The essence of the joint "resilience" statement of design and construction industry organizations (whose logos are displayed) is to develop cost-effective mitigation and planning practices to break the cycle of destruction and rebuilding inherent in disasters. Such practices and commitment, says the statement, will improve the economic competitiveness of the U.S. and build a more resilient future.

On May 13, 2014, CEOs of nearly two-dozen leading design and construction industry associations used the occasion of "Building Safety Month" to issue a joint statement on "resilience" [found here.]

In essence, these organizations, along with building owners and operators, have agreed to "promote resilience in contemporary planning, building materials, design, construction, and operational techniques to help make the nation's aging infrastructure more safe and secure."

The statement was unveiled at a press conference at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., where a new major exhibition"?u"Designing for Disaster""?u presents design and building solutions for disaster mitigation.

"We recognize that natural and manmade hazards pose an increasing threat to the safety of the public and the vitality of our nation," reads the statement, in part. "We further recognize that contemporary planning, building materials, design, construction and operational techniques can make our communities more resilient to these threats."

The organizations signing the joint statement on resilience are:

American Council of Engineering Companies
American Institute of Architects
American Planning Association
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Society of Interior Designers
American Society of Landscape Architects
American Society of Plumbing Engineers
ASHRAE
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated General Contractors of America
Building Owners and Managers Association
International Code Council
International Interior Design Association
Lean Construction Institute
National Association of Home Builders
National Institute of Building Sciences International Facility Management Association
National Society of Professional Engineers
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Urban Land Institute
U.S. Green Building Council

These design and construction sector organizations represent more than 700,000 members, and their member companies generate almost $1 trillion in GDP. Their commitment is to "significantly improve the resilience of the nation's entire built environment through research into new materials, construction procedures and other methods to improve the standard of practice."

They are also committed to educating themselves through continuous learning, advocating for effective land use policies, responding to disasters alongside first responders and planning for future disaster with a strategy for fast recovery.

"Resilience is at the heart of what landscape architects do," observed ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville. "By reaching out across the design and construction industry spectrum, the alliance could play a significant role in addressing major national imperatives."