Housing for Now and the Future: A Systematic Review of Climate-Adaptive Measures
Ma Katrina Rañeses, Alice Chang‐Richards, Kevin I‐Kai Wang, Kim N. Dirks
Abstract
Climate change requires our built environment to be adaptable in order to serve the community well. Among the components of the built environment, housing and its occupants are especially vulnerable. Over the years, there have been variations in the designs and building techniques used in the construction of houses able to adapt to these changes. In this study, a systematic review with the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol was conducted to identify, classify, and investigate existing climate-adaptive measures for housing on the basis of 65 articles selected. In total, 21 climate-adaptive measures were identified and classified into three categories, namely, passive design, building technology, and building performance assessment tools. From the identified climate-adaptive measures, 16 distinct benefits were identified, the majority of which are related to improved thermal comfort and energy efficiency. This review lays the foundation for further research examining the roles of existing, new, and emerging technologies in enhancing building performance and the adaptive ability of houses in response to climate change.