Croatia must adapt buildings to increasingly extreme weather, expert earns

(Photo: DOMinvest)

Croatia’s buildings are facing increasing pressure from more frequent and intense extreme weather events, prompting calls for improved maintenance, stricter construction standards and greater investment in climate resilience.

Construction engineer Saša Perko says storms, torrential rainfall and strong winds are exposing weaknesses across Croatia’s ageing building stock, with roofs, façades and drainage systems among the most vulnerable elements.

According to Perko, many residential and public buildings were designed using climate data from previous decades and are no longer suited to today’s weather conditions.

Older buildings are particularly at risk during powerful summer storms, with poorly maintained roofs and façades becoming susceptible to significant damage. Recent storms have seen roof tiles, lightweight roofing structures and even sections of façades torn away by high winds.

Heavy rainfall is also creating growing problems in urban areas, where underground garages, basements and building entrances are increasingly prone to flooding.

Perko says excessive urban development and the loss of natural ground surfaces have reduced the ability of soil to absorb rainwater, placing additional strain on drainage systems.

Rather than relying solely on larger drainage networks, he believes cities should preserve more permeable green areas and incorporate modern solutions such as green roofs with water-retention systems, which help slow the flow of stormwater.

The expert also highlighted that even relatively new buildings can suffer major storm damage if key construction details are overlooked.

Strong winds create powerful suction forces around roof edges and building corners, making these areas especially vulnerable. If roofing materials, metalwork or façade systems are not properly secured, wind can quickly exploit these weak points, causing extensive damage.

(Photo: DOMinvest)

Perko says problems often begin with small construction defects, which can rapidly develop into much larger failures during severe weather.

Lightweight metal roofs and solar panel installations are among the most exposed if they have not been correctly designed and anchored.

He identifies three main factors that determine a building’s resilience: quality architectural design, proper construction and regular maintenance.

While attention is often focused on design and construction, Perko believes maintenance remains the weakest link. Many property owners delay repairs until serious damage occurs, instead of carrying out routine inspections that could identify problems early.

Blocked gutters, damaged flashing, loose roof fixings and small cracks in façades can all worsen significantly during storms if left untreated.

Perko compares building maintenance to servicing a car, arguing that annual professional inspections should become standard practice to identify hidden issues such as water ingress, deteriorating waterproofing and structural corrosion before they become costly emergencies.

He also believes project documentation should include more detailed technical specifications, while stronger supervision is needed during construction.

According to Perko, existing regulations are generally adequate, but enforcement is inconsistent, with insufficient oversight and accountability during building projects.

Looking ahead, he says financial support will play a crucial role in improving the resilience of Croatia’s housing stock.

Although strengthening roofs, façades and structural elements can be expensive, he notes that available EU and National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO) funding has already covered between 60 and 80 per cent of eligible energy renovation projects for apartment buildings.

Saša Perko (Photo: Dejan Tatomir)

Such renovations not only improve energy efficiency but also replace façades, waterproofing and roofing elements that provide greater protection against increasingly frequent extreme weather.

Perko concludes that adapting Croatia’s buildings to a changing climate will require a long-term shift in planning, maintenance and investment, with prevention proving far less costly than repairing damage after severe weather strikes.