KwaZulu-Natal Flood Disaster Update
A team of built environment experts consisting of the Council for the Built Environment, South African Council for the Architectural Profession, South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession, Engineering Council of South Africa, South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession, South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions, South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession and the entire built environment sector which includes South African Council for Planners, South African Geomatics Council, and the Environmental Assessment Practitioners of South Africa, accompanied the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) to Durban to perform high-level assessments of the KwaZulu-Natal flood disaster area on a voluntary basis. During the visit, it was ascertained that most of the affected buildings were suffering from a lack of maintenance issues exacerbated by the flooding. An implementation plan with realistic deadlines was crafted for the way forward to mobilise their restoration and/or rebuilding.
An invitation for the built environment professionals to volunteer their time, services and expertise to assist government was circulated to all built environment councils and voluntary associations. The invitation resulted in 256 professionals registering as volunteers. The DPWI is in the process of determining the way forward on deploying the volunteers.
Watch this space for regular updates on this project.
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