At the N.Y. Fed: Managing the Risk of Catastrophes—Protecting Critical Infrastructure in Urban Areas. James Orr, Rae Rosen, Max Livingston, Kaivan K. Sattar, and Eric Ster.

“On November 1, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York hosted the conference “Managing the Risk of Catastrophes—Protecting Critical Infrastructure in Urban Areas.” Superstorm Sandy caused significant damage and destruction of a broad range of property—telecommunications, gas, and electrical utilities; bridges, roads, tunnels, and mass-transit facilities; and, in many parts of the region, local businesses and single and multi-family housing. The disruption of economic activity in the lives of our region’s residents was widespread, and highlighted the need to examine ways to limit adverse effects of future extreme-weather events. This post reviews the conference and provides links to interviews with some of the conference participants, who are among the world’s leading experts in this area. Click on the participant’s name to be taken to the post-conference interview with that expert and on the highlighted key words to be taken to his or her presentation.”