About Aurora Barrett
A charismatic Undergraduate Real Estate and Planning Student.

Making Buildings self sustainable and resilient against the oncoming Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP).
EMP's have occurred and will reoccur in our generation due to the advancement of Military weapons and the potential for Nuclear detonation with North Korea; it was only September 2017 when the North launched threats to the United States about releasing such an attack.
Rather than just concentrate in the U.S, there has been a global threat of an EMP through terrorism; the Paris, London and German terrorist attacks have been a prevalent shock to our global economy; Western Europe is facing its biggest threat of malicious attacks from terrorist groups and the minority of the public that are inspired by them. Of course, there is also the case of natural disasters like a large power cut on a main power line, lightning strike or even a solar flare.
For the built environment an EMP would mean the collapse of our Smart cities; investors aims for automated vehicles and their 'perhaps' positive impact on Real Estate would collapse with technical difficulties and even cause damage to built open infrastructure. Developed technologies that we heavily rely upon would be damaged resulting in loss of data for Companies whom lease Office Space and when their unable to produce a fair value report on their accounts, the covenant strength of their lease and loan compliance could potentially lead to another financial crash. The maintenance of ordinary life in Residential properties would be lost being unable to operate electricity, gas and water. It would mean chaos for the masses because of the dependent attitude the built environment has taken to Real Estate.
In order to encourage the Well being factor of any building and raise the class of Energy Performing Certificates ratings so that there is not only proper insulation, those using the space provided can have confidence in their safety, there will be no added stress from data loss, or the inactivity of technology.There should be a set standard of making sure most buildings have access to their own solar panels for energy, automatic generators that cut off from the main power grid after storing a certain level of energy. Ensuring that energy will not be affected by an EMP. Ensuring that there is even an emergency water supply, to prevent the inconvenience of automated systems shorting out. Then there is the insulation of storage rooms that protect built in Back up data rooms for Office leased space.
Despite being more expensive surely occupiers will invest in the security and well being of their staff. Even Residential properties want to save costs of having to replace systems when an EMP is released.
This can also be resilient for the development of city blocks. One of the biggest fire safety checks have been conducted in Tower blocks because of the Grenfell Tower fire earlier this year another recommended form of insurance of safety is by having such EMP proof blocks that could prevent the problem of malfunctioning lifts that happened in the evacuation of the London Tower Block.
In conclusion Tomorrow's Challenge of EMP can be met with todays' buildings if they aim to establish grade A EPC and invest in self sustainable space.
Featured articles and news
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The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
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The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
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Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
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New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.