In an era marked by the escalating impacts of climate change, the importance of developing resilient infrastructure has never been more critical. Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) is at the forefront of advocating for robust infrastructural strategies to combat the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Chris Campbell, CEO of CESA, emphasises the urgent need for proactive measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of communities nationwide.

He highlighted the necessity of revising infrastructure standards in response to more frequent and severe weather events. “For example, there have been revisions of standards regarding how close structures should be built to water courses. These standards are being updated to reflect the increased intensity and frequency of severe storms.” He further elaborated that traditional statistical models, which predict storm events every 100 years, are no longer sufficient. “These flood lines now have to move further back to ensure safety and resilience.”

Local authorities play a vital role in this transition. “It’s not just developers at fault; local authorities must enforce compliance with updated bylaws and building regulations,” Campbell asserted. Failure to do so, he warned, will result in more human catastrophes and property losses.

One of the pressing issues is the construction of informal settlements near water courses, making them highly vulnerable to flooding. “People building informal settlements close to water courses do so out of necessity, but this makes them incredibly vulnerable,” Campbell said. He also pointed out that even high-value properties built close to water bodies for scenic views are at great risk, emphasising the importance of adherence to revised building regulations.

The call to action is clear: integrated efforts from government, developers, and the community are essential to create resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding the challenges posed by climate change. “Building resilient infrastructure is not just about new projects but maintaining and adapting our current systems to ensure they can cope with future demands,” Campbell concluded.