Page 13 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Urban resilience in civil engineering

Table 1. Environmental impacts and sustainable solutions for resilient infrastructure
Area of resilient Environmental impacts Sustainable solutions
infrastructure
Hydric resources Floods, droughts, storms, rising sea levels, tornadoes. Preservation of natural drainage systems, development of
drinking water quality monitoring systems.
Underground construction Soil displacement, geotechnical risks. Optimization of underground space utilization, improved
climate-resilient structural security.
Transportation Greenhouse gas emissions. Development of suspended infrastructure for cyclists and
pedestrians, investment in alternative mobility solutions.
Electrical power systems Power grid failures during extreme weather Underground wiring, satellite-based monitoring for grid
events (e.g., heavy storms), causing accidents and security.
environmental damage.

environmental challenges due to sea level rise, requiring According to ISO 37123, indicators related to the
protective measures to safeguard local infrastructure. resilience of underground structures focus on their
Defensive strategies include the construction of artificial ability to withstand seismic events and provide secure
hills to elevate buildings and the creation of suspended spaces during emergencies. These metrics are critical for
infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. These solutions evaluating the structural integrity and functionality of
aim to mitigate the effects of coastal flooding while underground infrastructure under stress conditions. As
ensuring the safety and functionality of affected areas. noted in the present study, the limited research on this
The ISO 37123 standard provides specific indicators topic underscores the importance of advancing innovative
for monitoring the resilience of water systems, such as designs and construction techniques that align with
the percentage of urban areas protected from floods international resilience standards.
and the availability of emergency water supply systems. 3.2.3. Transportation
Incorporating these metrics into urban planning can guide
cities in implementing adaptive measures to enhance water Transportation, as a component of resilient infrastructure,
management, especially in areas vulnerable to extreme remains an underexplored topic in this research, with
hydrological events. For instance, maintaining natural only a few relevant articles identified. Wang et al. (2020)
drainage systems aligns with the standard’s emphasis on examine the effects of climate change on road networks
sustainability and disaster preparedness. This highlights in a case study; however, their research does not address
the critical role of resilient hydric resources in supporting urban resilience in other modes of transportation.
broader urban resilience goals. Similarly, studies by Wu et al. (2022), Fonseca et al. (2017),
Ge and Zhang (2022), Comert et al. (2018), and Lee et al.
3.2.2. Underground construction (2022) also fail to cover this broader aspect. Among the
Resilient infrastructure includes underground selected studies, none specifically focus on alternative
construction, yet this area remains underexplored in mobility, a transportation approach that aligns closely with
academic literature. Subway systems, for instance, are urban resilience. Sustainable transportation solutions not
often discussed in the context of space constraints on the only provide environmentally friendly alternatives and
ground surface, but their significance extends beyond this alleviate congestion in large cities but also contribute to
limitation. Liu et al. (2021) highlight seismic events in which improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions,
underground tunnels remained unaffected, demonstrating and the development of more connected and accessible
their structural resilience. Historically, such spaces have communities. Ultimately, these measures enhance the
also served as shelters during crises. In addition, the study overall quality of life.
examines underground drainage systems, including the ISO 37123 includes key indicators for resilient
Parisian sewer network, which play a crucial role in urban transportation systems, such as the percentage of urban
resilience. However, while the natural protection offered by areas served by sustainable public transport and the
underground construction enhances safety and isolation, resilience of critical transport infrastructure during
these structures are often prohibitively expensive to build. extreme weather events. These indicators highlight the
As a result, they receive less attention in research, and necessity of integrating alternative mobility solutions, such
global investment remains limited beyond key areas such as cycling infrastructure and electric public transport, into
as transportation and drainage (Nelson, 2016). urban resilience strategies. Addressing these gaps in the

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 7 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.8088