How to Make Buildings Climate Change Resilient?

Climate change is a global issue that intensely affects various aspects of people’s lives, including the integrity and sustainability of buildings. The significant impact of climate change on buildings compels urgent attention and adaptation. The construction industry has found solutions to deal with the effects of climate change. Here are 5 ways to make buildings climate change resilient:

Heatwaves Resilient Buildings: Trees keep the surroundings cooler so, cities should opt for creating urban forests and green spaces to reduce heatwaves. Traditional housing designs, such as the optimum orientation of buildings, high-rise rooms, and large openings improve ventilation. Trombe walls - heavyweight structures of concrete, stone, or other heavy material capture solar heat. Green roofs and reflective surfaces can also reduce temperatures.

Drought Resilient Buildings: Rainwater harvesting and recharge systems capture water on buildings' roofs. They help store water during drought and reduce flood risk during heavy rains. The collected water can be stored in tanks and later used during droughts. Another cost-effective, nature-based way to address droughts and flooding is to plant trees or other vegetation around buildings. During heavy rainfall, the roots allow water to penetrate the soil and reduce the risk of flooding.

Coastal Flooding and Sea-Level Rise Resilient Buildings: Flood-resistant houses are constructed on pillars to allow floodwater to flow underneath. Another solution is to elevate buildings 2 meters above the ground, allowing water flow and wetland vegetation to grow underneath. One approach is to build a buoyant multi-purpose building that would rest on pillars with buoyant tanks that raise it during floods. The building would provide emergency shelter during floods and function as a community center.

Cyclones and Strong Winds Resilient Buildings: Round-shaped houses can be constructed to reduce the strength of the winds. Strong connections between foundations and the roof are mandatory to do so. Roofs with multiple slopes can stand well in strong winds. Additional structural damage can be avoided by constructing roofs that cover balconies or patios. This is called frangible architecture or the ‘planning for damage’ approach.

Cold Resilient Buildings: Adapting to cold and temperate climates requires capturing heat and minimizing heat loss. Insulations in roofs, walls, ceilings, and double-glazed windows help to minimize heat loss. Trombe walls absorb heat by day and radiate it out by night when it is colder. Green roofs that support plant growth on rooftops are used in many cities worldwide for cooling during summer and heating during winter.

It is crucial to include climate change projections in constructing significant and more complex projects. This contemporary approach ensures that buildings are resilient today and prepared for future climatic conditions. To ensure that buildings can tolerate and survive the changing climate, the construction industry is developing data pools, analytical techniques, and tools to support these forward-looking design considerations.