The Adverse Impacts of Climate Change on Infrastructure and Proposed Adaptation Framework for Residential Structures: Part 1

Abstract

With global change in climate patterns, the uncertainty of natural hazards has also gone up significantly in the last few years. Cold countries have been experiencing seasons of extreme heat and drought whereas dry and arid areas have reported seasons of cold weather or torrential rains. In the past, monsoons in the Indian subcontinent have been very reliable in terms of timing and intensity; however in recent times, both their timing and intensity have been uncertain. Elsewhere in the world, tragic incidents have been reported due to freezing, heat waves or flooding most of which have been attributed to climate change caused by human living and industrialization on our planet. In this paper, the authors introduce to the perils of climate changes caused by rampant urbanization, industrialization, and the associated development. The authors present the importance of adapting every phase of infrastructure development such as materials, engineering, design, construction, and maintenance of our residential structures in order to minimize the impacts of human infrastructure development on climate. The various adaptations required to bring these changes are proposed and methods to make these adaptations practical are put forward. This first part of the overall study focuses on geometric, material and design adaptations. A plausible framework for creating sustainable urban residential infrastructure is proposed. Finally, conclusions are made, and a brief introduction is provided about the next part of this study and further adaptations that complement this framework.