Alternative format: The road to climate resiliency (PDF, 1.2 MB)
Building a future where buildings and infrastructure are resilient to the effects of climate change and extreme weather events
The National Research Council's Climate‑Resilient Buildings and Core Public Infrastructure Initiative, funded by Infrastructure Canada, has developed science‑based tools, codes, standards and guidelines to help ensure buildings and public infrastructure are designed and built to withstand the effects of climate change.
Goals of the Climate Resilient Buildings and Core Public Infrastructure Initiative
- Ensure the safety and health of Canadians
- Reduce construction, operational and maintenance costs of buildings and core public infrastructure
- Protect and improve resiliency of new and existing infrastructure
- Prepare for the future, prolong service life of buildings and core public infrastructure
Factors to consider
One third of core public infrastructure is in poor condition
$170 billion cost for repair and upkeep of core public infrastructure
Economic benefit
$12 saved for every $1 invested in new construction or retrofits adapted to climate change
Outcomes of the initiative: Forward‑looking climate design data
Update Highway Bridge and Building Code, and future climatic design data
Design and maintenance solutions that consider future climate conditions and extreme events
Decision‑support tools
Buildings: Design durable buildings that prevent overheating and have roofs resilient to extreme weather events
Bridges: Build new bridges to withstand future climate conditions, last longer, with extended service life. Satellite monitoring for inspection and proactive maintenance.
Guidelines
Roads: Adapt existing pavement and construction to climate change, new flexible roads and materials that require less maintenance and contribute less to greenhouse gases.
New testing methods and modelling
- Water/wastewater infrastructure: improve new and retrofit existing storm drainage infrastructure, water supply systems and sanitary sewer systems.
- Understand post‑flood economic and environmental impacts of cost benefit of green and grey storm drainage infrastructure.
New testing methods and modelling
- Water/wastewater infrastructure: improve new and retrofit existing storm drainage infrastructure, water supply systems and sanitary sewer systems.
- Understand post‑flood economic and environmental impacts of cost benefit of green and grey storm drainage infrastructure.
Updates to codes and standards
Rail transit
Adapt track systems to counter the effects of climate change: outdoor air temperature extremes, freeze/thaw cycles.
Benefit: improved safety, operation and passenger comfort.
Flooding
Design guidelines for flood‑resilient buildings: new buildings, retrofit/improve existing buildings, reduce flood risk in residential communities, basement flood protection and risk reduction.
Benefit: reduce the risk of flooding in new and established neighborhoods and lessen overall damage.
Coastal flooding
Protect against sea level rise and storm surge, guidance for stormwater systems, buoyant foundations, nature‑based shore protection system.
Benefit: reduce the risk of coastal flooding and erosion and improve coastal resilience.
Wildland urban interface fires
National Canadian guide: slow the spread of wildland fire through choice of materials, maintenance, landscaping. Hazard/risk mapping information that predicts impacts of climate change.
Benefit: 6:1 benefit‑to‑cost ratio and savings of $900 million/year.
Guide for adaptable housing for remote/Indigenous communities
Benefit: design for different climate conditions; prepare for even greater warming in the North; developed in partnership with the First Nations National Building Officers Association.
Changes to the Canadian Electrical Code
Benefit: safer and more resilient hydro lines.
The initiative has resulted in broad knowledge of adaptation materials and research; engagement and capacity to design and develop local solutions.
Design for resilience from the start: build back better to help the industry innovate, build capacity in small/remote/Indigenous communities, and to develop tools and education to create a culture of resilience.