Emerald | Structural Survey | Table of Contents

Evaluative application of UKCP09-based downscaled future weather years to simulate overheating risk in typical English homes

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - To critically compare three future weather year (FWY) downscaling approaches, based on the 2009 UK Climate Projections, used for climate change impact and adaptation analysis in building simulation software.Design/methodology/approach - The validity of these FWYs is assessed through dynamic building simulation modelling to project future overheating risk in typical English homes in 2050s and 2080s.Findings - The modelling results show that the variation in overheating projections is far too significant to consider the tested FWY datasets equally suitable for the task.Research limitations/implications - It is recommended that future research should consider harmonisation of the downscaling approaches so as to generate a unified dataset of FWYs to be used for a given location and climate projection.Practical implications - If FWY are to be used in practice, live projects will need viable and reliable FWY on which to base their adaptation decisions. The difference between the datasets tested could potentially lead to different adaptation priorities specifically with regard to time series and adaptation phasing through the life of a building. Originality/value - The article investigates the different results derived from future weather year application to building simulation. The outcome and implications are important considerations for research and practice involved in future weather year data use in building simulation intended for climate change adaptation modelling.

Towards an overheating risk tool for building design

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The work set out to design and develop an overheating risk tool using the UKCP09 climate projections that is compatible with building performance simulation software. The aim of the tool is to exploit the Weather Generator and give a reasonably accurate assessment of a building’s performance in future climates, without adding significant time, cost or complexity to the design team’s work. Design/methodology/approach - Because simulating every possible future climate is impracticable, the approach adopted was to use principal component analysis to give a statistically rigorous simplification of the climate projections. The perceptions and requirements of potential users were assessed through surveys, interviews and focus groups.Findings - It is possible to convert a single dynamic simulation output into many hundreds of simulation results at hourly resolution for equally-probable climates, giving a population of outcomes for the performance of a specific building in a future climate, thus helping the user choose adaptations that might reduce the risk of overheating. The tool outputs can be delivered as a probabilistic overheating curve and feed into a risk management matrix. Professionals recognised the need to quantify overheating risk, particularly for non-domestic buildings, and were concerned about the ease of incorporating the UKCP09 projections into this process. The new tool has the potential to meet these concerns.Originality/value - The paper is the first attempt to link UKCP09 climate projections and building performance simulation software in this way and the work offers the potential for design practitioners to use the tool to quickly assess the risk of overheating in their designs and adapt them accordingly.

Evaluation of climate change adaptation measures by Dutch housing associations

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Martin Roders, Ad Straub, Henk Visscher) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - Research into climate change adaptation measures has resulted in the identification of 155 such adaptation measures that contribute to making the built environment more climate resilient. These measures mainly focus on new construction. This paper assesses the feasibility of the measures for the existing social housing stock in the Netherlands.Design/methodology/approach - Interviews were conducted with 12 property managers and policy staff members from Dutch housing associations. The interviewees judged 21 measures that were designed to adapt dwellings to heat-related problems caused by climate change, and they also answered questions regarding their awareness of climate change and regarding the feasibility of the measures.Findings - Low awareness of climate change adaptations, the financing of the measures and the technical complexity of adaptation measures are perceived barriers to implementation. Several possibilities to remove these barriers are discussed.Research limitations/implications - The sample of 12 interviewees provides valuable insight into the opinions of a select group of policymakers from housing associations. The judgments were made based on the personal experiences and expectations of the interviewees.Originality/value - This paper provides valuable insight into the opinions of policymakers and decision-makers in Dutch housing associations on climate change adaptation measures in the existing building stock. These insights will be of use for policymaking at the local and national levels directed towards creating a resilient building stock.

Assessment of Sea Level Rise Adaptation Options: Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making Approach Involving Stakeholders

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The Gold Coast is a low-lying coastal Australian city and many residential areas are subject to 1:100 year flood events. Evidently, there is a need for the city to adapt to sea level rise by developing more effective policies to reduce its destructive impacts. Thus, the purpose is to identify and evaluate preferred adaptation alternatives to reduce the vulnerability to sea level rise and storm surges. Design/methodology/approach - In this research, we explore stakeholders’ opinions for adaptation alternatives to adapt to the impacts of sea level rise. As part of exploring alternatives to improve Gold Coast’s resilience to climate change effects we are undertake a multi-criteria analysis by using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The goal, criteria and adaptation alternatives were derived, and based upon, adaptation programs, existing adaptation works by local governments, and an extensive literature review. The final AHP structure was developed after further consultations with three local stakeholders (Politicians, Experts and Residents). Findings - The results show that across the three stakeholder groups, Effectiveness and Sustainability are the criteria of highest priority, respectively. When considering adaptation alternatives, the highest priority for Politicians and Residents is Improving Building Design whilst for Experts Improving Public Awareness is of most importance.Research limitations/implications - While the present research involved the stakeholders prioritising their options for the decision-making process, the study did not explore the reasons underlying stakeholders’ decisions. Therefore, future research is needed to analyse the relations between the decision making and the stakeholders’ behaviour and attitude. Additionally, the economic and social costs related to SLR and SS were not addressed by the current study, as these areas did not fit within the research scope. Future research could investigate the cost of adaptation, such as land values, and loss of income, etc. Practical implications - The novelty stemming from this research lies in the utilisation of MCDA approach for adaptation assessment. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first time that assessment of adaptation alternatives have been incorporated into decision making to develop adaptation strategies in a coastal area of the Gold Coast, Australia. Thus, in terms of taking a particular technique (MCDA) and applying it in a new area, the proposed approach demonstrates a high degree of scientific rigor and contributes original theoretical insights, as well as technical originality.Originality/value - The AHP provides a straightforward approach to evaluate the adaptation alternatives from multi stakeholders’ perspectives. Advantages are its versatility in application to coastal processes and its inclusion of the multiple stakeholder in the decision making process.

Integrated Suburban Neighbourhood Adaptation due to Climate Change: Local stakeholders’ views on potential pathways for change.

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This paper presents new research on the potential pathways for integrated adaptation that could make England’s suburbs more resilient to future climate conditions. It focuses on the role of central government, local agencies and householders in making adaptations to the built and natural environment.Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses evidence from three facilitated workshops run with built environment and policy professionals associated with climate change adaptation in three cities in England: Oxford, Bristol and Stockport. The workshop contributions are presented in relation to the potential role that central government, local agencies and residents could play in adapting suburbs. Findings - Central government, local agencies and householders form an interconnected network of agents responsible for adaptive action in suburbs. Professional and institutional stakeholders expect central government to take a lead and ensure planning policies and building regulations support effective adaptation. However, those local authorities and agencies that are expected to offer leadership locally do not have the resources to make adaptation happen on the ground. Overall, the stakeholders in this research believe that effective adaptation in suburbs may only happen once householders and government have experienced worsening climatic conditions. This could be a very costly stance in the long term.Originality/value - This paper provides empirical evidence on how stakeholders engaged in suburban adaptation are making changes now, and on how they envisage change in the future. It reveals clearly the challenges involved in integrating mitigation and adaptation actions and highlight the complexities around implementation on the ground.

Build Back Better Principles for Post-Disaster Structural Improvements

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Sandeeka Mannakkara, Suzanne Wilkinson) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This paper aims to inform stakeholders involved in post-disaster reconstruction how to incorporate Build Back Better (BBB) principles when implementing structural design improvements to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in the rebuilding process. Design/methodology/approach - Literature review was used to establish BBB principles required for post-disaster structural changes. The application of these principles was then tested in the Indian Ocean Tsunami reconstruction in Sri Lanka, and the Victorian Bushfires in Australia. Qualitative data was collected in each country by conducting interviews with stakeholders from Governmental authorities, and non-Governmental and community-level organisations who were directly involved in recovery activities along with other documentation. Results were compared to understand how/to what extent BBB principles were applied and their implications, to finally determine the applicability of these principles in different environments.Findings - Proposed BBB principles for post-disaster structural changes from literature were grouped under: Building Codes and Regulations, Cost and Time, and Quality. Principles such as multi-hazard based building codes, education and support for communities, long-term funding and quality assurance through inspections were applicable in both case studies. Experiences in Australia and Sri Lanka also presented a few extra principles to add practicality based on local contextualisation. These included avoiding high risk lands using buy-back/land-swap schemes, incentives to attract skilled builders, and the use of comfortable temporary accommodation to relieve time pressures. . Research limitations/implications - The study does not look into detail at the administrative, regulative and social systems which contributed towards the inability of the built environment to withstand the respective hazards. A general understanding of these systems was gained and taken into consideration when analyzing the results. The findings show that despite the differences found between Australia and Sri Lanka the relevance of the principles for structural improvements remained intact.Practical implications - The Government, engineers and building practitioners involved in reconstruction will benefit from learning from the experiences of others, and understanding how implementing structural changes can be done more successfully by applying BBB principles. Originality/value - This research takes a unique look at how BBB principles drawn from international experiences can be incorporated when implementing structural changes in post-disaster rebuilding to further improve the outcome.

Adaptation to future climate, developing a built environment that meets the needs of today but is resilient and robust to an uncertain future.

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Not available.