Almås, A J; Lisø, K R; Hygen, H O; Øyen, C F and Thue, J V (2011) An approach to impact assessments of buildings in a changing climate. Building Research & Information, 39(3), pp. 227-238. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
Future climate change caused by global warming could have dramatic consequences for the built environment. An approach is presented to understand and assess these impacts on the Norwegian building stock in a changing climate. The approach is tested using calculations for the decay potential in timber structures (possessing wood cladding, timber frames or both). First, building data and climate data are compiled in a Geographic Information System (GIS). Second, the computer model calculates the number of buildings that could be affected by a particular climate parameter for historical climate data (1961-1990) and a future climate scenario (2071-2100). The results show that today approximately 615000 buildings are situated in areas with a high potential risk of rot-decay. In 2100 this number could increase to roughly 2.4 million. The large current amount of wooden buildings and a high number of building defects indicates that future new and refurbished buildings need to be built more robustly to meet the future impacts of climate change. Other climate parameters, e.g. sea level rise, changes in permafrost, the risk of frost decay, temperature change and changes in the amount of wet winter precipitation - are under investigation for their effect on the Norwegian building stock.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | adaptation measures; building stock; climate change; impact assessments; Norway; robust buildings; rot-decay risk; timber buildings |
| Index terms: | geographic information system, cladding, precipitation, climate change, timber structure, investigation, impact assessment, built environment, wood, building stock, global warming, adaptation, Norway, winter, building defect |
| Subjects: | traditional and composite building materials, Geography, geographical techniques and analysis, asset management, infrastructure and transport systems, data collection methods, user focus, value management, climate science, sustainability and energy, building materials, professional practice |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Urban Studies, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Project Management, Construction Materials, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
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