Properties and characteristics of resilient systems a summary Table 15 presents a core dimensions of resilient systems based on the contributions of the various authors discussed in Chapters 4 and 5. The RAMSES project is aiming to distil a taxonomy of resilience indicators that include all of the characteristics above, in particular core resilience characteristics such as connectivity, adaptability and diversity that are generally still missing in existing approaches. Characteristic Description Adaptability, flexibility Capacity or ability to: change while maintaining functionality evolve adopt alternative strategies respond to changing conditions Connectivity, feedbacks, safe- failure Functional interdependence of system components and processes (Effect of change in one part of the system on other parts of the system). Capacity or ability to: absorb shocks absorb cumulative effects of slow-onset challenges avoid catastrophic failure if thresholds are exceeded fail progressively rather than suddenly fail without cascading impacts (domino effect) Dependence on local ecosystems Local control over services provided by local and surrounding ecosystems. Maintaining health and stability of green and blue infrastructure, providing: flood control temperature regulation Characteristic Description pollutant filtration local food production etc. Diversity Spatial diversity - Key assets and functions physically distributed to not all be affected by a given event at any time Functional diversity - Multiple ways of meeting a given need Learning, memory, foresight Individual and institutional. Capacity or ability to: learn from past experiences and failures use information and experience to create novel adaptations avoid repeating past mistakes accumulate, store, and share experience Performance How well does the system perform in its role? Functional capacity System quality Rapidity, responsiveness Following a disruptive event, the capacity or ability to: contain losses, including mortality and illness reorganise maintain and re-establish function reinstate structure restore basic order avoid future disruption Redundancy, modularity The capacity or ability to: substitute systems, or elements of systems buffer from external shocks or demand changes replace components with modular parts Resourcefulness The capacity or ability to: identify (and anticipate) problems establish priorities mobilise resources visualise, plan, collaborate and act Robustness The capacity or ability to: withstand a given level of stress or demand ...
