Climate Change: Case Studies of Resilient Vertical and Horizontal Projects-Climate Change and the Built Environment

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This document, edited by Patricia B. Gary and Lisa L. Churchill, addresses the critical issue of climate change and its effects on the built environment, focusing on challenges, legal considerations, and professional practices. It highlights that buildings and construction contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 39% with operational and embodied carbon emissions playing vital roles. The urgency to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 to limit warming to 1.5°C is emphasized, requiring collaborative mitigation and adaptation strategies.<br /><br />The text underscores the evolving scientific understanding and societal awareness of climate change from early greenhouse effect theories to contemporary issues involving extreme weather events, sea level rise, and their economic and social consequences. Legal frameworks and risks for design professionals and contractors in addressing climate-related impacts are discussed, including the limitations of current building codes based on historical data and the increasing importance of incorporating climate resilience into design standards.<br /><br />Several project delivery methods are reviewed, highlighting how integrated approaches like early contractor involvement (e.g., Construction Manager at Risk, Design-Build) can enhance sustainable and resilient outcomes. The importance of clear contractual allocation of risks, insurance considerations, and professional standards of care underpins successful climate adaptation projects.<br /><br />Case studies demonstrate practical applications: <br />- The Whitney Museum's flood mitigation after Superstorm Sandy used updated water levels exceeding codes to design adaptive flood barriers.<br />- The US 34 Big Thompson Canyon Flood Recovery in Colorado adopted innovative resilient planning with benefit-cost analysis to prioritize emergency access restoration post-disaster.<br />- Boston's North End integrated updated climate resilience design standards to elevate parklands mitigating future flooding.<br />- The Lake Delton case in Wisconsin detailed rapid recovery after a catastrophic flood breach, reinforcing sustainable infrastructure.<br />- Asset managers increasingly incorporate resilience considering evolving climate risks in infrastructure portfolios.<br />- Living systems approaches in stormwater management highlight natural and hybrid solutions for inland and coastal resilience, including urban green infrastructure, stream restoration, and sediment diversion in Louisiana’s coast.<br /><br />The document stresses moving beyond traditional static designs to flexible, adaptable, and multi-benefit systems, advocating for interdisciplinary collaboration, improved governance at watershed scales, and enhanced regulatory frameworks to address climate uncertainty effectively and equitably. The integral role of design professionals in innovating and advocating for sustainable, resilient built environments is highlighted as central to confronting the escalating challenges of climate change.

Keywords

climate change

built environment

greenhouse gas emissions

net-zero carbon

climate resilience

building codes

sustainable construction

flood mitigation

integrated project delivery

stormwater management