Resilience in the Built Environment

Flood at Rapidan dam site with roadway cut off

Extreme weather has the potential to significantly impact Minnesota’s infrastructure.

How is climate change impacting the built environment in Minnesota? 

Expand all

Temperature

Rising temperatures heighten energy demand for cooling — straining cooling systems and power grids, and increasing utility costs.1 Extreme heat and milder winters also affect the longevity and performance of building materials designed for colder conditions, resulting in premature deterioration2,3. Warmer temperatures contribute to increased invasive pest activity (e.g., termites4), weakening building integrity and demanding maintenance. Additionally, rising temperatures could cause shifts in local ecosystems and negatively affect green infrastructure, such as urban trees, which play a crucial role in providing shade and managing stormwater.5

Precipitation

Changing precipitation patterns impact water supply and quality, necessitating upgrades to water management infrastructure, such as stormwater drainage and storage, sewer systems, and treatment plants.5 Shifts in precipitation can also increase soil erosion and runoff, which in turn reduces soil stability and heightens flood risks.6

Extreme weather

Existing buildings may require retrofitting for protection against extreme weather, including stronger roofs and enhanced drainage.5 Transportation networks face disruption from flooding, excessive heat and winter storms, impacting accessibility and safety.5,7 Climate change is driving more extreme storms, which could cause utility failures like electrical and internet outages.5,8 

Expand all

References

  1. Attia, S. et al. Resilient cooling of buildings to protect against heat waves and power outages: Key concepts and definition. Energy Build. 239, 110869 (2021). 

  2. Taki, A. & Zakharanka, A. The Effect of Degradation on Cold Climate Building Energy Performance: A Comparison with Hot Climate Buildings. Sustainability 15, (2023). 

  3. Al-Shatnawi, Z., Hachem-Vermette, C., Lacasse, M. & Ziaeemehr, B. Advances in Cold-Climate-Responsive Building Envelope Design: A Comprehensive Review. Buildings 14, (2024). 

  4. Termite sensitivity to temperature affects global wood decay rates | Science. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abo3856. 

  5. Future Weather + Infrastructure. https://csbr.useast01.umbraco.io/media/knqo3sc1/futureweatherplusinfrastructure-finalreport.pdf?via%3Dihub

  6. Johnson, T. et al. A review of climate change effects on practices for mitigating water quality impacts. J. Water Clim. Change 13, 1684–1705 (2022).

  7. Neumann, J. E. et al. Climate effects on US infrastructure: the economics of adaptation for rail, roads, and coastal development. Clim. Change 167, 44 (2021). 

  8. Do, V. et al. Spatiotemporal distribution of power outages with climate events and social vulnerability in the USA. Nat. Commun. 14, 2470 (2023).