MIAMI, Fla. — As rising seas, flooding, and environmental pressures continue to reshape South Florida, local leaders from government, construction, and real estate gathered Wednesday for a forward-looking conversation on climate resilience.
The event, titled “Building for the Future: Shaping Climate-Resilience,” was hosted by the Miami Herald at the new MSC Cruises terminal at PortMiami. It brought together experts to discuss how smart government policies, thoughtful urban design, and innovative new building materials can help communities withstand environmental challenges while ensuring clean water, healthy air, and sustainable growth.
Panelists included Hector Silva, CEO of Privé Advisory Group; Amy Knowles, Resilience Officer for the City of Miami Beach; Patrick Murphy, Executive at Coastal Construction; and David Martin, CEO of Terra Group. The conversation was moderated by Miami Herald climate reporters Alex Harris, Denise Hruby, and Ashley Miznazi.
“This is not just about construction — it’s about how we reimagine the way South Florida grows,” said Amy Knowles. She emphasized that resilience planning requires collaboration between local government and private developers to ensure new infrastructure can adapt to extreme weather and rising water levels.
Patrick Murphy noted that innovation in building materials and methods is just as critical as public policy. “Smart construction, coupled with forward-looking design, gives us the tools to create communities that can thrive in the face of environmental change,” he said.
Terra Group CEO David Martin added that the private sector must also be proactive in addressing long-term sustainability. “If we want to protect our communities, we must combine resilient construction with investments in clean energy, efficient transit, and sustainable housing,” Martin said.
The event was hosted at MSC Cruises’ new terminal at PortMiami, a fitting location as seaports face some of the most immediate risks from climate change. Richard E. Sasso, Chairman of MSC Cruises North America, welcomed attendees and underscored the importance of corporate involvement in resilience efforts.
Partners for the event included PortMiami and the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, organizations working to align economic growth with environmental sustainability.
The discussion was inspired by the Miami Herald’s ongoing “Building for the Future” series, which explores how South Florida can balance rapid growth with climate adaptation. Recent reports have highlighted the risks posed by sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion into drinking supplies, and more frequent flooding in coastal neighborhoods.
“This is a pivotal moment,” moderator Alex Harris said during the discussion. “What we do now — how we build, where we build, and how we adapt — will determine the quality of life for generations of South Floridians.”
With billions of dollars in infrastructure investments on the horizon, panelists agreed that resilience must be a cornerstone of every project. They stressed that adapting to climate change will require not only technical solutions but also political will, community engagement, and long-term vision.
The event concluded with a call for South Florida leaders to “build smarter, stronger, and more sustainably” — ensuring that future generations inherit a region equipped to thrive despite mounting climate challenges.
Originally reported by Jane Wooldridge in Miami Herald.
.webp)
