Design The design of infrastructure components relies on the historical climate data
and usual assumptions, governing the discipline. Generally, design codes do not
make any provision for a possible frequency and/or intensity increase of climatic
risks or even new climate hazards. For example, if there is less soil absorption (more
buildings, being one reason) of rainfall, this will entail higher water flows in drainage
channels which would surely imply larger drains. Seawalls constructed higher to
safeguard against sea-level rise and storm surges, may be useful, but could they act
as a well-designed trap, if the sea does get inside? (Mandelbrot and Hudson (2005),
see also Chap. 12.)
It should be useful to consider climate and possible variations during the design
stages as this may help to improve resilience to climate hazards and incremental
climate change, and to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the use of
green roofs can enhance the passive cooling of buildings and improve rainwater
management. At the same time, this concept will reduce energy use and costs.
Although the initial costs may be higher, such investments in more resilient design
will also reduce larger future expenditure (maintenance, repair and replacement
costs). This approach can only be introduced through significant changes to building
codes or other relevant standards.
Composition The maintenance of the materials comprising the various types of
infrastructure also affects their sensitivity to climate hazards. With the passage of
time, as materials age, their properties do change, either due to stresses during use or
even because of nonuse. The context of climate variability and change, compounds
this susceptibility of materials to natural breakdown and weathering over time.
The type of material forming part of the structure also affects the exposure of
infrastructure to more incremental climatic changes. For example, as Mauritians who
have been able to transit through buildings made of straw/grass, timber, corrugated
iron sheeting, or concrete can attest, these different materials are able to provide
passive cooling to decreasing degrees. This surely is important when climate change
seems to indicate rising temperatures.
Age Old and overextended infrastructure is more likely to be prone to the negative
impacts of climate change. All other factors remaining constant, (ceteris paribus),
older infrastructure is, in general, most vulnerable than new ones. Thus, climatic
events will have more impact on an old deteriorating building than on a new one. But
through proper maintenance and repairs, the Eiffel Tower is still standing more than
a century after its construction. All the tower components have been over-designed
to ensure maximum strength against wind forces. Surely, some foresight about
climate change!
Maintenance and replacement costs usually increase with the age of the infrastructure. In face of climate change, this should increase even more drastically.
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and usual assumptions, governing the discipline. Generally, design codes do not
make any provision for a possible frequency and/or intensity increase of climatic
risks or even new climate hazards. For example, if there is less soil absorption (more
buildings, being one reason) of rainfall, this will entail higher water flows in drainage
channels which would surely imply larger drains. Seawalls constructed higher to
safeguard against sea-level rise and storm surges, may be useful, but could they act
as a well-designed trap, if the sea does get inside? (Mandelbrot and Hudson (2005),
see also Chap. 12.)
It should be useful to consider climate and possible variations during the design
stages as this may help to improve resilience to climate hazards and incremental
climate change, and to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the use of
green roofs can enhance the passive cooling of buildings and improve rainwater
management. At the same time, this concept will reduce energy use and costs.
Although the initial costs may be higher, such investments in more resilient design
will also reduce larger future expenditure (maintenance, repair and replacement
costs). This approach can only be introduced through significant changes to building
codes or other relevant standards.
Composition The maintenance of the materials comprising the various types of
infrastructure also affects their sensitivity to climate hazards. With the passage of
time, as materials age, their properties do change, either due to stresses during use or
even because of nonuse. The context of climate variability and change, compounds
this susceptibility of materials to natural breakdown and weathering over time.
The type of material forming part of the structure also affects the exposure of
infrastructure to more incremental climatic changes. For example, as Mauritians who
have been able to transit through buildings made of straw/grass, timber, corrugated
iron sheeting, or concrete can attest, these different materials are able to provide
passive cooling to decreasing degrees. This surely is important when climate change
seems to indicate rising temperatures.
Age Old and overextended infrastructure is more likely to be prone to the negative
impacts of climate change. All other factors remaining constant, (ceteris paribus),
older infrastructure is, in general, most vulnerable than new ones. Thus, climatic
events will have more impact on an old deteriorating building than on a new one. But
through proper maintenance and repairs, the Eiffel Tower is still standing more than
a century after its construction. All the tower components have been over-designed
to ensure maximum strength against wind forces. Surely, some foresight about
climate change!
Maintenance and replacement costs usually increase with the age of the infrastructure. In face of climate change, this should increase even more drastically.
286
10 Climate Change and Infrastructure