Jo’s lecture, Shifting Agendas: Response to Resilience; The role of the engineer in disaster risk reduction, calls for a new approach to disasters that prioritises creating resilient communities which are able to respond and adapt to changing circumstances and unexpected catastrophes.
In 2010, 300 million people were affected by disasters, and according to recent studies, the number of people living in cities that are vulnerable to earthquakes and cyclones will reach 1.5 billion by 2050.
Jo’s lecture challenges the traditional definition of civil engineering as ‘the art of directing the great sources of power in Nature for the use and convenience of mankind’. Engineers have a vital role to play in responding to disasters, from the provision of clean water, sanitation, shelter, and the transport infrastructure needed to facilitate delivery of food and medical supplies, to ensuring that we build back better, creating sustainable and resilient communities. Jo argues that it is time for civil engineers to recognise the fundamental role they have to play in reducing the vulnerability of mankind.
Jo will be the first woman to give this prestigious lecture, and is the third person from Arup to deliver it, following in the footsteps of David Singleton and Peter Head. She said: “It is an honour to have been invited to deliver the 9th ICE Brunel International Lecture series. I welcome this opportunity to share my perspective on the changing landscape of natural disasters and what this might mean for engineers in the future. My perspective draws on my own experiences working in post-disaster situations. I have seen first-hand not only the vital role engineers play reducing suffering in the aftermath of disasters, but also the critical role that infrastructure plays in reducing risk in the first place, and in catalysing recovery. Engineering skills are essential to combat the increasing risk posed by natural hazards as a result of urbanisation and climate change, and I hope that my lecture will inspire engineers worldwide to rise to this challenge.”
ICE President Richard Coackley said: “The Brunel International Lecture series is about sharing expert engineering knowledge and inspiring debate globally, and following in the steps of those who have gone before her Jo’s lecture is enlightening and visionary. The world around us is changing and engineers are crucial to how we adapt, respond and mitigate the impact of not just natural disasters but climate change, population growth and societal shifts such as urbanization. Jo is absolutely right to challenge traditional ways of thinking; innovating our practices is integral to the profession and its ability to find relevant solutions for society.”
The Brunel International Lecture series was instituted in 1999 in memory of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, 1806-1859, in recognition of his contribution to civil engineering. The inaugural lecture of each series is held at the Institution of Civil Engineers in London and the lecture is then delivered at selected international venues.
The lecture took place at the ICE HQ in Westminster. It can be downloaded after it has been delivered here: http://www.ice.org.uk/Information-resources/Document-Library?categoryid=184
To arrange interviews with Jo da Silva please contact:
Beth Hurran, +44 (0) 20 7755 5403, media@arup.com
For further information about ICE or attending the lecture, please contact:
Kate Ison, +44 (0) 207 665 2104, kate.ison@ice.org.uk
About ICE
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a leading source of professional expertise in transport, water supply and treatment, flood management, waste and energy. Established in 1818, it has over 80,000 members throughout the world including over 60,000 in the UK. ICE’s vision is to place civil engineering the heart of society, delivering sustainable development through knowledge, skills and professional expertise. The ICE has long worked with the government of the day to help it to achieve its objectives, and has worked with industry to ensure that construction and civil engineering remain major contributors to the UK economy.
About Arup
Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world’s most prominent projects in the built environment and across industry. We offer a broad range of professional services that combine to make a real difference to our clients and the communities in which we work.
We are truly global. From 90 offices in 35 countries our 10,000 planners, designers, engineers and consultants deliver innovative projects across the world with creativity and passion.
Founded in 1946 with an enduring set of values, our unique trust ownership fosters a distinctive culture and an intellectual independence that encourages collaborative working. This is reflected in everything we do, allowing us to develop meaningful ideas, help shape agendas and deliver results that frequently surpass the expectations of our clients.
The people at Arup are driven to find a better way and to deliver better solutions for our clients.
“We shape a better world.”
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