Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment

[edit] Introduction

Climate resilience is a fundamental responsibility, due to rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. By designing with resilience and embedding resilience into every stage of planning and construction, professionals can future-proof communities and lead the transition towards a safer, more sustainable world.

This Technical Information Sheet provides a detailed introduction to climate resilience and adaption. Topics covered include planning and practices, regulations and standards, different effects of extreme weather due to climate change, and the roles of professionals to counteract these effects. This is suitable for a wide audience of built environment professionals who need to deepen their knowledge of this crucial topic.

[edit] Contents

• Introduction
• What is climate change and why does it matter to our profession?
• What are the consequences of climate change on the built environment?
• What are governments doing about it?
• What can we do about it?
• Planning and practices
• Regulations and Standards
• Roles of other professionals
• Selecting and using appropriate materials
• Property-level flooding
• Sustainable drainage
• Biodiversity and healthy ecosystems
• Drought and water shortage
• Wildfires
• Storm damage
• Extreme heat
• Energy demand and indoor air quality
• Heritage buildings
• Insurance and financial pressures
• Community engagement and social equity
• A future with digital technologies
• Managing Operational and Supply Chain Risks
• Climate-related priorities for the construction sector
• References

[edit] About the Author

Colin Booth is Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure for the School of Engineering, a Chartered Construction Manager, and the College Director of PGR Students at UWE Bristol.

Colin authored over 200 publications and also held prestigious roles, where he served as the Associate Head for Research and Scholarship in the School of Architecture and Environment (2012–2023), plus Director of the Construction and Property Research Centre, and a Director of the Centre for Floods, Communities and Resilience at UWE, Bristol.

He also held several Post-doctoral Research Fellowship posts (inc. Leverhulme) and he was a Reader for Construction Management and Civil Engineering; and held many posts in the UK and overseas.

His areas of expertise include Sustainability in the built environment; Environmental management (ISO14001) in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction sectors; Sustainable supply chains (BES6001); Flooding and Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS); Climate change adaptation strategies; Built environment studies; and Urban pollution.

CIOB members can access Technical Information Sheets for FREE and receive a 20% discount on our Codes and Guides. Your discount codes are in the members’ portal. ↗ If you experience difficulties accessing the portal, contact lis@ciob.org.uk.

This article appears on the CIOB Academy website as "Technical Publication Climate Resilience & Adaptation In the Built Environment" from February 2026.

--CIOB

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