Rebuilding the caribbean sustainably

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Rebuilding the Caribbean- SUSTAINABLY

Introduction

“Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth... these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women's empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all.” Ban Ki Moon Healing Crisis The recent devastation brought by the 2017 hurricane season is one that’s impossible to ignore. It may just be the “wake up call” that the Caribbean has needed for some time now in order to adjust building codes, lessen vulnerability and increase adaptability to suit the current climate which is increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters. In rebuilding this time, our approach MUST be different. The creation of sustainable urban and rural developments that take into consideration the natural environment in which they exist is key. As small islands located directly in the hurricane belt and also subject to earthquakes, it is critical that we now consider flexible infrastructure that can shift with earth tremors to offer earthquake resistance, buffering of our coastlines to mitigate storm surge with flooding and most pertinent and critical to the region- protection against storms and hurricanes. While these are challenges that exist due to our location, there also benefits to be derived from it. We must instead look favourably upon our position in the tropics and the abundance of resources this affords us in building our offices and homes.


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