the construction sector, BREEAM has created the online briefing hub, ‘Building Back Better with BREEAM: Supporting the green recovery’. The hub gathers a collection of briefing papers that reflect BREEAM’s position on important issues.
[edit] Resilience
The BREEAM vision for a fair and appropriate built environment is one that demonstrates social sensitivity in a manner that benefits long-term economic growth, wellbeing, resilience and inclusion. To reflect this vision, BREEAM has published a briefing paper, 'Encouraging resilient assets using BREEAM'.
The paper identifies resilience as something more than just surviving events that may cause physical damage or create business disruptions. It is defined as ‘the capacity of built assets and infrastructure to endure acute shocks and chronic stresses while successfully adapting to long-term changes’.
BREEAM Director Shamir Ghumra stresses the significance of resilience during times of turmoil, saying; “...instilling resilience in response to physical, social and transition risks is becoming a priority, as part of a risk management mechanism that can protect people, property and the planet.”
[edit] The Four Rs of resilience
The briefing paper outlines a vision for a built environment in which resilience is integrated into assets that are sustainable, and beneficial to the environment and to the health and wellbeing of those who use them. It can be demonstrated through four key features, arranged in the order in which they are being incorporated into the BREEAM family of standards:
- Resistance. Preventing damage or disruption by providing the strength or protection to resist the hazard or its primary impact.
- Reliability. Designing assets or systems to operate under a range of set conditions in order to mitigate damage or loss from an event.
- Redundancy. Making available backup installations or spare capacity to enable operations to be switched or diverted to alternative parts of the system in the event of disruption to ensure continuity of service.
- Response and recovery. Enabling a fast and effective response to, and recovery from, disruptive events.
[edit] Future thinking
BREEAM intends to continue its work integrating resilience across its standards and supporting a whole life performance approach for projects. The goal is to ensure resilience can be achieved across life cycles by linking the design, construction and performance of the completed project and the use of the asset once it is occupied.
BREEAM also hopes to identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that will support and demonstrate how resilience is achieved through application. For instance, incorporating measures combating natural hazards and reducing the probability of flooding in high risk areas.
Find out more at: https://files.bregroup.com/breeam/BREEAM_Resilience_BRE_115440.pdf
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BREEAM Designing for durability and resilience.
- BREEAM In-Use Version 6 environmental standard launched by BRE.
- BREEAM: The Next Generation.
- BREEAM USA In-Use Version 6.
- Building Back Better: Circularity and BREEAM.
- Building Back Better: Health.
- Building Back Better: Net zero carbon and BREEAM.
- Building Back Better: Social impact.
- Building back better with BREEAM.
- Building flood resilience.
- Managing and responding to disaster.
- Property flood resilience.
- Resilience.
- Risk management.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.