Big 5 InFocus | Edition 7

Hello, and welcome to the next issue of Big 5 InFocus!

Climate change is not a future challenge; it's our present reality. So, this month, we’re tackling the topic of resilient design and its role in adapting to climate change.

This is of course a global issue with localized effects. The Gulf experienced unprecedented storms and floods in April 2024. According to multiple reports, the UAE received the same amount of rainfall in one day as it would typically see in a year and a half, marking the largest rainfall in 75 years. Research has shown that floods have accounted for one-third of related economic damages in the last four decades [Dalila Loudyi & Sameh A. Kantoush (2020) Flood risk management in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Urban Water Journal, 17:5, 379-380, DOI: 10.1080/1573062X.2020.1777754].

How can we strengthen cities' defenses against the threat of flooding?

We chat with Dr Alex Opoku, PhD FHEA MCIOB FRICS from the Department of Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering at the University of Sharjah, UAE, on the efforts to create more resilient and liveable cities:

In the past, rural and poorly planned urban areas lacking proper stormwater infrastructure were vulnerable to floods caused by natural events like river surges or heavy rains. Today, even well-designed cities face similar challenges, underscoring the widespread effects of climate change.

To delve deeper into the topic, Dr Alex Opoku, PhD FHEA MCIOB FRICS sets the scene for us: “The impact of climate change is resulting in extreme rainfall with increased frequency and intensity of flooding. Global warming is making extreme rainfall events in dry regions such as UAE and Oman intense, causing disruption to infrastructure and basic services. The need to design, deliver and maintain infrastructure systems that are robust and adaptable to climate change with minimal disruption to essential services is critical. Resilient infrastructure with lower emissions can respond to the negative effects of climate change such as heatwaves and flooding.”

What are some regional examples of successful resilient infrastructure projects?

Dr Alex Opoku, PhD FHEA MCIOB FRICS highlights examples of quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure:

King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Saudi Arabia

Taking the natural environment into consideration, the masterplan for KAEC focuses on being pedestrian-friendly, using a wadi system to manage flooding rather than canals, easy connectivity to the Kingdom’s major cities and more.

Lusail City, Qatar

Meanwhile, in Qatar, Lusail City’s landscape was designed to protect the areas’ natural habitat and promote biodiversity. 

Smart Muscat project, Oman

Moving to Oman, the Smart Muscat project – due for completion in 2045 – has been designed to minimize the area’s ecological footprint and will respond and react to the local climate.

What critical steps can we take to ensure urban environments are prepared for future climate risks?

Dr. Alex Opoku, PhD FHEA MCIOB FRICS shares some of the steps the construction industry can take when working on infrastructure projects:

1. Adopt innovative architectural and engineering techniques in the design and construction of Smart Drainage Systems, which integrate sensor technology to generate real-time data
2. Adopt Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) that enhance the resilience of the built environment to disasters and climate change
3. Develop designs that balance the proportion of hard and soft surfaces
4. Incorporate disaster-resistant features and use technology that enhances structural resilience while selecting construction materials and techniques for resilient infrastructure

The planning and development of cities with resilience features can adapt to changes in climate, protect nature and offer a high-quality life to residents, notes Dr Alex. Building sustainable and liveable cities is a collaborative journey, bringing together all the players in the urban transformation value chain. So, here’s a question for us:

What strategies could we adopt to ensure our urban environments are prepared for upcoming challenges?

We are set to answer this question and many more at Big 5 Global and its specialized events including HVAC R Expo, Heavy, Totally Concrete, Marble & Stone World, Urban Design & Landscape. This year, these events will be co-located with LiveableCitiesX, GeoWorld and Future FM 2024, creating a major annual gathering where people collaborate, driving forward sustainable urban development and showcasing the latest innovations in construction. Through these events you will gain invaluable insights from thought leaders, explore the latest solutions and network with peers who share your vision for a better future.

Thousands of city changemakers from all over the world will join these crucial conversations and learn how to make our cities resilient and sustainable.

We look forward to seeing you there and shaping the future of our cities together.

Bye for now. 👋 Thank you for reading!

P.S: Save the dates below. 👇