Cascade effect
The cascade effect, (or cascading effect) is when an action or event causes a chain of subsequent unforeseen events, normally negatively, impacting one another. The word might be used with reference to a variety of systems from computer systems to ecological systems where an event in a system has a negative impact on other, related systems or sub-systems. Also referred to as knock-on effects or feedback loops.
In 2018 The World Economic Forum, in recognising the global risks, associated with extreme weather events, natural disasters, and failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes, described these as highly interconnected because they cascade across many different domains. A study released prior to COP 26 talks of climate hazards such as extreme heat, drought and storms that could trigger "cascading impacts" that may be felt around the world within the next decade.
A world where weather patterns impact access housing, food security, health services, economic activity and water supply, where previously perceived as disconnected elements, have now become connected systems cascading and being more significant jointly than separately.
NB In conventional power grids, cascading effects might occur for example when overloaded lines cause a line trip which in turn causes other lines to also trip, resulting in outages. (NESCOR, 2013).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
New and updated CLC building safety guidance.
New UK National Buildings Database.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief explanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.