ABOUT PROJECT
PROJECT BACKGROUND

The climate change that we observe today brings new threats in the form of frequent extreme phenomena in many regions of EU: heat, torrential rains, urban flash floods or violent storms. These phenomena can no longer be treated as exceptional. In many EU regions they have become the norm, and the frequency of their occurrence in each season is gradually increasing. The consequences of these phenomena constitute significant costs: financial, asset damage, health&safety, environmental and huge damage to reputation.

In terms of the architecture-climate relationship, of strategic importance are large-scale commercial buildings. They are the most extensive in terms of area and number of objects. This group includes such facilities as: shopping centres, airports, warehouses, logistic centres, etc. Characteristic for these objects are: large area & cubature, solid structure, large surfaces of walls, facades and roofs, large glazing, large sealed parking lots and often extremely low biologically active area in surroundings. The properties listed above place these objects in the group of the highest risk of climate change hazards such as heat waves, flash floods, droughts, storms, etc. and make them more vulnerable to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect.
Adaptation to climate change is the process of adapting to current and future climatic conditions and their effects in order to increase the resilience of infrastructure and processes against the negative effects of climate change.

OBJECTIVES OF THE LIFE ARCHICLIMA PROJECT

The overall goal of the project is to increase the climate change resilience of large-scale commercial buildings (shopping canters, airports etc.) by developing and implementing the innovative ARCHICLIMA system for: (1) vulnerability/risk assessment, (2) adaptation planning and application of blue-green infrastructure and ecosystem-based approaches. These facilities are key hotspots for climate hazards in the urban tissue.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

  1. Archiclima METHODOLOGY To refine executive path of assessment and to train the staff.
  2. Archiclima ASSESSMENT To perform vulnerability/risk assessment of 32 large-scale commercial buildings in EU with particular focus on precipitation-related phenomena like: torrential rains, urban floods, droughts etc. (ARCHICLIMA_assessment).
  3. Archiclima PLANNING To carry out tailored climate adaptation plans for 32 existing large-scale commercial buildings in EU to transform them into “sponge-facilities”. This includes: technical design (architecture, sanitary system, landscape, roads, etc.), management training, business plans (implementation staging, financial plan & financing plan), plan for monitoring and response. Plans will be accepted by facility managers
  4. The “RESILIENT” label To introduce, validate and disseminate novel labeling system for buildings that pass the assessment’s thresholds. The system will be validated by independent competent bodies. ≥16 buildings will be awarded.
  5. Archiclima DEMO To implement and demonstrate complex tailored adaptation measures in one existing commercial facility (KATOWICE AIRPORT) with best practice in blue-green infrastructure and ecosystem-based approaches. This will include implementation of monitoring of the adaptation impact on: assets, operation/maintenance, costs, safety/health/wellbeing, environment, social and reputation.
  6. ADAPTOPEDIA To collect and facilitate access to best practices in CCA in an online opensource whitepaper tool
  7. To disseminate results among stakeholders i.e. to provide them with consistent information on CCA in commercial buildings and effective tools for adaptation planning.
  8. to build acceptance and to accommodate blue-green infrastructure and ecosystem-based approaches among users of commercial buildings (e.g. shopping centers clients, airport passengers) and in general public. Thus to facilitate social pressure on decisionmakers.
  9. to replicate, transfer and mainstream of ARCHICLIMA services in EU i.e. Archiclima_assessment, Archiclima_planning, RESILIENT label

ACTIVITIES PLANNED AS PART OF THE PROJECT

 

  1. Archiclima METHODOLOGY
    The method consists of 4 practical steps. We will refine the final procedure and integrate subjects of assessment. This also includes the methodology on how UHIs are to be mitigated. UHI evaluation will cover both external and internal factors. After approval of the procedure, project staff will go through methodology use training.
  2. Archiclima NETWORK
    The coalition of entities will be initiated which are focused on adaptation of facilities. 32 facilities which represent various case studies will be selected to join the project. Agreements will be concluded with facility managers. A number of stakeholders will be involved in the project framework.
  3. Archiclima ASSESSMENT
    32 facilities will be assessed for their vulnerability/risk with focus on precipitation and temperature related hazards: torrential rains, droughts, heat etc.
  4. Archiclima PLANNING
    Tailored adaptation plans will be elaborated for 32 existing facilities and accepted by their managers.
  5. “RESILIENT” label
    New green label will be prepared to award facilities which pass assessment’s thresholds. The label will be validated by an independent body. Patronages will be acquired.
  6. Archiclima DEMO
    Tailored adaptation measures will be implemented in one demo facility i.e. Katowice International Airport with application of ecosystem-based solutions (blue-green). This is to verify ARCHICLIMA_assessment and planning in practical application, demonstrate selected solutions and to monitor the direct impact on-site.
  7. MONITORING
    Measures will be introduced to monitor the impact of the project on: assets maintenance, operational costs, safety & health, environment, etc. Monitoring measures will be introduced to facilities and maintained after LIFE project.
  8. ADAPTOPEDIA
    A methodical recognition of best practice in climate adaptation in facilities in the EU will be performed. Adaptopedia, an online catalogue will be launched to disseminate best available adaptation solutions.
  9. Dissemination among stakeholders and local communities
    Involvement of key stakeholders is essential. Dissemination strategy is focused on reaping direct benefits of blue-green investments and equipping with tools for rational adaptation planning. In facilities, activities targeted to users have been planned (customers, tenants, passengers, etc.)
  10. MAINSTREAMING
    An After-LIFE action plan will be prepared to replicate, transfer and mainstream Archiclima’s new services in European Union countries. This applies in particular to: (1) Archiclima_assessment, (2) Archiclima_planning and (3) the Resilient label.

 

SCALE OF THE IMPACT OF THE LIFE ARCHICLIMA PROJECT (RESULTS)

During the course of the project, four new services / tools will be developed

 

  1. Archiclima ASSESMENT
  2. Archiclima PLANNING
  3. “RESILIENT” label
  4. ADAPTOPEDIA
Project scope
  • Archiclima will cover 32 large facilities
  • The managers of 32 sites will accept the agreed adaptation plan prepared within Archiclima
  • Katowice Airport will implement selected nature-based solutions to increase its resilience
  • At least 16 properties will be awarded the RESILIENT label
  • 10 more facilities will be commercially contracted (i.e. outside of the funded LIFE project) for Archiclima services or the RESILIENT label
Promotion and education among target groups
  • 32 workshops for the facility managers (attendance: 32 x 15 attendees)
  • 3 conferences (attendance: 3 x 100 attendees)
  • 6 workshops for designers, engineers, developers, construction investors (attendance 6 x 20 attendees)
  • Active participation in 6 industry events in the European Union (fairs, conferences, etc.)
  • 100 individual meetings with facility managers
Promotion and education among users of facilities and local communities
  • 32 events and educational campaigns aimed at customers, passengers and tenants of the facilities covered by Archiclima
  • Allocation of 5 mini-grants for the best local initiatives that will involve local communities and many accompanying actions.
  • 32 publications in the media
  • At least 16 sites will display educational boards explaining the blue-green solutions used in the facility. Each of the 32 objects will display a LIFE board.
  • 3 promotional videos