"Built Environment” refers to the human-made environment that provides the setting for human activity, ranging in scale from buildings to cities and beyond. From the disaster risk reduction point of view, we can say this word as appropriate construction of buildings, cities, infrastructures and so on make it possible to mitigate damages during disasters and accelerate/ensure safer reconstruction.

We have a lot of tools to implement the "Built Environment". For example, the construction of safer new building needs, at least, as appropriate, the building code, land use plan and standard of construction materials in the public sector and expertise and engineers of construction/materials in the private sector.

In this way, the concept "Built Environment" plays a key role in reducing the risks of disasters. Also, promoting this concept contributes to the Sendai Framework; Priority 2, Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk and Priority 4, Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

UNESCO supports Member States build capacities of the local construction sector through workshops, training and publications of guidelines about the important role of construction to create a disaster resilient environment. In addition, UNESCO advocates for stronger, transparent building codes and practices.