Climate Crisis

Climate changes underpin a great part of our global efforts today. It is a fundamental requirement for all of us to be conscious of its effects when designing for displacement. The past decade has marked a substantial uptick in both the frequency and magnitude of events - it is seemingly now a monthly occurrence to hear of a devastating wildfire or storm on the news, and while we cannot reasonably change Earth’s natural patterns and rhythms, we can certainly take measured approaches to our responses and preparations to mitigate potential disasters. 

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Climate Crisis

RESEARCH JUSTIFICATION

Climate changes underpin a great part of our global efforts today. It is a fundamental requirement for all of us to be conscious of its effects when designing for displacement. The past decade has marked a substantial uptick in both the frequency and magnitude of events - it is seemingly now a monthly occurrence to hear of a devastating wildfire or storm on the news, and while we cannot reasonably change Earth’s natural patterns and rhythms, we can certainly take measured approaches to our responses and preparations to mitigate potential disasters. 

Global Climate Incidence Map

Current Climate Outlook

Current Architectural Approach

Architecture has moved away from the vernacular. Our settlements are now huge cities built of steel and XXX. We cannot feasibly build cities from huge stone blocks anymore, despite how naturally resistant they are to climate disasters.

Today architecture has taken great strides to design sustainably and ethically, taking into consideration carbon footprints and material sourcing etc. This considers how we lower our impact ON climate change, but not how we design for everyday contexts for the effects of it.

The popularity of the international design style disregards the thoughtfulness required to design for specific climates and regions

Climate Change

humans did not create climate change, we accelerated its onset. The earth goes through natural cycles (supporting timeline showing this) that can cause such things. the fundamental difference is that this one is occurring during an age where humans have developed huge cities and infrastructure that is now at risk.

Recent Disasters & how they could have been avoided

big recent disasters that have showcased the weakness of architecture: hurricane catrina in north carolina that wiped out wooden houses (but left concrete structured untouched surprise surprise).

wildfires in california that light homes up in seconds because the infrastructure was inadequate and the houses were poorly designed for fire consideration.

floods in greece because it is a concrete jungle with nowhere for water to go.

Proactive Design

Earthquake case study

explain how japan was aware that the island laid on a tectonic fault line and therefore earthquakes were a natural part of their lives. As architecture shifted away from the vernacular, skycrapers and big steel buildings needed to be able to combat the effects of earthquake aftershocks etc. They dsigned balls under the buildings to move with the vivbrations rather than resisting them. It is now a standard addition to building regulations.

perhaps there was a specific disaster that encouraged them to put these technological advancements in place.

Future Role of Architecture

build in preparation for increasing cliamte changes and disasters. build ehtically and environmentally.

choose wisely where to build - put a bigger emphasis on forming long term communities and settlements in lower risk areas over consumer driven and short term development thinking. in this way you are designing for the future.

retrofit over building new. you reinforce existing areas and preserve the urban fabrics. existing systems may be more complicated and expensive to enforce, but they have a greater impact.