As the impacts of climate change intensify globally, the built environment is increasingly vulnerable to climate-induced hazards, most notably flooding. Rising sea levels, more frequent and severe rainfall events, and inadequate stormwater infrastructure have led to a significant rise in urban and coastal flood risks, threatening infrastructure integrity, public health, and economic stability. The design and operation of buildings, infrastructure, and urban systems must therefore evolve to address these growing threats through climate-resilient and adaptive strategies.
Concurrently, the construction sector is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by rapid technological advancements, the integration of digital tools, and a growing emphasis on sustainability. Innovations such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital twins, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and off-site construction methods (e.g., Modern Methods of Construction) are redefining how infrastructure is conceived, delivered, and maintained. These emerging technologies not only improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness but also offer unprecedented opportunities for predictive modeling, risk analysis, and real-time climate responsiveness in construction and urban planning.
This convergence of innovation and necessity has created a new frontier for research and practice, where smart construction technologies and resilient design principles can be jointly leveraged to mitigate climate impacts. In flood-prone regions, for instance, adaptive building materials, nature-based solutions, and intelligent drainage systems are being integrated into urban infrastructure to reduce vulnerability and enhance recovery capacity. Additionally, policy frameworks, procurement models, and interdisciplinary collaboration are evolving to support the deployment of such innovative, resilience-driven solutions.
This Research Topic seeks high-quality, original contributions at the intersection of construction innovation and climate adaptation, with particular emphasis on strategies to enhance flood resilience and sustainability across the built environment. It aims to highlight how novel technologies, materials, and project delivery approaches can not only respond to climate-induced risks but also advance the global transition toward more adaptive, low-carbon, and inclusive urban futures.
• Resilient Materials and Infrastructure: Flood-resistant and sustainable building materials; nature-based solutions and green infrastructure; water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) • Climate-Induced Flood Risk Response: Design for flood-prone urban and coastal areas; flood risk modeling and integrated early warning systems; community-based flood resilience strategies • Policy, Strategy, and Governance: Climate-smart procurement and delivery models; interdisciplinary collaboration in construction; regulatory adaptation for resilience; socioeconomic dimensions of flood resilience • Data and Decision-Making: AI and geospatial data for flood risk analysis; predictive modeling and risk-informed construction; digital platforms for monitoring and adaptation
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Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
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