MIAMI BEACH, Florida — Leaders from across the infrastructure, finance, architecture, and technology sectors gathered Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Disaster Relief Expo Miami for a roundtable discussion examining how communities can strengthen resilience against natural disasters and climate-driven risks.
The round table, held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., brought together experts working on the front lines of resilient development and disaster recovery planning.
Moderating the discussion was Aris Papadopoulos, Acting Founding Chair of the Resilience Action Fund (RAF), who guided panelists through topics ranging from infrastructure investment to long-term resilience planning.
Panelists included:
- Rives T. Taylor – Global Resilience Research Lead and Principal at Gensler
- Thomas Hoban – President and Chief Investment Officer at Kitson & Partners
- Patrick Murphy – Managing Director at Renco
- Andy Kruger – CEO of BuildSos Inc.
A Focus on Long-Term Infrastructure Resilience
The discussion highlighted the growing need for cities, developers, and governments to move beyond reactive disaster response toward long-term resilience planning.
Panelists emphasized that population growth in coastal regions and expanding urban infrastructure require stronger planning models that incorporate climate risk, advanced engineering, and better financing structures.
Topics explored included:
- How architecture and urban design can improve disaster resistance
- The role of private capital in funding resilient infrastructure
- Technology platforms that assist emergency coordination and recovery
- Strategies for strengthening housing and community resilience
- New block technology created by Renco that eases new construction builds with less manual labor and no crane needed.
Speakers also noted that resilience planning must increasingly be integrated into every phase of development, from design and engineering to long-term operational planning.
The Role of Investment and Private Sector Collaboration
Several panelists pointed to the critical role of investment capital in accelerating disaster resilience projects.
Private sector developers and investors are beginning to factor long-term climate risk and disaster exposure into project planning, particularly in high-growth regions vulnerable to hurricanes, flooding, and extreme weather.
Participants stressed that public-private partnerships may play a central role in scaling resilience infrastructure across the United States and internationally.
Technology and Data in Disaster Response
Technology platforms designed for real-time emergency response and coordination were also discussed as an emerging component of disaster resilience strategies.
Panelists noted that modern communication tools, predictive modeling, and infrastructure monitoring systems could significantly improve response times and recovery outcomes following major disasters.
These systems are increasingly being used by governments, emergency response teams, and private infrastructure operators to manage complex disaster events.
A Global Conversation on Resilience
The roundtable was part of the broader Disaster Relief Expo Miami, a multi-day event bringing together emergency management professionals, humanitarian organizations, government agencies, and private sector innovators focused on disaster preparedness and recovery.
With climate volatility and infrastructure vulnerability becoming major global concerns, events like this expo are increasingly seen as key forums for collaboration across industries.
Organizers say the goal is to help communities better prepare for the challenges of future disasters through innovation, investment, and coordinated planning.
Video Coverage
Reporting by Presence News from the Disaster Relief Expo at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
