2. Climatic Change in the Built Environment in Temperate Climates with Emphasis on the Mediterranean Area

Climate change in the built environment is described by means of a multi-fold relationship: cities are major contributors to CO₂ emissions; climate change poses key threats to urban infrastructure and quality of life; climate change interacts with urbanization, population aging and socio-economic issues; and how cities grow and operate matters for energy demand and thus for greenhouse gas emissions. This relationship is particularly important since nearly 73 % of the European population lives in cities, and this is projected to reach 82 % in 2050. At the same time, climate change is occurring in Europe, as mean temperature has increased and precipitation patterns have changed. In terms of the Mediterranean area, increasing droughts and extreme climate phenomena (heat spells/heat waves) are key future characteristics that will put the whole region under serious pressure until 2100. They will also directly influence the built environment, including its resilience, and are expected to impact more cities with higher concentrations of vulnerable people, including the elderly, who are considered to be more sensitive to various climatic stress factors as compared to people of working age.