Resilience, Sustainability & the Future of Codes

Since their inception, building codes have been a valuable tool for communities to address risks. With the impacts of climate change being felt in many communities and a greater focus on societal issues, the purview of building codes is shifting. To meet community resilience goals codes must reach beyond life-safety protection from natural hazards to recognize their potential influence on the social and economic fabric of communities. They must coordinate with other policies to address multiple community challenges. Both internationally and at the local level, organizations and agencies with responsibility for the development and administration of codes are identifying approaches to address new priorities. Building industry stakeholders including designers, contractors and building owners have an important role to play in informing solutions and achieving a safe, resilient and sustainable building stock. This session will explore how building codes and related policies are adapting to current needs, from the international, national and local level.

Presenters:
•       Ryan M. Colker, J.D., CAE, Vice President, Innovation at the International Code Council
•       Peter Adams, Senior Policy Advisor, Land Use & Buildings, Mayor’s Office of Resiliency, NYC

Learning Objectives:
1.      Explain the role of building codes in addressing changing risks associated with climate change
2.      Identify the important components of community resilience initiatives
3.      Describe how building codes support community resilience
4.      Recognize the interconnection between climate mitigation and hazard mitigation