The effects of the climate change will have devastating effects on the vulnerable coastal built environment as it has the ability of inundating the existing built environment due to direct threats to properties, infrastructures, coastal industries, coastal and marine ecosystems. Furthermore, coastal areas are known to highly populated due to urban centres being located near the coastal belts further increases the predicament. In light of this there is a vital necessity to develop tangible climate adaptation measures in the coastal built environments. However, there is a significant knowledge gap in relation to effective responses and adaptation measures to climate change impacts within the built environment as a whole as well as the construction and property industries. In addressing this it is essential to upgrade the knowledge and skills of the built environment professionals as they will be lead roles in this climate change adaptation process. In light of this the project aims to develop trans-disciplinary and innovative research-based learning in the built environment to tackle climate change in coastal regions and the following objectives have been set out. • To identify climate change impact on the built environment in coastal regions • To develop a coherent framework for integrating the requirements of the Paris Agreement with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR) in the context of the impact of climate change on the built environment in coastal regions • To recognise the opportunities for climate adaptation in the coastal built environment in line with the coherent framework • To understand skills gaps in climate adaptation in the built environment to tackle climate change in coastal regions • To develop a trans-disciplinary and innovative research-based learning to improve competencies in climate change adaptation in the built environment in coastal regions In terms of outputs, BEACON will first conduct a review of the climate change impact on the coastal built environment (O1). Based on the themes identified as part of O1, it will then draft the synthesis report on opportunities and constraints for integrating the requirements of the Paris Agreement with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR) in the context of built environment in coastal regions (O2). Opportunities and constraints identified as part of O2 will provide the basis for the development of a comprehensive framework for climate change adaptation in design, construction and retrofitting aligning with SDGs and SFDRR (O3). This framework will be beneficial for built environment professionals, clients, and policy makers in applying integrated and coherent adaptation measures during different phases of construction and retrofitting cycles. Furthermore, a guidance notes with case studies and good practices on implementing local adaptation strategies in the built environment in coastal regions will be developed (O5). BEACON will also identify the role of the built environment stakeholders in climate change adaptation in the built environment (O4) and associated skill gaps and mismatches will be evaluated (O6). Built environment professionals have to be well informed and capable enough to tackle climate change in coastal regions. Thus, it is important to identify the knowledge, skills and competencies to tackle climate change in coastal regions. The project intends to develop a trans-disciplinary and innovative research-based learning platform in the built environment to tackle climate change in coastal regions and the proposed competency framework (O7) will provide basis for the development of curricular of the proposed learning platform (O8). All these outputs will be developed through a rigorous scientific process and will directly contribute to the scientific theory of the domain. Based on these outputs, it is intended to produce a number of conference and journal papers and a journal special issue which will further enhance the knowledge-base. The output discussed above will not only benefit theory but due to the importance of the subject matter within Europe and beyond, it will provide an important contribution to the practice in tackling climate change in the built environment in coastal regions. It will further support in enhancing the knowledge-base of built environment professionals through a development of a trans-disciplinary and innovative research-based learning in the built environment. These outputs will inform policy and will provide direct input towards national and local governments, international organisations, non-profit organisations and built environment professional bodies to understand the issues related to climate change adaptation in the built environment in coastal regions.
In addressing the need for a multi stakeholder transdisciplinary approach in implementing climate change adaptation and building resilience in the built environment the BEACON project was carried out in fulfilling the following project objectives. • To identify climate change impact on the built environment in coastal regions • To develop a coherent framework for integrating the requirements of the Paris Agreement with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR) in the context of the impact of climate change on the built environment in coastal regions • To recognise the opportunities for climate adaptation in the coastal built environment in line with the coherent framework • To understand skills gaps in climate adaptation in the built environment to tackle climate change in coastal regions. • To develop a trans-disciplinary and innovative research-based learning to improve competencies in climate change adaptation in the built environment in coastal regions.
Climate change is one of the greatest environmental threats affecting all countries with almost no exception. Coastal areas are mostly affected by changes in temperature, precipitation, frequent flooding, sea level rise, tidal waves, and coastal erosion. The built environment demonstrates a high fragility and vulnerability to climate change impacts and strengthening the coastal built environment with an effective level of resilience is vital. Although there is an urgent need to translate awareness of climate change impacts into tangible adaptation measures, recent studies have shown that there are significant knowledge gaps in relation to both risks and the effective responses within the context of the built environment. Levels of preparedness in construction industry, in terms of having viable and sustainable climate adaptation plans are lagging and unsatisfactory. There is an urgent need for holistic education and upgrading the knowledge and skills in climate change adaptation to achieve a resilient built environment. In achieving this BEACON project concept aimed to build resilience to climate change impacts and associated disaster risk through a multi-stakeholder, multi-sectorial and trans-disciplinary approach.