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Economic Multipliers (109)
Do you know what these are?
They help CREATE wealth in systems.
Forward thinking design is an economic multiplier.
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I’ve written about ‘robust’ design before: It’s the kind of design that gives you options and is not particularly sensitive to rather large changes that might be normal.
The next few decades, people are going to be talking about ‘new normals’ because the world has changed.
In light of that (and just in thinking about responses if water levels continue to rise):
Will it be more practical to have gondola-like transport systems or elevated railways in certain areas?
Should some cities and/or neighborhoods be systematically raised?
Will weather channels start publishing topographic maps so people know where to park their cars (and themselves) when water levels rise? (Note: A locked vehicle in a dry area is the equivalent of a mini storage locker in the midst of a flood.)
Do any coastal cities around the world have the ability to become new ‘Venice’s’?
Will it be more practical in certain urban areas to grow plants on rooftops and floating and/or elevated platforms so the soil and plants can be protected from saline water?
When responding to flooding:
Should mini water treatment plants and solar powered composting toilets be on hand and in storage to be delivered anywhere they are needed?
Will the most current data be available for how to deal with soil contamination including the value of ultraviolet light (sunlight) for breaking down contaminants?: Residences, businesses, farms and public lands all have differing capabilities and equipment available.
Are salvage strategies readily available so everyone can minimize any losses they would sustain?
Is it possible to set up free laundromats for short periods of time so people can pull their lives together more easily?: Clean, dry clothes when a person goes to bed at night are particularly important.
In arid areas where coastal (saline) waters are not the problem, will greater effort be made to retain seasonal moisture?
Will we take into account the fact that radio signals and analog technology still work when digital technology fails but both have distinct advantages in the midst of an emergency?
Will we give young people the tools to respond to emergencies as part of their education?
Will we engage young people to help solve the problems which arise from any disaster knowing that they see the world in terms of the future they would like to create … not necessarily the world they currently live in?
Good design has always been an economic multiplier: Forward thinking design is an even better one.
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Some related articles:
(OPEN) No. 73 Camping in a house / retaining heat
(OPEN) No. 16 Dealing with a stalled car (go to end of article)
(OPEN) No. 19 & (OPEN) No. 88 The value of drainage swales, storage and rock dams (trincheras and gabions)
(OPEN) No. 22 Elevated living spaces
(OPEN) No. 65 Some thoughts about a hurricane response
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