Reviewing Resilience Enhancement Solutions for the Built Environment under Climate Stressors

SERG, Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus

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Abstract

Mediterranean cities are increasingly exposed to extreme heat events, amplifying urban heat island effects and compromising outdoor thermal comfort. This study investigates the microclimatic performance of a representative high-density urban district in Barcelona, characterized by a modernist grid layout with limited vegetation and high impervious surface coverage. Using the ENVI-met simulation tool, seasonal air temperature distributions were modeled at pedestrian level under both normal and extreme weather conditions. Results reveal a significant temperature increase during heatwaves, with average grid temperatures in July rising by over 8 °C compared to normal conditions. Four passive cooling strategies—green roofs, green facades, cool pavements, and cool roads—were evaluated under extreme conditions. Green roofs and cool pavements showed the highest cooling potential in summer, while green facades were more effective in milder seasons. The spatial analysis identified critical thermal hotspots, such as exposed intersections and interior courtyards, as priority areas for intervention. The findings demonstrate the necessity of context-specific, seasonally adaptive solutions to mitigate urban overheating. This work, developed in the framework of the CLIMRES project, contributes to datadriven urban resilience planning and provides actionable insights for architects, urban planners, and policymakers aiming to enhance thermal comfort in climate-vulnerable districts.