For decades, buildings were designed for a stable climate. That is no longer the case. Climate shocks are no longer anomalies but the new normal. In fifty years, natural disasters have multiplied, putting buildings and infrastructure to the test. The result is that construction has entered a new era. In recent years, two new concepts have emerged, providing both food for thought and a basis for action, to ensure that buildings no longer suffer from the climate but begin to evolve with it: adaptation and resilience. But what exactly do they mean? How do they differ? Above all, what do these concepts mean in practical terms for construction and renovation solutions? And how does decarbonization fit in to all this? ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE: WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? Adaptation means planning for the negative effects of climate change and taking appropriate measures to prevent or minimize the damage they may cause, or to take advantage of opportunities that may arise. So adaptation is not limited to responding to extreme weather events: it also involves rethinking the design, construction, and management of buildings to cope with gradual climate change (rising average temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, etc.). The resilience of a building is defined as the combination of its resistance, adaptability, and ability to recover from climate shocks and stresses. A resilient building is thus able to absorb shocks without losing its function. This resilience is based on 3 pillars: • Robustness: resistant to damage (reinforced structure) • Adaptability: continues to operate despite constraints (backup systems) • Recovery: quickly returns to normal (modularity, repairability) Hence in Miami (United States), the Miami Forever Bond program, passed in 2017, will ultimately raise $400m, nearly half of which ($192m) will be dedicated to resilience in the face of rising sea levels and flooding. With drainage pumps, infrastructure elevation, and protection of critical areas, the goal is to transform a city that is regularly threatened into a region that can continue to function even during extreme events. While conventional urban surfaces are impermeable and exacerbate flooding and the heat-island effect, TÅSINGE PLADS IN COPENHAGEN (DENMARK) does exactly the opposite, with its light-colored permeable paving stones that absorb water and reflect heat. In normal weather, it’s a square. During extreme rainfall, it becomes a retention pond. This dual purpose is becoming the norm in urban planning. Source: Adapting Buildings to Climate Change, Collaborative report from Arup & Saint-Gobain, 2025. Arup is an international consulting firm specializing in the built environment and operating in more than 130 countries. It guides, plans, and designs the future of the built environment, providing extensive technical and strategic expertise to its clients. SPOTLIGHT Adaptation and resilience: be proactive 47 46
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