A Resilient Building Design Framework for Climate Change Adaptation

Thesis Abstract

The increasing frequency and severity of climate change-induced extreme weather events pose a significant threat to the structural integrity, operational resilience, and sustainability of built environments globally. In particular, the rapid urbanization and aging infrastructure in many regions necessitate a comprehensive framework for designing resilient buildings capable of withstanding climate-related hazards such as flooding, heatwaves, hurricanes, and rising sea levels. This study aims to develop a resilient building design framework that integrates climate adaptation strategies into architectural, structural, and infrastructural planning to enhance resilience across various climatic zones. The specific objectives include identifying critical climate risks affecting building performance, evaluating current resilience-building practices, formulating an integrated design framework, and validating this framework through empirical case studies. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative strategies to ensure a comprehensive understanding of resilience in building design. The philosophical paradigm guiding the study aligns with pragmatism, facilitating the use of both descriptive and interpretative data. The population targeted encompasses architects, engineers, urban planners, and building developers involved in climate-sensitive construction projects across metropolitan regions with diverse climatic challenges. A purposive sampling technique is employed to select 150 professionals from professional associations, industry databases, and academic networks. Data collection instruments include semi-structured interviews, structured questionnaires, and field observations, developed and validated through expert review and pilot testing. Data analysis involves thematic analysis for qualitative data to identify recurring themes and patterns related to resilience strategies, and descriptive and inferential statistical techniques—such as multiple regression analysis and ANOVA—for quantitative data to examine relationships between resilience practices and climate risk variables. The analytical framework is guided by the Adaptive Cycle Theory and the Climate-Resilient Building Framework, which underpin the development of an integrated resilience model. The study will also employ Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to validate the conceptual framework, assessing its predictive capacity and internal consistency. It is anticipated that the findings will highlight key vulnerabilities in conventional building designs in the face of climate change, reveal gaps in existing resilience strategies, and demonstrate the effectiveness of an integrated design framework tailored to specific climatic risks. Preliminary outcomes suggest that incorporating green infrastructure, passive design techniques, adaptive materials, and flexible structural elements significantly enhances building resilience. The study is expected to contribute novel insights into the mechanics of resilience integration, offering a systematic, scalable framework applicable to diverse urban contexts. Moreover, it aims to fill the existing literature gap by explicitly linking climate risk assessment with design decision-making processes in resilient architecture. The main conclusion emphasizes that proactive, climate-sensitive design integrated within an adaptable framework substantially improves the resilience of buildings against climate change impacts. Based on the research findings, the study recommends the adoption of the proposed resilience framework by policymakers, urban planners, and the construction industry to ensure sustainable and adaptive urban development. It also advocates for continuous monitoring and updating of resilience strategies as climate patterns evolve, alongside further research exploring the socio-economic dimensions of resilient building resilience, especially in low-income and vulnerable communities. Overall, this research aspires to contribute to the advancement of practical, evidence-based resilience design paradigms that facilitate climate adaptation and sustainable building practices worldwide.