As the world’s climate changes, many places are experiencing higher temperatures, changes in precipitation levels and snow patterns leading to overall drier conditions. This is altering soil moisture and humidity levels, drying out forests and shrubs. As a result, places like Australia, the western United States and Greece are experiencing longer fire seasons and an increased intensity and frequency of wildfires. Recent wildfires have devastated towns, scorched the natural landscape and endangered wildlife habitat.
The changing climate has required us in architecture, landscape architecture, urban and environmental planning, and other design-related professions to rebuild and plan our communities in ways that prioritize climate resilience and climate justice. Climate resilience demands we recognize the interconnected relationship between built and natural environments and plan to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Climate justice requires we acknowledge the adverse impacts climate change can have on vulnerable populations. Combining both climate resilience and climate justice in our professions is often a challenge. We can learn, however, from communities who face the effects of climate change, and its uneven impacts, in their daily lives.
UVA School of Architecture Dean Malo André Hutson presents his research and work on disaster management and rebuilding, public and urban health, and equitable community development providing case studies that demonstrate when climate resilience and climate justice meet.
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