Adapting Buildings and Cities for Climate Change A 21st Century Survival Guide

From the bestselling author of Ecohouse, this fully revised edition of Adapting Buildings and Cities for Climate Change provides unique insights into how we can protect our buildings, cities, infra-structures and lifestyles against risks associated with extreme weather and related social, economic and energy events. Three new chapters present evidence of escalating rates of environmental change. The authors explore the growing urgency for mitigation and adaptation responses that deal with the resulting challenges. Theoretical information sits alongside practical design guidelines, so architects, designers and planners can not only see clearly what problems they face, but also find the solutions they need, in order to respond to power and water supply needs. Considers use of materials, structures, site issues and planning in order to provide design solutions. Examines recent climate events in the US and UK and looks at how architecture was successful or not in preventing building damage. Adapting Buildings and Cities for Climate Change is an essential source, not just for architects, engineers and planners facing the challenges of designing our building for a changing climate, but also for everyone involved in their production and use.

Preface; Acknowledgements; Climate change - the battle begins; The evolution of buildings; Risk, scenarios and climate change; How hot will it get?; Thermal comfort ; How wet will it get?; Wind storms; Sea level rises; Vulnerability, exposure and migration; Air-conditioning ? the ultimate solution?; Tall buildings; The fossil fuel crisis; Fuel security - when will the lights go out?; The players; Resilient buildings; Adapting Buildings for climate change; Adapting Cities for climate change; Adapting Lifestyles for climate change;

Sue Roaf is Professor of Architectural Engineering at Heriot Watt University and Visiting Professor at the Open University. She publishes widely on traditional; technologies, sustainable buildings, ecohouse design and adapting buildings and cities for climate change. She designed and lives in the Oxford Ecohouse, the first UK building with a photovoltaic roof and does much to promote resilient low impact buildings through the conferences she organises on Solar Cities, Carbon Counting, Architectural Education, Thermal Comfort and Post Occupancy Evaluation. She is currently co-chairing the Westminster and Scottish Carbon Accounting Groups with Colin Challen MP and Sarah Boyak MSP.