Abstract for: From Energy Resilience to Community Resilience: Exploring the Links between Infrastructure Services & Human Wellbeing

The resilience of infrastructure systems – “the ability to prepare for and adapt to changing conditions and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions,” – is of critical societal importance because these infrastructure systems “provide the essential services that underpin American society” (PPD-21, 2013). The value of infrastructure resilience (notably, grid resilience) to communities is demonstrated by the degree to which infrastructure resilience serves to bolster community resilience through the continued provision of the essential services that contribute to human wellbeing. However, while infrastructure resilience may be a vital component of community resilience, it is not the only driver of community resilience. The research will draw upon theories of community resilience and the various factors associated with community resilience to develop a System Dynamics model of the interconnected drivers of community resilience, examining the ways in which the processes of community resilience (i.e. the interconnections between technical, physical, and social factors associated with community resilience) contribute to the outcomes of community resilience (i.e. the ability of community members to achieve certain desired objectives). In particular, it will examine a system of community resilience wherein the desired objective is seen in the ability of community members to meet their critical needs following disruption events.