BuildAction: Associations Pool Skills for the Greater Good
BuildAction: Associations Pool Skills for the Greater Good
By David Tuffin
Former RICS President
Professional associations have a long and proud history of encouraging their members to donate time and resources to deserving causes. From their unique position of independence, credibility and influence, professional associations can bring industry professionals and leaders together, mobilizing skills and knowledge to tackle major issues and make a big difference in the world. As a global professional organization with more than 145,000 members in more than 146 countries, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is well-positioned to do just this.
It is impossible to ignore the increase of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and tornados worldwide in recent years. Whether or not global warming is to blame, it seems no area is immune to natural disasters, and it is the world’s poorest communities that are often most affected.
Historically, RICS has been a forward-thinker in disaster management. One example of a RICS staff member working out in the field took place in the Gaza strip. The member, who is also a chartered surveyor, trained and supervised a team of local Palestinian surveyors in the use of modern survey hardware and software, including Global Positioning Systems (GPS). He also completed the large-scale mapping of several highly populated refugee camps, helped to implement the Peace Implementation Programme’s infrastructure reconstruction projects, and worked closely with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s legal offices in cadastre and land ownership disputes. In the highly volatile environment of Gaza, the member was required to display both technical excellence and social/economic/political sensitivity. The RICS survey office was the central geographical information hub for the UNRWA Gaza field office and the surveyor had to deal with security briefings - often in relation to Israeli Defence Force (IDF) movements, settlement issues, road closures, and land law issues. Additionally, the member worked closely with other international agencies on mapping, security, election monitoring, cadastral, and land disputes.
In the spirit of associations creating global initiatives for the greater good, RICS recently formed BuildAction, a disaster management initiative which aims to bring together building industry professionals and humanitarian workers to help vulnerable communities in developing nations around the world prepare for and recover from disasters.
Originating from an unprecedented need for post-disaster reconstruction skills after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, RICS formed the RICS Major Disaster Management Commission to address how built environment professional skills and knowledge may be deployed to help vulnerable communities at all stages of the disaster management cycle. BuildAction is the culmination of the Commission’s efforts to focus on the gap between when the humanitarian efforts subside and the rebuilding begins. This process begins just a few weeks after a disaster occurs.
Major humanitarian sector organizations such as the United Nations and World Economic Forum have been supportive and open to BuildAction because they recognize the need for an organized reconstruction effort, in conjunction with humanitarian initiatives, to ensure the full recovery of a community. After the initial food and medical aid tapers off lies the most important window for rebuilding and prevention – “building back better.”
In disaster-prone areas, it is vital that reconstruction efforts include preventative methods to reduce death and damage the next time disaster strikes. Many of the world’s developing regions lack basic building codes, and there are very simple, low-tech solutions that can be implemented to prevent such loss and damage in future catastrophes. Solutions can be as simple as securing the roof of a building with more than just gravity, or fastening desks to the ground in schools to create an emergency shelter to protect children.
With 17 diverse faculties represented by RICS membership, BuildAction will coordinate the skills of professionals working in the fields of planning, land surveying, quantity surveying/cost engineering, and others. Building surveyors are equipped to determine if a structure is sound or needs to be taken down in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, which can help to prevent many accidents during rescue and rebuilding. Land surveyors will be instrumental in determining boundaries. Planners are essential to ensure that viable and safe communities (not just random collections of buildings) are created. For example, building 200 meters back from the shore can make an enormous difference. Quantity surveyors specialize in managing projects and budgeting. One major problem of recovery aid is that a portion of the funds always seem to disappear. Quantity surveyors are called upon to manage money, to ensure that 100 percent of the funds are devoted to recovery, and to see that best value is achieved in the procurement of materials and labor.
It is no surprise that a majority of the interest and support behind BuildAction is coming from RICS’ younger members. BuildAction offers a character-building opportunity to young professionals, some of who will go on to pursue full-time humanitarian careers. Opportunities also exist for building and property-related companies looking to fulfill their corporate social responsibility and to recruit, retain and develop their staffs. Backing on an individual and corporate level for BuildAction has been incredible thus far. On the demand side, the humanitarian sector has no shortage of requirements.
The current challenge of BuildAction is to coordinate efforts, support and skills into a plan of responsible action. At RICS, we will spend the next year developing humanitarian training courses for built environment professionals. Our goal with BuildAction will be to train our skilled professionals in humanitarian efforts so we can have people working out in the field within a year.
With members located in all corners of the world and with a rapidly increasing membership in emerging nations, RICS is prepared to implement this global initiative. BuildAction is specifically tailored to the skills that RICS members possess. The program teaches members how to maximize their expertise and apply it in ways that most never dreamed of being able to do.
As the world shrinks, many associations have members based across the world offering an unparalleled global perspective on today’s issues. Associations have a chance to bring together top professionals to think outside of the office. It is the duty of an association to create opportunity for members and to be of service to the public. Associations do not need to look far for inspiration. It is within a skilled membership comprised of talent, drive and knowledge, that associations will find their strength and capacity to make a difference.
For further information, visit the RICS Build Action website:
www.rics.org/buildaction
By David Tuffin
Former RICS President
Professional associations have a long and proud history of encouraging their members to donate time and resources to deserving causes. From their unique position of independence, credibility and influence, professional associations can bring industry professionals and leaders together, mobilizing skills and knowledge to tackle major issues and make a big difference in the world. As a global professional organization with more than 145,000 members in more than 146 countries, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is well-positioned to do just this.
It is impossible to ignore the increase of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and tornados worldwide in recent years. Whether or not global warming is to blame, it seems no area is immune to natural disasters, and it is the world’s poorest communities that are often most affected.
Historically, RICS has been a forward-thinker in disaster management. One example of a RICS staff member working out in the field took place in the Gaza strip. The member, who is also a chartered surveyor, trained and supervised a team of local Palestinian surveyors in the use of modern survey hardware and software, including Global Positioning Systems (GPS). He also completed the large-scale mapping of several highly populated refugee camps, helped to implement the Peace Implementation Programme’s infrastructure reconstruction projects, and worked closely with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s legal offices in cadastre and land ownership disputes. In the highly volatile environment of Gaza, the member was required to display both technical excellence and social/economic/political sensitivity. The RICS survey office was the central geographical information hub for the UNRWA Gaza field office and the surveyor had to deal with security briefings - often in relation to Israeli Defence Force (IDF) movements, settlement issues, road closures, and land law issues. Additionally, the member worked closely with other international agencies on mapping, security, election monitoring, cadastral, and land disputes.
In the spirit of associations creating global initiatives for the greater good, RICS recently formed BuildAction, a disaster management initiative which aims to bring together building industry professionals and humanitarian workers to help vulnerable communities in developing nations around the world prepare for and recover from disasters.
Originating from an unprecedented need for post-disaster reconstruction skills after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, RICS formed the RICS Major Disaster Management Commission to address how built environment professional skills and knowledge may be deployed to help vulnerable communities at all stages of the disaster management cycle. BuildAction is the culmination of the Commission’s efforts to focus on the gap between when the humanitarian efforts subside and the rebuilding begins. This process begins just a few weeks after a disaster occurs.
Major humanitarian sector organizations such as the United Nations and World Economic Forum have been supportive and open to BuildAction because they recognize the need for an organized reconstruction effort, in conjunction with humanitarian initiatives, to ensure the full recovery of a community. After the initial food and medical aid tapers off lies the most important window for rebuilding and prevention – “building back better.”
In disaster-prone areas, it is vital that reconstruction efforts include preventative methods to reduce death and damage the next time disaster strikes. Many of the world’s developing regions lack basic building codes, and there are very simple, low-tech solutions that can be implemented to prevent such loss and damage in future catastrophes. Solutions can be as simple as securing the roof of a building with more than just gravity, or fastening desks to the ground in schools to create an emergency shelter to protect children.
With 17 diverse faculties represented by RICS membership, BuildAction will coordinate the skills of professionals working in the fields of planning, land surveying, quantity surveying/cost engineering, and others. Building surveyors are equipped to determine if a structure is sound or needs to be taken down in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, which can help to prevent many accidents during rescue and rebuilding. Land surveyors will be instrumental in determining boundaries. Planners are essential to ensure that viable and safe communities (not just random collections of buildings) are created. For example, building 200 meters back from the shore can make an enormous difference. Quantity surveyors specialize in managing projects and budgeting. One major problem of recovery aid is that a portion of the funds always seem to disappear. Quantity surveyors are called upon to manage money, to ensure that 100 percent of the funds are devoted to recovery, and to see that best value is achieved in the procurement of materials and labor.
It is no surprise that a majority of the interest and support behind BuildAction is coming from RICS’ younger members. BuildAction offers a character-building opportunity to young professionals, some of who will go on to pursue full-time humanitarian careers. Opportunities also exist for building and property-related companies looking to fulfill their corporate social responsibility and to recruit, retain and develop their staffs. Backing on an individual and corporate level for BuildAction has been incredible thus far. On the demand side, the humanitarian sector has no shortage of requirements.
The current challenge of BuildAction is to coordinate efforts, support and skills into a plan of responsible action. At RICS, we will spend the next year developing humanitarian training courses for built environment professionals. Our goal with BuildAction will be to train our skilled professionals in humanitarian efforts so we can have people working out in the field within a year.
With members located in all corners of the world and with a rapidly increasing membership in emerging nations, RICS is prepared to implement this global initiative. BuildAction is specifically tailored to the skills that RICS members possess. The program teaches members how to maximize their expertise and apply it in ways that most never dreamed of being able to do.
As the world shrinks, many associations have members based across the world offering an unparalleled global perspective on today’s issues. Associations have a chance to bring together top professionals to think outside of the office. It is the duty of an association to create opportunity for members and to be of service to the public. Associations do not need to look far for inspiration. It is within a skilled membership comprised of talent, drive and knowledge, that associations will find their strength and capacity to make a difference.
For further information, visit the RICS Build Action website:
www.rics.org/buildaction
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