The Adaptability of Residential Planning and Design to World-Changing Events

The world we inhabit is increasingly marked by volatility and uncertainty, with extreme events, both natural and human-made, posing significant threats to our communities and the built environment. As we navigate these challenging times, the role of architecture, design, and engineering in creating resilient and adaptable structures becomes paramount. Throughout history, the residential built environment has demonstrated its ability to adapt to changing circumstances and must continue to do so. In recent times, the world has witnessed a surge in extreme events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts, and devastating natural disasters. These events have exposed the vulnerabilities of our built environment and the need for a paradigm shift in residential design at all levels. We must move beyond traditional approaches that focus solely on esthetics and functionality and embrace a broader understanding of concepts such as resilience, adaptability, and sustainability. This Special Issue on “The Adaptability of Residential Planning and Design to World-Changing Events” brings together a diverse range of perspectives from researchers and practitioners to explore innovative approaches to residential design that can effectively respond to the short-, medium-, and long-term challenges we all face. The contributions featured in this Special Issue offer a wealth of knowledge and insights, providing a roadmap for creating residential environments that are not only resilient to the immediate impact of extreme events but also adaptable to the ongoing challenges and shifts in society. By embracing this holistic approach to residential planning and design, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities. This reprint aims to encompass a diverse range of professionals and researchers related with the architecture, urban planning, engineering, public safety, and disaster management fields. This will also be of interest to policymakers, developers, and homeowners who are committed to creating more resilient and adaptive residential environments through the development of innovative planning strategies, new buildings codes, and design guidelines. The editors would like to express their appreciation to the authors for their insightful work, the reviewers for their rigorous evaluations, and the Buildings editorial team, with a special nod to Ms. Evie Ouyang for her unwavering commitment and assistance, all of which played a crucial role in the success of this Special Issue.