A recent review by the City of Miami Beach revealed that 507 buildings from this period are undergoing recertification, and 22% are overdue. However, these continue to face widespread noncompliance and poor enforcement. In the 1970s, a different building collapse prompted Miami-Dade to adopt the 40-year recertification requirements that we have today. Regrettably, we only think about disaster preparedness after disaster strikes. Furthermore, the absence of a sustained municipal focus has exacerbated the situation. Faced with prolonged exposure to wind, water, and saltwater encroachment, building management has frequently chosen to overlook the critical maintenance needed to counter structural corrosion. Many of Miami’s buildings were constructed in the 1960s through 1980s, when building standards and practices were lax. My hometown of Miami Beach is among the world’s most climate vulnerable communities, so learning from disasters is critical to resilience – our ability to withstand physical hazard events, maintain functionality, and adapt to growing risks. The tragic Surfside condo collapse is a stark reminder of the fragility of our seaside communities, and the urgent need for a stronger and safer built environment. If we are to learn from the Surfside tragedy, now is the time for municipalities, investors, and residents to recognize their mutual self-interest and make resilience a top priority.

He is the founder and chair of the Resilience Youth Network, and serves on the board of the Miami Beach Next Generation Council. Robert Henry Fetell is currently pursuing his Masters of Applied Geoscience at the University of Pennsylvania and part of the PA-AWWA’s University of Pennsylvania Student Chapter. Posted by resilienceyouthnetwork August 19, 2021