How Can Design Make Climate-Resilient Buildings?

• This animated video and article summarize the UN Environment Programme's guidance on creating more resilient buildings to reduce the impacts of extreme weather.
• Students will learn about a variety of engineered and nature-based solutions to help buildings withstand severe heat, floods, and wind caused by climate change.

Positives

• The video concisely presents information using animated graphics. It effectively summarizes the key points of a longer, more dense publication on climate-resilient building and design.
• The video and article present a solutions-based and action-oriented approach to discussing climate hazards, which may be encouraging to students who feel overwhelmed by the issue of climate change. 
• Links to related videos and resources are included at the bottom of the webpage.
• Some of the solutions include increasing coastal habitats like mangroves and flood plains, as well as designing structures in a way to withstand more extreme conditions.

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should understand that climate change is causing more extreme weather events and hazardous coastal conditions.

Differentiation

• Consider having students brainstorm ways to build more climate-resilient communities before watching the video. Students could even complete a design challenge using diorama construction materials with simulated flood or wind conditions.
• Students who are not familiar with physics or engineering design could benefit from experimenting with some of the solutions presented in the video by engaging in hands-on simulations or demonstrations.
• To explore this topic further, check out this video on nature-based solutions or this text on Naturally Resilient Communities.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.