Climate change preparedness across sectors of the built environment – A review of literature

Cities (built environments) produce a significant proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions, making a significant contribution to climate change. They are home to the majority of the world's population and economic activity yet face increasing risks from climate change impacts. Thus, it is critical that those involved in producing and managing built environments are prepared for climate change. This paper presents a review of literature focused on two key components of professions and professional practice across the built environment sectors urban planning, construction, property, and design (architecture, landscape architecture, urban design): 1) barriers to and facilitators of climate change action (mitigation and adaptation); and 2) climate change preparedness. Barriers to and facilitators of climate change action were found to vary across sectors, with some overlap. A limited understanding of preparedness to address climate change action was found across the sectors reviewed. These findings are important. A limited understanding of climate change preparedness across these sectors may limit capacity to achieve global goals such as the Paris Agreement which seeks to limit global warming to 1.5 oC, and to be well adapted to the changes that will occur. Significant social and economic impacts could result from a lack of preparedness. The published research reviewed lacked a holistic and integrated view of: the built environment; and of climate change action within it. It is recommended that these gaps in research and practice are addressed to facilitate effective climate change action in cities, to avoid further economic, social and environmental impacts of climate change.