IGBC-SG

  • SPEAKER

Yves-Laurent Sapoval

Ministerial Delegate for Sustainable Cities and Urban Envoy for the Ministry for Ecological Transition, France

PANEL SYNOPSIS

Climate resilience is increasingly being regarded as a key consideration to address the growing risks posed by climate-related threats and shocks. Beyond durability aspects such as design redundancy and material strength, climate resilience tests the ability of a building to anticipate, withstand, adapt to, and recover from the impacts of climate-related events. This panel explores how we can design and build with resilience at the core, ensuring our cities, infrastructure, and communities can adapt, endure, and thrive in the face of climate uncertainty. From innovative strategies to policy frameworks, join us as we uncover what it truly means to build for a changing climate—and why resilience must be the foundation of sustainable development.

 

Key Discussion Points:

  • Defining Climate Resilience in the Built Environment
  • Designing for Extremes; strategies to adapt buildings and infrastructure
  • Nature-Based and Low Carbon Solutions; green infrastructure and passive design in climate adaptation
  • Technology and Innovation; Smart infrastructure and data-driven planning with the rise of AI
  • Cross-Sector Collaboration across policy, industry, and communities

ABOUT

After a decade as an architect, Yves-Laurent Sapoval transitioned into public service as part of the state body of civil architects and city planners, joining the national housing department. He later served as advisor and deputy chief of staff to ministers responsible for housing and urban development. In 2006, he became the national “Délégué interministériel à la ville” (National Advisor on City policies) leading the administration for deprived areas.

Following 2009, he focused on sustainable urban development in the Union for the Mediterranean and worked on key urban projects in the “Grand Paris” area. As co-founder and co-chair of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction, Yves-Laurent leads French participation in the Buildings Breakthrough and the Global Forum on Buildings and Climate.

Currently, he serves as the Ministerial Delegate for Sustainable Cities and Urban Envoy for the Ministry for Ecological Transition, working on sustainable urban development, housing, and construction.

IGBC-SG 2025 Session

Panel – Climate Resilience: Building for a Changing Climate
Wednesday, 9 July 2025, 11:45 AM