Tähtinen, L and Toivonen, S (2025) Expanding horizons: A framework for developing futures-oriented resilience in the built environment. Building Research & Information, 53(3), pp. 281-304. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
Resilience is increasingly prominent in the built environment (BE) research, emphasizing holistic thinking. However, the existing frameworks tend to be limited in their spatial–temporal scopes and often focus on a few known threats like climate change and resilience at narrow spatial scales. Hence, there is a need for a broader approach to prepare BEs for diverse future crises and engage stakeholders at multiple levels. This study aims to reinforce the current understanding of BE resilience with a spatial-temporally dynamic qualitative future studies-based approach. With the Futures Wheel method, this study engaged 179 experts across 58 multidisciplinary groups to explore how resilience evolves during possible crises. The study identifies 25 resilience development themes, categorized as (1) physical resilience, (2) institutional and organizational resilience, (3) critical infrastructure resilience and (4) psychosocial resilience. Findings reveal that there are overarching themes for developing resilience for numerous diverse threats in the BE, applicable to individual spaces and buildings, their spatial dynamics and broader spatial scales. The results build up the existing literature, offering insights for urban scholars to refine the resilience concept, and guiding policymakers, planners, architects and real estate professionals in formulating proactive and comprehensive strategies, checklists and vulnerability assessments for resilient BEs.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | built environment; crisis; resilience; risk management; urban; urban governance |
| Index terms: | urban governance, climate change, planner, future study, built environment, vulnerability, critical infrastructure, real estate, dynamics, strategy, organizational resilience, risk management, architect |
| Subjects: | urban planning, risk assessment, business, real estate economics, climate science, management, profession, research design and methodology, infrastructure and transport systems, environmental hazards, systems engineering |
| Topics: | Risk Management, Roles and Professions, Engineering Principles, Organizational Design, Urban Studies, Governance, Research Practice, Sustainability, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here