After the Storm: Infrastructure Resilience Needs a Modern Touch

Lisa Gonzales President & CEO HARC The nine county Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area is at a crossroads. Communities must think about going beyond just recovering from storms such as Hurricane Harvey. The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. is sponsoring this lecture on resilience as part of the Going Green Sustainability Lecture series. Our rapidly-growing region has been impacted by numerous flood, hurricane and drought events over the last decade, including three massive storms in the last three years alone. Science tells us that the future will likely bring more of the same. There are many resilience and adaptation strategies that include both gray and green infrastructure. Adoption of these strategies requires a new way of thinking, regional coordination on a number of levels, and development of new mechanisms to fund regional resilience efforts. As President and Chief Executive Officer of the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), Ms. Gonzales is responsible for the strategic direction of HARC and its research programs, which are designed to facilitate the sustainable management of air, energy and water resources. She is also active in research focusing on the analysis and dissemination of data concerning the health and productivity of Texas Gulf Coast bays, estuaries and watersheds. Those who attend will also enjoy learning about the many “green” features of HARC’s new building, currently the only LEED Platinum facility in the Woodlands, with energy saving solar and geothermal systems along with many other extensive low impact development features. ? This event is free and open to the public. Coffee and cookies provided.