Skip to main content.

Engineering related publications

New Zealand literature

Climate Change and Infrastructure Design Case study: Wairau Catchment, North Shore City August 2004

This case study investigates the impacts of both climate change and different modelling approaches (design storm model vs time series/dynamic model) on stormwater infrastructure design within the Wairau Valley stormwater catchment in North Shore City.

Incorporating climate change into stormwater design - Why and how? March 2005

A paper produced by H. Shaw, A. Reisinger, H. Larsen and C. Stumbles for the 4th South Pacific Conference on Stormwater And Aquatic Resource Protection (Auckland, May 2005). The paper outlines information on climate change impacts available to stormwater infrastructure designers, and discusses simple as well as more complex ways of incorporating climate change effects into stormwater design, illustrating the process with a case study undertaken in North Shore City, and a number of different climate change scenarios.

Climate Change Effects and Impacts Assessment: A guidance manual for Local Government in New Zealand May 2004

This document provides guidance on identifying and assessing likely future regional and local effects of climate change across New Zealand. It is designed to help local government identify and quantify opportunities and hazards which climate change poses for their functions, responsibilities and infrastructure.

Coastal Hazards and Climate Change: A guidance manual for local government in New Zealand May 2004

This Guidance Manual is intended to help local authorities manage coastal hazards by: providing information on the effects of climate change on coastal hazards presenting a decision-making framework to assess the associated risks providing guidance on appropriate response options.

International literature

Climate change and London's transport systems

The London Climate Change Partnership has published a report 'Climate change and London's transport systems'. The report describes some of the challenges faced by London’s transport systems that will be exacerbated by climate change, explains what is already being done to address them, and what still remains to be done.

The study investigates four key issues:

  • Tidal and river flooding affecting new infrastructure in the Thames Gateway
  • Local flooding of Underground, rail and road infrastructure, including station closures
  • Damage to national rail and road infrastructure from hot weather
  • Passenger comfort on the Underground in hot weather.

Climate adaptation: risk, uncertainty and decision-making (United Kingdom) May 2003

Climate adaptation: risk, uncertainty and decision-making' provides a step-by-step decision-making framework to help planners, businesses and government assess the risk posed by climate change, and work out how best to respond.

Building knowledge for a changing climate (BKCC) (United Kingdom) February 2003

This report outlines the main ways that climate change could affect our built environment. It also provides details of the six projects funded within the BKCC portfolio and sets them in the context of a wider research agenda.

Climate Change: Risk and Vulnerability - Promoting an Efficient Adaptation Response in Australia

Particularly chapter 3.3 Climate Pressures on Health & Infrastructure Appendix B on standard setting for major services & infrastructure

IPCC Third Assessment Report - Volume 2 " Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability"

Particularly Chapter 7 - Human Settlements, Energy, and Industry

NB: the latest IPCC Fourth Assessment Report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability is due out in April 2007.

Adaptation to Climate Change: An Introduction for Canadian Municipalities

This publication is a tool that will help municipalities and communities develop a better understanding of adaptation. It represents a starting point for municipalities and communities that have not yet formally considered adaptation in their planning processes. For municipalities and communities already engaged in developing adaptation mechanisms, it can be used to enhance understanding of adaptation throughout the local decision-making community.

Stormwater Infrastructure and Climate Change (PDF 567 KB) (Canada) 2003

The report provides a brief examination of the sensitivities of Canadian stormwater infrastructure to changes in climate. A short description of the history and rationale for stormwater infrastructure development precedes a general discussion of sensitivities, plausible climate change scenarios and generic impacts and responses. The focus then shifts to case studies in which simple scenarios of future climate are incorporated into urban runoff models for catchments located in Burlington and Ottawa, Ontario. Potential impacts and mitigation options are analysed and summarized. Finally, some broader conclusions and directions for future research are presented.

Climate Change, Natural Hazards and Cities (Word document 228 KB) (Canada) March 2003

This paper discusses the implications of climate change for natural hazards that threaten Canada’s cities, explores the expected impacts of this changing hazard variable and identifies strategies for adaptation that can be employed in response.

More information on engineering is available on Engineering Lifelines and Emergency Management

More information and resources is available on climate change impacts and adaptation.

Last updated: 14 July 2008