Urbanisation and climate change are intensifying heat risks in cities worldwide through the combined effects of global warming and the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon. Elevated urban temperatures threaten human health, strain infrastructure, increase energy demand and exacerbate socio-spatial inequalities. While architectural and urban design decisions are central to the formation and mitigation of UHI, moving from UHI mitigation to heat-resilient cities requires linking physical interventions with governance capacity, equity, and adaptive learning over time. This paper, therefore, develops a conceptual framework for resilient and sustainable urban environments that embeds built-environment strategies within a broader resilience-oriented governance context. The study combines a narrative review of UHI mechanisms, impacts and mitigation approaches with a systematic review of local-government strategies implemented between 2015 and 2025. Following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and a population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO)-based search strategy, 100 studies were selected from Scopus and Web of Science and analysed thematically. The review identifies four main domains of local action: green infrastructure; cool and permeable materials; water-based and blue–green infrastructure; and policy, governance and technology. Within these domains, the paper highlights architectural and design-relevant interventions, including shade-oriented streetscapes, climate-responsive building envelopes, ventilation-sensitive urban form, and blue–green corridors, while also examining institutional, financial and social factors that shape implementation and effectiveness. The findings show that combinations of green infrastructure, cool materials and blue–green systems can reduce surface and near-surface air temperatures and improve thermal comfort, with co-benefits for public health, energy efficiency, biodiversity and liveability. However, implementation is frequently constrained by limited financial and technical capacity, fragmented institutions, context-specific trade-offs, and insufficient attention to equity. Building on these insights, the paper proposes a conceptual framework comprising ten components that connect context and drivers; assessment and diagnosis; intervention strategies; implementation mechanisms; enablers; barriers; equity operationalisation; outcomes and effectiveness; monitoring and evaluation; and feedback and iteration. The paper concludes that advancing from urban heat islands to resilient cities requires design innovation supported by enabling governance, equity-centred prioritisation, and iterative monitoring and learning.

Purpose There is an urgent need to translate climate change awareness into tangible climate adaptation strategies. The built environment is identified as one of the kick-off points in making climate change adaptation as the built environment shares a dual-way relationship. While the built environment largely contributes to the climate change-triggering factors, it also becomes highly vulnerable in the face of climate change impacts. Tied up with the interconnectedness of the built environment processes and associated systems, the involvement of numerous stakeholders from different spectrums creates the need for a holistic and multi-stakeholder approach in developing climate response strategies for the built environment. Accordingly, this study aims to identify the roles and responsibilities of the different built environment stakeholders in climate change adaptation. Design/methodology/approach The study consisted of a scoping review at the initial stage, contextualising studies based on secondary data, and semi-structured expert interviews in five different countries: the UK, Sweden, Malta, Spain and Sri Lanka. The paper summarises the findings of the individual country-level desk studies and 65 built environment stakeholder interviews representing national and local governments, communities, academia and research organisations, civil organisations, professional bodies and the private sector. The findings were validated through focus group discussions in two stakeholder seminars. Findings The findings summarised a set of key roles and sub-roles for each stakeholder category, considering the current status and needs. The national governments need to set a long-term vision, enabling multi-sector interventions while promoting investment and innovation in climate change adaptation. The local governments overlook local adaptation plans, while the community is responsible for decarbonising operations and practising adaptation at the local level. Civil organisations and professional bodies are the voice of the community, linking policy and practice. Academia and research are responsible for nurturing skills and new knowledge, and the private sector must contribute by adopting climate resilience into their business portfolio and corporate social responsibility. Research limitations/implications This research is part of an Europe-Union-funded research project, Built Environment leArning for Climate Adaptation (BEACON), which aims to develop skills and competencies of the built environment professionals so that they will be adequately equipped to handle the adaptation process of the built environment needs to adapt in facing the climate change impacts. Originality/value The paper provides an in-depth analysis of the roles and responsibilities pertaining to each category of the different stakeholders in effectively adapting the built environment to withstand the climate change consequences. Demarcation of each stakeholder’s roles and responsibilities separately facilitates collaboration and coordination between the different parties and provides a more holistic approach to climate change adaptation in the built environment.

This literature review meticulously explores the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) techniques into sustainable tourism (SusT), placing a focal point on enhancing resilience and mitigating environmental impacts. By examining several disciplines, including tourism management, disaster management, environmental science, green innovation, and sustainable development, this study recognizes major themes, research gaps, and best practices in this emerging subject. It underlines the importance of SusT and the need for effective DRR programs to alleviate the negative effects of catastrophes on tourism destinations and ensure their long-term sustainability and resilience. Science Direct, Springer, SAGE Publications, and Wiley's online library were the selected databases and the inclusion criteria were based on studies that looked at how DRR measures were implemented in SusT practices and how effective they were in increasing resilience and lowering environmental effects. The selected literature reveals many concepts and ways for integrating DRR in tourism, such as pre-disaster planning, risk assessment, capacity building, and stakeholder involvement. The assessment identifies the vital part played by government agencies, local entities, and tourist service providers in organizing and coordinating these programs. It points out potential obstacles to DRR integration within the tourism sector. The review emphasizes the importance of monitoring and measuring the outcomes of DRR programs in tourism, and it suggests the use of metrics and indicators to assess how well resilience-building and environmental impact reduction strategies are implemented. These insights may be utilized by policymakers, academics, and practitioners to design methods that enhnace the resilience of tourism destinations while minimizing environmental consequences.

Investigating the implications of integrating building information modeling (BIM) with claims management and the consequent effect on quantity surveying practices is essential for advancing digitalization and for avoidance of disputes in construction. Based on primary semistructured interviews with eight construction professionals in the UK and 48 peer-reviewed articles (secondary data), BIM's potential to enhance collaboration, improve cost estimation, and streamline claims management processes using text mining was studied. Text mining collocation analysis was applied using RStudio to elicit BIM and claims management concepts. The findings suggested that although BIM integration offers considerable benefits, challenges—such as resistance to change, lack of standardization, and the need for continuous upskilling—may hinder its full implementation. These findings contribute to the emerging need for as-built intelligent BIM with claims management operations in the construction industry from a theoretical perspective. BIM's potential to redefine the role of construction professionals such as quantity surveyors may engender a collaborative construction sector because of the efficiency it brings to the construction industry.

Future exemplary education should foster inclusive and respectful learning environments to meet new challenges like digital inequality and power concentration. In the new normal of education due to COVID-19, inclusive online disaster risk reduction (DRR) education is essential. Therefore, this article aims to investigate the current status quo of inclusive online and distance DRR education and its benefits. Expert interviews were conducted with 40 educators with experience in 13 countries. The experts were selected based on their experience in designing and/or delivering courses/modules related to disaster management and/or disaster risk reduction at the tertiary level. The interview questions covered 3 key aspects i.e., 1. the effectiveness of online delivery methods, 2. the status quo of online and distant DRR education and 3. the unique benefits of online education for DRR. The key findings suggest that an online setting works best when it is scientifically designed for the right audience, the right subject area, and the right mix. In creating inclusivity in DRR education, the digital divide needs to be acknowledged and interactive learning should be diversely designed. This study identifies gaps in digital disaster education, urging policy and practice changes to support diverse DRR communities beyond education providers and recipients.

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) education endorses educational initiatives that advocate for reducing existing disaster risks. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the social order around the world, including the education sector. The rise of the pandemic paved the way to significantly convert the education sector towards online/distant learning via digital platforms. Online distance learning was a challenging emergency shift for many who had to change their teaching and learning strategies. This study is an investigation of the significant challenges associated with online learning in DRR education. The objectives of the study were to consider the online learning strategies used in formal DRR education at the tertiary level and to identify the associated challenges faced by the learners. This study presents the findings of an online survey conducted as part of a research collaboration titled INCLUsive Disaster Education (INCLUDE). INCLUDE is a collaborative research project co-funded by the EU Erasmus+ program aimed to reimagine online distance learning education. The survey was conducted in the country contexts of the research partners, which include Lithuania, Japan, Sweden, and the UK, with DRR learners who are engaged in online learning. The findings suggest that Learning Management Systems, synchronous learning, and flipped classrooms are the dominant learning strategies that engage learners. The findings further suggest that challenges in online DRR education lie in inadequate ICT infrastructure and digital literacy, health-related disturbances, and professional and personal commitments that lead into learning discontinuity. Hence, the study concludes that in order to enhance the inclusivity of online DRR education, the overall social and vulnerability contexts of the learners should be considered.

This book presents double-blind peer-reviewed papers under scope of sustainable and resilient approaches for rebuilding displaced and host communities

In the systematic approach toward disaster risks, planned relocation is considered to be the last resort when providing a durable solution for relocates. This study is an investigation of the role of “social capital” in rebuilding lives in the aftermath of relocation caused by post-disaster induced displacement. This study is based on field research conducted in Kegalle, Sri Lanka. The study employs primary data that was collected using a sample survey and in-depth interviews as techniques. A systematic sample of 60 households was selected from both donor and owner driven relocation settings to conduct the sample survey. 28 in-depth interviews were conducted with relocates, host community members, and project officials based on purposive samples. The findings of the study have been analyzed using the main thematic orientation of the main types of social capital, i.e., bonding, bridging, and linking. The findings suggest that social capital plays a major role in the coping strategies developed by relocates to face the alterations in their living fabric caused due to displacement and relocation. A few reasons for the significance given to social capital are the homogeneity of the community, living through the relocation, public facilities, community-based initiatives, and economic cooperation. Hence, the study concludes that integrating social capital is a vital coping mechanism for planned relocation.

Mass displacement is a major global challenge and the number of people who have been forced to flee their homes has doubled in the last decade to more than 100 million. Sudden population changes (both influx and exodus) impact the efficient functioning of the built environment and this affects social relations between host and displaced communities. In ameliorating negative impacts and fostering social cohesion, built environment professionals have an important role to play and they need to better understand mass displacement. This research investigated the role of built environment professionals in responding to mass displacement, identified requisite competencies and derived a competency framework. The competency framework was developed in a two-phase process. In the first phase, the types of built environment professionals and the scope of their competencies relevant to mass displacement were identified enabling an initial competency framework to be conceptualised and data collection tools to be developed. The second phase was aimed at developing, refining and then validating the competency framework. It employed a Delphi technique in which an international panel of 19 experts was established and responded to 3 rounds of progressive questioning using online questionnaires. While country contexts were found to differ considerably in terms of their direct involvement in mass displacement-related activities, built environment professionals do have an important role to play in mitigating the effects of mass displacement and promoting social cohesion between displaced and host communities. That role relates primarily to enabling displaced people to access services through the provision of the necessary infrastructure to deliver services (e.g., housing, transport, schools, etc.) and, also, through the appreciation of the interrelationships that exist between these accesses (e.g., language, transport, health and employment). Of the relevant competencies identified, a significant proportion of these were relevant to all professionals (not just built environment professionals) and related to their need to understand the mass displacement context. Further competencies identified were particularly relevant to built environment professionals and some were found to be occupation-specific in their relevance. A hierarchical competency framework was derived comprising 3-tiers of competencies: 1. Foundational competencies (of relevance to all professionals with an interest in mass displacement); 2. Industry-wide competencies (applicable to all built environment professionals); 3. Occupational competencies (applicable to a subset of built environment professionals). The resulting competency framework has subsequently provided the basis for developing a series of training courses and for the formulation of competency recommendations to built environment professional bodies.

Disaster induced displacement is one of the most frequent phenomena occurring in the contemporary world and has been aggravated by factors such as climate change. With the systematic interpretation of disaster risks, planned relocation has been recognized as a durable solution for post-disaster reconstruction and disaster mitigation. Planned relocation initiatives that have been executed as post-disaster reconstruction initiatives in Sri Lanka have mainly followed donor driven and owner driven approaches. This study is a comparative analysis of the status quo of owner driven relocation options that were implemented after the landslide which took place in 2016 in the X District of Sri Lanka. Two research fields were selected based on the two owner driven options as part of the selected case study: Government Resettlement Sites and Individual Resettlement Sites. This exploratory study utilizes both secondary and primary data. A purposive sample of ten households was selected from each setting to conduct in-depth interviews. Furthermore, five structured interviews with key informants were conducted using an expert sample. Secondary data were collected based on the concepts of relocation and satisfaction of housing. The findings suggest that the respondents were satisfied with the housing units in both settings despite concerns in relation to the suggested plans of the housing units. Furthermore, common concerns were raised in terms of delays and issues in fund management in construction of houses. However, there was a drastic disparity in terms of other infrastructural, public, and neighborhood facilities in the two settings. Hence, this study suggests the need for an overall management and monitoring strategy for all owner driven relocation options.

A cohesive society is not only characterised by the availability of basic services and facilities, but also promotes economic equality and inclusion, democracy, and social solidarity. Forced displacement due to disasters and conflict constantly disrupt the path to a sustainable and cohesive society. Displaced communities often struggle with a lack of access to livelihood and a lack of financial independence and social and family stability. With these challenges, a lack of provision of basic services and facilities will create a competition for housing, health, and education between the displaced and host communities. Additionally, the economic competition for jobs and the role of international aid in terms of fairness create social tension between the displaced and the host. Likewise, multiple aspects weaken the social cohesion between displaced and host communities. Within this context, we investigated approaches to enhance social cohesion following disaster-induced and conflict-induced displacement. With the identification of this research need, the research team of the project titled REGARD (REbuild-inG AfteR Displacement) conducted 47 in-depth interviews in four partner countries (U.K., Sweden, Estonia, and Sri Lanka) with community representatives, social support networks, agency networks, officials, etc. Moreover, focus group discussions were conducted with community members in Sri Lanka. The collected data were analysed through a qualitative data analysis procedure. The findings present eight approaches to strengthen the social cohesion between displaced and host communities. These eight approaches include the adequate provision of basic services and facilities without limiting the capacity of the host, support services aimed at local integration, economic integration between the displaced and host, and social cohesion through the built environment.

The climate change impact highly threatens coastal regions. Coastal populations face a range of climate-related risks such as cyclones, sea-level rise, and coastal flooding. The built environment has a significant impact over the local climate and environment of coastal communities. Coastal areas are identified to be central locations of human habitats creating coastal urban centres further enhances the risk. Therefore, developing substantial climate adaptation strategies for the built environment in coastal regions is essential. In developing suitable adaptation measures, it is essential to understand the impacts of climate change on the coastal built environment in detail. This research is conducted as a part of a colloborative research project BEACON (Built Environment leArning for Climate adaptation), co-financed by the European Union Erasmus + programme. This study conducted a detailed review of the climate change impact on the built environment in coastal regions. A systematic literature review based on three academic databases Science Direct, Emerald Insight and Scopus, was conducted. The synthesised data were analysed using the thematic analysis technique, and the climate change impacts were mainly categorised as physical and non-physical impacts. The primary climate change evidence in coastal regions is sea level rise, weather conditions, and precipitation changes. The associated disaster risks and their physical and non-physical (economic, social, and environmental) impacts in the coastal regions have been summarised into a single framework. This could be used as a basis to develop tangible climate adaptation measures in the coastal built environment.

Purpose Addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities is an essential part of a recovery programme that has distinct links to livelihoods, health, education, security and social and family stability. The housing factor acts as a social centre for family and friends, a source of pride and cultural identity and a resource that commands both political and economic importance. Therefore, addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities should be seen as a mode to promote resilience and sustainable communities. Instead, the consideration of housing needs merely as a physical need results in many issues to the communities, including no access to livelihood, poor living condition, health problems, lack of financial independence, lack of social satisfaction and social cohesion, and sometimes even recreates and worsens the existing vulnerabilities of displaced communities. Within this context, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors to consider when addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities, promoting resilience and sustainable communities. Design/methodology/approach The research team of the project titled REbuildinG AfteR Displacement (REGARD) conducted 47 in-depth interviews in four partner countries (the UK, Sweden, Estonia and Sri Lanka) with officials, community representatives, social support networks, agency networks, etc. Apart from that, focus group discussions were conducted with the community members in Sri Lanka covering both conflict-induced and disaster-induced displacement. Findings The findings of this paper revealed that the housing factor has a significant role in rebuilding communities and determining the long-term satisfaction of displaced communities. Further, the results present eight essential factors to consider when addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities, promoting resilient and sustainable communities. Practical implications The findings are helpful for future planners, urban designers, architects and policymakers who work in the resettlement field. Planners, urban designers and architects can use these identified factors to cross-check their resettlement planning and designing strategies in addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities. Further, policymakers can mainstream these identified factors into the resettlement housing-related policies and regulations. Originality/value Addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities is an essential part of a recovery programme that has distinct links to livelihoods, health, education, security and social and family stability. The housing factor acts as a social centre for family and friends, a source of pride and cultural identity and a resource that commands both political and economic importance. Therefore, addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities should be seen as a mode to promote resilience and sustainable communities. Instead, the consideration of housing needs merely as a physical need results in many issues to the communities, including no access to livelihood, poor living condition, health problems, lack of financial independence, lack of social satisfaction and social cohesion, and sometimes even recreates and worsens the existing vulnerabilities of displaced communities. Within this context, this paper investigates the factors to consider when addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities, promoting resilience and sustainable communities.

Appears in: EDULEARN22 Proceedings Publication year: 2022Pages: 8884-8891ISBN: 978-84-09-42484-9ISSN: 2340-1117doi: 10.21125/edulearn.2022.2132Conference name: 14th International Conference on Education and New Learning TechnologiesDates: 4-6 July, 2022Location: Palma, Spain

Late payment is a recurring issue in the United Kingdom construction industry. While the existence of the problem is well known, there is a dearth of quantified evidence on the extent of the problem from a subcontractor point of view. This research sought to quantify the extent of late payment and late release of retention and their effects on construction subcontractors in the UK. A research design including the analysis of payment data of 30 selected projects (355 payments) from a case study and a supplementary questionnaire survey with 21 subcontractors were used to investigate the issues. Late payment was observed in most of the case study subcontract projects (77%) and nearly half of the payments (46%), suggesting it is common practice. Statistical analysis showed that while there was no statistically significant link between payment delay and contract sum, subcontractors are likely to experience longer payment delays in projects with a higher number of payments. It was found that the late release of the second half of the retention posed an even more significant problem to subcontractors, with a considerable portion of the income (upward of 2.5%); sometimes the entire profit, being held up for nearly 2 months from the due date. The findings highlight that while the regulatory and contractual measures over time have sought to address the issue of late payment, it remains a prevalent issue and that subcontractors often fail to rely on such measures. This necessitates subcontractors to factor late payment into their cash flow planning. The authors suggest that the recent and proposed initiatives such as the project bank accounts, central retention deposit scheme, and smart contracts offer potential to mitigate payment delays.

: Sri Lanka was badly affected by the tsunami that occurred on 26 th December 2004. The tsunami destroyed about two-thirds of the Sri Lankan coastline and affected more than 1,000,000 people. It does not only affected the lives of the community, but also had a devastating effect on their housing and livelihoods. The overall loss of 100,000 or more houses due to the tsunami proved to be a major challenge to the emergency response teams and disaster planners. Although several major disasters of varying magnitudes have occurred in the world, the body of knowledge related to post-disaster housing reconstruction and rehabilitation appears fragmented and poorly integrated. This paper attempts to fill this theoretical gap by focusing on the extent to which good practice knowledge transfer helps in overcoming this problem for more effective and efficient delivery of post-tsunami housing in Sri Lanka. The paper applied knowledge transfer principles within the context of the two housing reconstruction strategies employed in post-tsunami housing reconstruction in Sri Lanka; namely donor-driven housing and owner driven housing. The results of this study reveal that the knowledge transfer within this context cannot be simply copied and inserted from one context without any localisation. Therefore, the paper proposes a high-level abstraction of the core principles of community engagement through participatory techniques associated with appropriate capacity and capability building techniques that will enable the various stakeholders to create a new application to suit the appropriate context of the transfer destination (post-tsunami context in Sri Lanka).