Adapting to improve performance Infrastructure now incorporates increased resilience as from the design stage. From the Boston waterfront in the United States to the extreme heat of Cairo in Egypt, two projects illustrate how climate adaptation is becoming essential to long-term performance. PORTFOLIO REMAINING OPEN DURING STORMS _ Located on the Boston waterfront (United States), Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital has been designed to cope with increased risks of flooding and coastal storms. The building is elevated above the hundred-year flood level (the flood level that has a 1% probability of occurring, or being exceeded, in any given year), while the mechanical systems have been installed on the roof to ensure they continue to function in the event of flooding. Greened roofs limit rainwater runoff, mitigate the heat island effect, and help reduce cooling requirements. The reinforced envelope and high-efficiency equipment improve the continuity of use of the site during extreme weather events. NOT FALTERING AT 45 °C _ The automated monorail in Cairo (Egypt) is one of the largest public transport projects of its kind in the world. From the outset, the design had to take account of local climate conditions, characterized by significant annual temperature variations of up to 45 °C. This constraint directly influenced the choice of concrete mixes used for the piles and viaducts, to ensure controlled implementation and consistent performance over time. The use of suitable superplasticizers made it possible to secure the pouring phases, maintain the consistency of the concrete despite the heat, and reinforce the durability of a structure that will be in service for several decades. 58 59
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