The problem of protecting the built environment in earthquake-prone regions of the world involves not only the optimal design and construction of new facilities, but also the upgrading and rehabilitation of existing structures and infrastructures.  The latter is a laborious and expensive task, which can be accomplished only gradually.  However the inestimable loss of life and the colossal costs following a major earthquake in a metropolitan area, provide sufficient reason to make it an important challenge for the scientific and technical community.

ERES 2009 is the Seventh International Conference in the series and the topics include:  Earthquake resistant design, Seismic behaviour and vulnerability, Structural dynamics, Passive protection devices, Seismic isolation, Site effects and geotechnical aspects, Development and application of passive anti-seismic systems, Bridges, Lifelines, Material characterization, Experimental studies, Numerical simulation.