Planning for Resiliency

The discussion of court space ReFORM is not complete without considering how courts can promote a sustainable future through operations and the built courthouse environment. The potential sustainability impacts are multi-faceted and touch on many critical questions facing the courts. Examples of some important questions include: • How can court space be more RESILIENT in the face of emergencies and disasters of all types? • How can court space enhance the WELL-BEING of those who work in the courts and those who visit and are serviced by the courts? • How can court space be planned in an ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE manner to lessen its burden on the planet? • How can court planners leverage court reFORM principles to REDUCE COSTS of courthouse construction while ensuring the principles of resiliency, well-being, and environmental responsibility? As illustrated by the questions above, the concept of sustainability has different meanings. This section of the Report discusses how each of these meanings may be addressed by court space reFORM.

Today’s rapidly changing and shifting socio-economic and environmental landscape has created a constantly evolving climate. It is critical that future courthouse planning carefully considers how the concepts of resiliency and continuity of operations can be integrated into the built courthouse environment. Attention to building resilient courthouses will help ensure that the judiciary’s essential role as a cornerstone of our society and function of government may be maintained even in the face of severe emergencies and natural disasters.

As a part of any courts’ emergency preparedness and continuity of operations planning (COOP) strategy, it is critical that the planning of courts address the possibility of natural disasters and other emergencies. Planning for unanticipated emergencies is necessary for both new and existing courthouses. It should include provisions for both resilient court facilities and alternate facilities that may be used in the event when the primary facility is not operational.

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

6 Considerations for Resilient Planning

Providing adequate backup power infrastructure and fuel supplies for critical systems (including provision for IT systems and court functions.)

Introducing defensive site design and building location concepts to reduce potential threats, both natural and artificial.

Hardening of building exterior and site barriers where appropriate.

Locating critical infrastructure in safe locations.

Utilizing of cloud server platforms for critical systems and applications.

Identifying alternate facility locations and essential infrastructure needed for operations. (E.g., space for adjudication, offices, public accommodations, technology infrastructure, hardware and software systems, communications, power, security systems, etc.)