A civil engineer is tasked with designing a bridge over a river in a seismic zone. Which of the following considerations should be prioritized in the design process to ensure structural integrity and safety during seismic events?

A$)$ Maximizing the aesthetic appeal of the bridge design.

B$)$ Minimizing the construction cost to meet budget constraints.

C$)$ Selecting appropriate materials with high tensile strength and flexibility.

D$)$ Implementing redundancy in structural elements to withstand potential failures.

E$)$ Optimizing the bridge's weight distribution for efficient load$-$bearing capacity.