Working to Redefine Infrastructure for a Resilient Future
Innovation and forward-thinking policies are essential to safeguarding communities and economies from the devastating impacts of climate change
By Edgar Westerhof
In recent years, the world has witnessed a stark reminder of climate change’s economic and human toll, with global economic losses from extreme weather events exceeding $380 billion in 2023. That trend continued in 2024 as hurricanes ravaged Florida and North Carolina, flooding disrupted lives from urban centers to rural communities and droughts stressed critical infrastructure systems. These coastal regions saw storm surges impact communities and environments inland without flood prevention infrastructure, resulting in widespread property damage. As we move into 2025, it is clear that adapting our infrastructure to withstand these escalating climate extremes is not just an option—it is an imperative to safeguard quality of life.
Confronting the Climate Reality
Last year was the hottest on record globally and surpassed the critical 1.5-degree Celsius warming threshold, amplifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather. This new climate reality requires our urban environments to plan and engineer beyond norms and conditions from the past. Infrastructure systems in the United States have been pushed to their limits, as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card shows, exposing vulnerabilities in aging designs and highlighting the need for innovative, resilient solutions. New York’s response to Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Ida has showcased the critical role of forward-thinking investments. By implementing more robust stormwater management systems and deploying coastal flood protection works, the city started a process to increase ability to withstand extreme weather events.
The Economics of Resilience
Investing in resilience yields tangible financial benefits. New Orleans undertook extensive resilience projects following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, resulting in the New Orleans Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System which includes storm surge barriers and pump station upgrades that provide a 100-year level risk reduction. These efforts have reduced the risk of catastrophic flooding and is bolstering the city’s long term economic vitality, attracting new businesses and fostering community stability. Proactive investments in resilient infrastructure can yield a 7-to-1 return on investment, underscoring their financial and social value.
Yet, challenges remain: retrofitting existing infrastructure in urban areas is complex and costly. Implementing large-scale projects often span a decade or more, creating tension between short-term priorities and long-term planning. Often, it’s a delicate balance between providing immediate protection and future-proofing against climate extremes with magnitudes that are not fully understood.
Harnessing Data and Technology
Data and technology will continue to be pivotal in enhancing resilience. Early warning systems, powered by advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), have the ability to effectively mitigate the impacts of severe weather. In the Netherlands, for example, flood management systems utilize real-time data to predict and respond to storm surges. Similarly, New York City is implementing smarter urban drainage and watershed planning using models to manage extreme precipitation, ensuring rapid response and infrastructure preparedness.
However, managing and effectively communicating data remains a challenge. Inconsistent data standards and inadequate communication protocols can hinder decision-making. To overcome these barriers, stakeholders must establish explicit data-sharing and collaboration protocols, enabling communities to act decisively in the face of extreme weather.
Embracing Nature-Based Solutions at Scale
Nature-based solutions applied at scale, offer a promising avenue for resilience planning, as sea level rises. These approaches work with natural systems to mitigate climate impacts while providing co-benefits such as improved biodiversity and community well-being. Examples include restoring wetlands to absorb stormwater, marshlands to reduce storm surge and coastal erosion, planting urban forests to reduce heat islands and designing permeable pavements to manage runoff.
Implementing nature-based solutions, however, is not without challenges. Many urban areas face space constraints and competing land-use priorities. Community engagement is critical to ensuring these solutions are equitable and address the needs of all residents, particularly vulnerable populations. Policymakers must also grapple with difficult decisions, such as relocating communities from high-risk areas and de-investing in regions that will not be made climate-resilient, especially in low lying coastal areas.
The Role of Policy and Governance in Driving Efficiency and Increasing Sustainability
Policy frameworks must evolve to support resilience. ASCE is updating its sustainability standard to reflect the realities of climate change, ensuring that new infrastructure is designed beyond current norms and able to withstand future extremes. Federal funding mechanisms like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provide opportunities to prioritize resilience projects. However, effective governance requires all hands collaboration across federal, state, local and private sector levels to align goals and streamline implementation.
City governments, in particular, play a critical role in resilience planning, by driving multifunction solutions and making sure physical interventions have the ability to function as social infrastructure. By integrating climate risk assessments into urban planning, cities can drive innovation and secure funding for transformative projects. The success of these efforts hinges on a shared understanding of risks and a commitment to long-term sustainability.
Looking Ahead
The urgency of addressing climate resilience has never been greater than in 2025. The infrastructure decisions we make today will shape the future of our cities and communities, determining their ability to thrive in a changing climate. By investing in resilience, harnessing technology, embracing nature-based solutions at scale and advancing equitable policies, we can build a more sustainable and secure future for all.
Uncertainty in the scale and severity of extreme weather makes the path forward challenging but also offers an opportunity to reimagine infrastructure as a catalyst to safeguard a more sustainable economy , environmental stewardship and social equity.
Edgar Westerhof is Vice President , U.S. Climate Adaptation Solution Leader at Arcadis.
