CIB W120 Seminar - Building Resilient Critical Infrastructure Systems: Understanding Interdependencies and Climate Risks to Strengthen Disaster Resilience

Critical infrastructure systems, including electricity, water supply, transportation, healthcare, and communication networks, form the backbone of modern societies and are essential for economic stability, public safety, and community wellbeing. As natural hazards become more frequent and severe due to climate change, rapid urbanisation, and increasing system complexity, enhancing the resilience of these interconnected infrastructure systems has emerged as a critical global challenge.

This seminar explores the concept of critical infrastructure resilience and examines how disaster risks can be assessed, managed, and mitigated through risk informed planning and decision making. Particular attention will be given to the interconnected and interdependent nature of infrastructure systems, where disruptions in one sector can trigger cascading impacts across multiple sectors, amplifying the consequences of disaster events.

The seminar will also discuss the development of resilience assessment and planning frameworks using Dynamic Bayesian Networks, machine learning techniques, and system dynamics modelling. These advanced analytical approaches can support risk informed decision making, improve understanding of complex system interactions and interdependencies, and strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure systems in the face of evolving climate and disaster risks.

Drawing on case studies, the presentation will showcase emerging approaches to resilience assessment and planning while highlighting practical lessons for governments, infrastructure owners, engineers, planners, emergency managers, and policymakers. The seminar aims to provide insights into how resilience can be integrated into infrastructure planning and management to better prepare for natural hazards, climate related risks, and future uncertainties.

Date: Tuesday, 27th October 2026
Time: 6:00–7:00 PM (AEDT)
Format: Online (Zoom link provided upon registration)

Dr Chandana Siriwardana is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Built Environment at Massey University, New Zealand, and serves as the Construction Management Subject Lead. He also leads the Disaster Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation Research Group. His work has been published in leading international journals and presented at prestigious peer reviewed conferences worldwide.

With extensive experience in disaster resilience and construction management research, Dr Siriwardana has participated in several high impact international projects funded by Erasmus+ (EU), EPSRC (UK), and GCRF (UK). These initiatives have enabled collaborations with leading international experts, supporting the development of innovative solutions to address contemporary challenges within the built environment.

Among his notable achievements, Dr Siriwardana collaborated with the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka to adapt the World Health Organization's Safe Hospitals initiative, undertaking resilience assessments to enhance hospitals' capacity to withstand and recover from emergencies. He also evaluated Sri Lanka's early warning dissemination processes and worked with the Disaster Management Centre to develop a stakeholder coordination platform to support effective disaster response and crisis management.