The Impact of Climate Change on Kosovo’s Construction Sector in the Last Decade
Session
Civil Engineering, Infrastructure and Environment
Description
The construction sector in Kosovo has faced growing challenges from climate change over the past decade, with rising temperatures, irregular precipitation, and more frequent extreme weather events directly affecting construction practices, material durability, and infrastructure resilience. This study investigates these impacts through a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of meteorological and economic data from 2014 to 2024 with qualitative insights from structured interviews with engineers, contractors, and policymakers. The findings show that climate-related risks have led to higher construction costs, especially in concrete curing, energy demand, and maintenance, while weather-induced delays in project implementation have increased by around 15% during the last decade. At the same time, the sector has accelerated the adoption of sustainable practices, including energyefficient building designs, green certifications, and the use of alternative materials, partly influenced by European Union environmental standards. The results underline the urgent need for climate-adaptive planning in Kosovo’s construction sector. Strengthening resilient design standards, promoting renewable and low-carbon materials, and enforcing stricter building codes are identified as essential measures to mitigate risks and support Kosovo’s integration into regional and European sustainability objectives.
Keywords:
Climate change, Construction sector, Sustainability, Resilience, Green building
Proceedings Editor
Edmond Hajrizi
ISBN
978-9951-982-41-2
Location
UBT Kampus, Lipjan
Start Date
25-10-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
26-10-2025 6:00 PM
DOI
10.33107/ubt-ic.2025.40
Recommended Citation
Ahmeti, Muhamet and Kastrati, Arbëresha, "The Impact of Climate Change on Kosovo’s Construction Sector in the Last Decade" (2025). UBT International Conference. 2.
https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/conference/2025UBTIC/CEIE/2
The Impact of Climate Change on Kosovo’s Construction Sector in the Last Decade
UBT Kampus, Lipjan
The construction sector in Kosovo has faced growing challenges from climate change over the past decade, with rising temperatures, irregular precipitation, and more frequent extreme weather events directly affecting construction practices, material durability, and infrastructure resilience. This study investigates these impacts through a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of meteorological and economic data from 2014 to 2024 with qualitative insights from structured interviews with engineers, contractors, and policymakers. The findings show that climate-related risks have led to higher construction costs, especially in concrete curing, energy demand, and maintenance, while weather-induced delays in project implementation have increased by around 15% during the last decade. At the same time, the sector has accelerated the adoption of sustainable practices, including energyefficient building designs, green certifications, and the use of alternative materials, partly influenced by European Union environmental standards. The results underline the urgent need for climate-adaptive planning in Kosovo’s construction sector. Strengthening resilient design standards, promoting renewable and low-carbon materials, and enforcing stricter building codes are identified as essential measures to mitigate risks and support Kosovo’s integration into regional and European sustainability objectives.