Elena Goicolea on Rethinking Architecture and Urban Planning for a Changing Climate

Elena Goicolea is an architect focused on sustainability and urban resilience. She has worked with cities like Valencia and Las Rozas, and she leads an innovation project for the EU’s Adaptation Mission. On June 10, she will discuss urban prosperity amid climate change at the EForum 2025 conference in Palma.

The Impact of Climate Change on Architecture

Architecture was designed for a stable climate, but things have changed. We now face unpredictable weather, which is intensifying due to our activities. Cities are experiencing events like extreme floods that occur once every 500 years, like the recent ones in Valencia.

Are Our Cities Ready?

Many urban areas aren’t equipped to handle heavy rain. Paved surfaces and altered waterways lead to runoff instead of absorption, increasing flooding risk. Rising temperatures are also an issue. Most homes aren’t built to stay cool during heatwaves, leading to uncomfortable indoor conditions.

Public Spaces at Risk

During summer, urban areas can become unbearable. High temperatures can be especially tough on vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and low-income families. Coastal cities face rising sea levels, posing a significant threat to the future of many communities.

Adapting to the Changes

We can take various steps to address these challenges. Institutional strategies involve updating urban planning, while financial measures like the Next Generation funds can promote renovations. Physically, we can create parks that can hold floodwater, plant rain gardens, and install green roofs. These changes can also help boost renewable energy and improve building insulation.

Consequences for Unadapted Homes

Those living in homes that aren’t prepared face serious risks. Extreme temperatures can lead to health issues, as seen in France’s 2003 heatwave, which resulted in 15,000 deaths. Poorly adapted homes are also more susceptible to flooding and rising energy costs.

Who Is Most Affected?

Vulnerable populations bear the brunt of these environmental challenges. When a heatwave hits, those who can escape to cooler places do so, leaving behind those without options. Similarly, during floods, individuals with mobility issues may struggle to find safety.

Climate Change in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean region is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with threats like drought, flooding, and wildfires on the rise. According to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, these impacts will only worsen, underscoring the need for adaptation along with emission reductions.

Finding Hope in Action

Despite the pressures of climate change, there’s a chance for transformation. It’s essential to act quickly. The measures we implement can lead to healthier, safer urban environments and stimulate a green economy focused on regeneration and innovation.

Why Act Now?

Adapting our cities is crucial for the well-being of current and future generations. We need to design spaces that allow us to thrive in harmony with our planet, rather than against it.

For more insights on sustainable architecture and urban resilience, check out the European Union’s resources on climate adaptation here.

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