The disaster in Haiti

[Commercial Property Executive]

In some ways, the Haitian earthquake this week was a complete real estate failure. It's been estimated that 60 percent of Haitian buildings are not safe in the event of a natural disaster -- and unfortunately, this has been proven true.

Do you know of any place in the United States where buildings are particularly lacking in stability? What can be done in poorer regions to assure that infrastructure stays sound?

[Jean-Claude Goldenstein]

Thanks for bringing that up Sue. From Phuket to New Orleans to Minneapolis, no one can hide...

Since the news of the earthquake broke on Twitter yesterday, we have learned this was an enormously damaging quake, with the Red Cross now estimating deaths at over 100,000.

There are several worthwhile charities that would allow CREOpoint members to donate money — these are some of the better ones I am familiar with:

Doctors Without Borders

Habitat for Humanity

International Red Cross

If you are in the U.S., you can also donate $10 to the American Red Cross by texting Haiti to 90999. The amount will be added to your next phone bill.

Thanks, JC

[Bernhard Klein Wassink]

www.hopeforhaiti.com. Pls support. Three planes w supplies to H this weekend. Supported by GE Capital, Pepsi etc.

[Robert V Krueger]

Thanks for your post discussion question! To address one of your questions about what can be done with buildings lacking stability, this statement was just issued by the Urban Land Institute's CEO (my organization):

****** A message from ULI CEO Patrick Phillips*****

The devastating loss of life and vast property destruction resulting from the earthquake in Haiti is almost impossible for most of us to comprehend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti and to those around the world who are responding with rescue and recovery aid.

As this tragedy has unfolded in the past days, many of you have contacted ULI wanting to know how our organization can assist with the recovery and rebuilding effort. We can and will help.

For the short-term, ULI can play an important role through all of you. What Haiti needs first and foremost is recovery aid. I encourage you to give generously to the many organizations providing first response such as the Red Cross, World Vision, International Relief and Development, the various United Nations aid agencies, and the many other NGOs involved in this relief effort.

Ultimately, there will be a massive rebuilding effort that will take place in the months and years to come. ULI has regularly provided help, in the form of Advisory Service Panels providing strategic suggestions on long-term recovery, to communities hit by natural and man-made disaster. These advisory efforts are supported by the ULI Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, which has funded numerous panels addressing communities in crisis, including New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and Lower Manhattan after the events of September 11.

It is my belief that we can conduct a similar effort in Haiti at the appropriate time, when the focus turns from relief to recovery and rebuilding. Your support for the ULI Foundation Disaster Relief Fund can help in this regard. To make a tax-deductible contribution please click here (link to online contribution page).

Rest assured that we will call on our experts, our best practices, and our past efforts to work with others to help develop an integrated response for Haiti. ULI's strength lies in its ability to help communities as they prepare to rebuild, and we stand ready to contribute decades of land use expertise to the rebuilding of Haiti. Until then, I encourage you to help provide the resources to those best able to provide immediate aid.

Support the ULI Disaster Relief Fund: http://bit.ly/5Tx1D0

[Martin Skinner]

Hi all,

Another group that works on re-construction activities like those that will be required in Haiti is www.article-25.org.

It's a UK Surveyors charity.

Best regards,



:) Martin