A novel climate assessment framework for integrating adaptation into planning and design interventions on public real estate

Public assets face significant risks from extreme temperatures, precipitation, windstorms and drought, necessitating targeted adaptation measures to safeguard infrastructure, ensure safety, and enhance resilience. The lack of systematic tools to integrate climate adaptation into the planning and design processes for public real estate underscores the need for innovative assessment frameworks.

This study introduces a novel climate assessment framework to support decision-making throughout the construction lifecycle – investment planning, design, and monitoring – by enabling the evaluation of AS IS and TO BE conditions of real estate assets, ensuring alignment with European regulations. Developed in collaboration with the Italian State Property Agency, it includes: (i) a pre-assessment tool to prioritize interventions during the investment planning based on climatic and non-climatic drivers; (ii) an assessment tool to quantify the vulnerability levels and adaptation goals during the design phase based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs); (iii) guidelines to periodically monitor climate hazards and effectiveness of adaptation measures over time; and (iv) catalogue of adaptation measures categorized into grey (structural), green (nature-based), and blue (water-based) solutions.

Drawing from European climate policies, Green Building Rating Systems, and Resilience Rating Systems, the framework identifies KPIs tailored to climate-related hazards and physical attributes of the real estate assets. The framework marks a significant advancement toward a systematic and replicable tool for integrating climate adaptation into real estate interventions, aligning with EU climate objectives and offering practical applications for public and private stakeholders.