30th AMSTERDAM International Conference on Infrastructure Resilience & Climate Change Adaptation (AIRCCA-25) scheduled on Sept. 24-26, 2025 Amsterdam (Netherlands)

Topics/Call for Papers

Here are some broad topics on Infrastructure Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation:

I. Understanding Climate Change Impacts on Infrastructure:

• Climate Hazards and Infrastructure Vulnerability:
  • Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events (heatwaves, floods, droughts, storms, wildfires).
  • Sea-level rise and coastal erosion impacts on ports, bridges, and coastal communities.
  • Changes in precipitation patterns and their effects on water infrastructure and transportation.
  • The impact of thawing permafrost on infrastructure in cold regions.
  • Cascading impacts of climate events across interconnected infrastructure systems.
• Risk Assessment and Modeling:
  • Developing climate change scenarios for infrastructure planning.
  • Vulnerability assessments of different infrastructure sectors (transportation, energy, water, communication, buildings).
  • Probabilistic risk modeling and uncertainty analysis in climate projections.
  • Spatial analysis and GIS for identifying vulnerable infrastructure assets.
  • Incorporating climate risks into infrastructure lifecycle assessments.

II. Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation in Infrastructure:

• Resilient Design and Engineering:
  • Designing infrastructure to withstand extreme temperatures, flooding, and high winds.
  • Use of climate-resilient materials and construction techniques.
  • Elevating infrastructure in flood-prone areas.
  • Implementing flexible and adaptable designs.
  • Nature-based solutions for infrastructure resilience (e.g., green infrastructure for stormwater management, coastal wetlands for storm surge protection).
• Infrastructure Management and Maintenance:
  • Adaptive management strategies for infrastructure operations.
  • Predictive maintenance using climate data and AI.
  • Retrofitting existing infrastructure to enhance resilience.
  • Developing emergency response and recovery plans for climate-related disasters.
  • Ensuring the resilience of supply chains for infrastructure materials and operations.
• Technological Innovations:
  • Smart infrastructure and sensor technologies for monitoring and early warning.
  • Digital twins for simulating climate impacts and testing resilience measures.
  • AI and machine learning for climate risk analysis and adaptation planning.
  • Use of drones and robotics for infrastructure inspection and repair in hazardous conditions.
  • Development of new materials with enhanced climate resilience.

III. Policy, Governance, and Socio-Economic Aspects:

• Policy Frameworks and Regulations:
  • Integrating climate change adaptation into infrastructure planning and regulations.
  • Developing building codes and standards that account for future climate risks.
  • Incentivizing climate-resilient infrastructure investments.
  • Policy tools for managing climate risks to infrastructure (e.g., insurance, risk transfer mechanisms).
  • Intergovernmental cooperation on cross-border infrastructure resilience.
• Economic and Financial Considerations:
  • Cost-benefit analysis of climate adaptation measures in infrastructure.
  • Financing mechanisms for resilient infrastructure projects (public and private sector).
  • Economic impacts of infrastructure disruptions due to climate change.
  • The role of infrastructure in fostering climate-resilient economic development.
  • Valuing the co-benefits of climate-resilient infrastructure (e.g., environmental and social benefits).
• Social Equity and Justice:
  • Addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations and their access to resilient infrastructure.
  • Ensuring equitable distribution of the benefits of climate adaptation in infrastructure.
  • Community engagement and participation in the planning and design of resilient infrastructure.
  • Incorporating Indigenous knowledge and practices in climate adaptation strategies.
  • Climate gentrification and its implications for infrastructure development.

IV. Sector-Specific Resilience and Adaptation:

• Transportation Infrastructure: (Roads, railways, ports, airports)
  • Resilience to flooding, heatwaves, landslides, and extreme weather.
  • Developing alternative transportation modes and routes.
  • Climate-proofing transportation networks for supply chain resilience.
• Energy Infrastructure: (Power generation, transmission, distribution)
  • Resilience to extreme temperatures, storms, and water scarcity.
  • Transitioning to decentralized and renewable energy systems.
  • Enhancing the resilience of energy grids to climate shocks.
• Water Infrastructure: (Water supply, sanitation, wastewater treatment)
  • Managing water scarcity and drought conditions.
  • Protecting water infrastructure from flooding and contamination.
  • Implementing water-efficient technologies and practices.
• Communication Infrastructure: (Telecommunications, internet)
  • Ensuring the reliability of communication networks during extreme weather events.
  • Protecting critical communication infrastructure from physical damage.
• Built Environment: (Buildings, urban areas)
  • Designing energy-efficient and climate-resilient buildings.
  • Urban heat island mitigation strategies.
  • Integrating green spaces and blue infrastructure in urban planning