The Resilience Dividend: Being Strong in a World Where Things Go Wrong

by Judith Rodin

Building resilience -- the ability to bounce back more quickly and effectively -- is an urgent social and economic issue. Our interconnected world is susceptible to sudden and dramatic shocks and a cyber-attack, a new strain of virus, a structural failure, a violent storm, a civil disturbance, an economic blow. Through an astonishing range of stories, Judith Rodin shows how people, organizations, businesses, communities, and cities have developed resilience in the face of otherwise catastrophic Medellin, Colombia, was once the drug and murder capital of South America. Now it's host to international conferences and an emerging vacation destination. Tulsa, Oklahoma, cracked the code of rapid urban development in a floodplain. Airbnb, Toyota, Ikea, Coca-Cola, and other companies have realized the value of reducing vulnerabilities and potential threats to customers, employees, and their bottom line. In the Mau Forest of Kenya, bottom-up solutions are critical for dealing with climate change, environmental degradation, and displacement of locals. Following Superstorm Sandy, the Rockaway Surf Club in New York played a vital role in distributing emergency supplies. As we grow more adept at managing disruption and more skilled at resilience-building, Rodin reveals how we are able to create and take advantage of new economic and social opportunities that offer us the capacity to recover after catastrophes and grow strong in times of relative calm.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Sustainability, History, Psychology, Politics, Cities

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2014

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a practitioner in the field of climate change resilience, I was thrilled to find such a timely book on the topic. This is a great book for anyone wanting to learn how cities everywhere are thinking about how they can avoid disastrous consequences through resilient thinking. Most of the book is laid out in chapters explaining the five characteristics of resilience, which are: aware, diverse, integrated, self-regulating, and adaptive. Rodin then takes case studies that illustrate why each characteristic is important. Instead of telling the case study whole, it is brought up when it is relevant to the chapter. For example, Hurricane Sandy is brought up many times throughout the book.

My one qualm with this book, and the Rockefeller Foundation in general, is that resiliency is used to describe how businesses and individuals can bounce back too, from any setback. Maybe I'm narrow in my thinking, but to me resiliency (as a theory) is more appropriate for thinking about how to strengthen ourselves in the wake of climate change. I feel that all the other stories detract from the importance of the theory used in this context. However, I was able to learn more this way and jotted down notes throughout. Perhaps other stories of resiliency can help expand my thinking for how to be a better climate change planner! I hope to see more books like this in the future, but Rosin was well poised to write this one.

[Anthony Cheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rodin makes a classic nonfiction mistake in 'The Resilience Dividend' -- too many examples and not enough argument. The core ideas are solid but the book drags when it gets into research-dump mode. I would have liked more conclusions/takeaways and fewer historical details about Medellin, the SF earthquake, etc.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provides overall view of a select few disasters, recovery from them, and the lessons learned along the way. Lacked detail about the inner workings of each scenario, both in the details of the incidents and recovery from them. At times it felt like a victory lap on behalf of the Rockefeller Foundation rather than a preparation guide for if/when trying times present themselves in other scenarios. Also expected more from the angle of how local people in each scenario were better prepared if left to their own devices rather than rely on infrastructure the next time disaster strikes.

[Michael Espinoza · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the themes of this book and the case studies. However, I thought the writing was a bit lengthy. It was difficult to stay interested over the duration of the book. You could skim the middle and focus on the first and last chapter and get a solid understanding of the book and it's suggestions for building a resilient community / city.

[Amie Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I straight up thought this was one of those personal resiliency books ala brene brown style. And part way through the intro i was getting cheesed thinking the examples she was getting into were really trite.

OH BOY was I glad to realize it was a book about cities and disasters and disaster management theory. Which I'm super into but wasnt thinking I'd signed up for that.

Super good book about disaster management with good theoretical backing.

[Erik Gaull · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read book for anyone in emergency management, disaster risk reduction, urban planning, or business. Rodin's clear writing and mastery of the subject matter make for an easy and engaging read. She presents a clear case for making investments in resilience and thereby reaping the "resilience dividend." I highly recommend this book.

[Judy Kugle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. Especially in 2017. Floods in Houston, earthquake in Mexico City, and fires in CA. Three places I have called home! Anyone who doubts stuff happens needs to read this. It is a wake up call for all of us.

[Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to resilience. The book shines most in the first half where it discusses theoretical foundations of resilience thinking. The second half focuses more on case studies, which although still interesting, do not reach the level of the first half of the book.

[Kirill · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many obvious thoughts about need for preparation for crises

[Moe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great kind of “manual” if you will for demonstrating and initiating resiliency, but it kind of read more like a manifesto to me in a way instead of as learning material.

[Ann Erhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

While slightly dated (2014), the content resonates for anyone looking to learn more about implementing a resiliency project in their community.

[Yvo Hunink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find my review here:
https://www.regenstudio.world/post/in...

[Jordan Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important and well written book. About ten years old, but still very relevant.

[Sivananthi T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really looked forward to reading this book since resilience is an oft-touted word today. In a world of climate-change and globalisation, resilience is something that many experts feel will help salvage communities and nations. For most part Rodin does a good job explaining the concepts, and the frameworks so that the reader has a clearer idea of the resilience paradigm.

She brings together some good examples of social resilience which happened post-disaster, along with some which I feel are newer and hence not proven to bring about the dividend.

Interestingly enough, the better examples were when both local government and citizens were able to mobilise and bring back together the community; but the question then goes unanswered - who then invests in building resilience? Towards the end Rodin brings that businesses invest in cities and communities which demonstrate resilience strategies, but then does not explain how businesses can then be an equal stakeholder along with local governments and citizens, in building resilience. This of course, in ensuring that their business investments do not flout environmental protection laws, and labour laws; and ensure their workers are able to unionise, and contribute to society and to community politically and socially. That could perhaps ensure the loop to ensure resilience.

[Mike Bushman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resilience is an underrated capability, both individually and organizationally. Through a plethora of examples, the author drives home the point that companies and governments which consciously identify and develop plans to survive unusual events and catastrophes better prosper over the long term. I would have been interested in an exploration of what drives bureaucratic complacency in large organizations, along with warning signs and additional methods of overcoming such complacency. There is also an opportunity to more thoroughly outline how resilience can be built into organizational strategic planning processes. Still, the book provides enough examples to trigger readers' thoughts and allow us to develop our own approaches. Worth the time to read.

[Daniel Palevski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book uses a number of local disasters, both historical and recent, and reviews how various communities deal with the trials and tribulations that follow major disruptions. It argues that measures to build resiliency and stronger communities benefit the communities' abilities to withstand major disruptions and ultimately be better off for it.

The author references systems thinking to finding better ways to improve a community's resiliency in the long-run.

The stories used about recent and historical disastrous events are compelling in their historical nature, as case studies for building resiliency, as well as the human element that comes with them.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book's topic - how we can prepare our communities for the onslaught of climate change, and other natural and human-made crises - is right in my wheelhouse. But it was no mere work read. It was chock full of fascinating case studies and a broader discussion about not just the mechanics of planning for the future, but how to *think* about what's ahead. If you're interested in a smarter future in the face of enormous risk, and what's happening around the world, this is a very worthwhile read.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book about the need to build resilience in our infrastructure, environments, and communities to face the growing challenges of climate change, urbanization, and globalization. A bit heavy on the jargon and bureaucratic side, but offers some interesting examples and advice. Aimed more at those in industry and government focused on this field

[Kathryn Godfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive treatment of some of the most important interconnected concepts in this century. I have talked to people who have been dismissive because of Rodin's tendency to promote herself, her friends, and Rockefeller, but I did not think that it distracted from the book's important messages and compelling treatment of an issues that public, private, and individual alike should be considering.

[Michael King · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good primer on the concept of resilience that includes a number of interesting examples of how communities have "bounced forward" from past disasters and disruptions. As the author says, the hardest thing in the world is to be proactive, but this book works to change our mindsets and help us reap the rewards of a more resilient approach to politics, planning, and the environment.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Felt more like a laundry things of how different groups of people bounced back from difficult circumstances. Which, to be fair, is what is technically the definition of resilience, but the thesis of the book was pretty much summed up in a chart on one of the pages of the book. So, you can save the time reading it and just read the chart.

[Hom Sack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the subject is interesting, the book is longer that I'd preferred. Nevertheless, the advice is good on a society level and would benefit those mostly in urban planning but less so individually.

[Fanona · Rating 2 out of 5]

part 8 finally starts getting to the point. overall I would like to read a book on this subject that is done better.