During the 68th Congress of the Order of Engineers of Italy, held in Siena, the Minister for Civil Protection, Nello Musumeci, emphasised the need for a radical change in the approach to earthquake risk management. In his speech, he highlighted how, in Italy, greater emphasis has been placed on post-earthquake reconstruction, neglecting prevention. This mentality has led to urban planning disconnected from civil protection, resulting in buildings that need to meet essential safety criteria.
The Government’s Commitment to a Culture of Prevention
Musumeci announced that the Meloni government is reversing this trend, putting prevention at the centre of public policy. A draft law for seismic risk prevention, which will soon be presented to the Council of Ministers, will introduce the ‘building file’, a crucial document for understanding where and how to intervene in an emergency. This step is a significant reassurance for the future of earthquake risk management in Italy. Furthermore, the Minister opened to the possibility of relocating areas affected by earthquakes, emphasising that it is sometimes necessary to build elsewhere to avoid further tragedies.
The Role of Engineers in Prevention and Reconstruction
Angelo Domenico Perrini, president of the National Council of Engineers, highlighted how prevention has been a priority for the category for years, thanks to studies demonstrating the economic effectiveness of such measures compared to reconstruction costs. Guido Castelli, extraordinary commissioner for the 2016 Central Italy Earthquake, praised the fundamental contribution of engineers in post-earthquake reconstruction. This process has led to the start of more than 20,000 construction sites, 11,000 of which have already been completed.
Commitment to seismic prevention is not only an ethical duty to protect human life, but also a promising opportunity to enhance the quality and sustainability of Italian infrastructure. Foundations such as Eucentre, with their two decades of experience in earthquake engineering, seismic research and prevention, are crucial partners in this journey, fostering innovation and safety culture through training and applied research.