IN-PLAN PRACTICE
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Ongoing climate change is causing a global increase in extreme weather events and higher temperatures. Even if these effects can take different forms locally, the general trend affects all of Europe. Natural disasters such as heavy rainfalls, flooding and prolonged droughts are increasing; sea levels are rising; coasts and slopes are increasingly at risk from erosion and landslides; summer overheating is particularly noticeable in cities, where so-called “heat island” effects are occurring; and biodiversity is declining rapidly due to the changing climatic conditions.
The Paris Agreement of 2015 established a goal for adaptation, focusing on enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience, and reducing vulnerability to climate change. While climate protection measures aim to mitigate climate change, adaptation measures are designed to prepare for and minimise its adverse effects on natural and human systems, including ecosystems, built environments, public health, and others.
Many climate change adaptation measures have a direct spatial impact: on a large scale in the natural environment or on a smaller scale in the public spaces of (urban) settlement areas. Due to their anticipatory and preventive nature, climate adaptation measures are often intertwined with disaster risk reduction management, which itself is strongly connected to spatial planning as well. Therefore, it is essential to integrate climate change adaptation measures into spatial planning to ensure comprehensive and effective strategies for addressing climate change.
Adaptation measures range from actions that build adaptive capacity or establish management systems and supportive mechanisms to adaptation actions implemented on the ground. They can be applied in policies, practices and projects which can reduce risks or realise opportunities associated with climate change.
Climate-ADAPT is a platform that aims to facilitate Europe’s adaptation to climate change by providing accessible data and information on expected climate impacts, vulnerability assessments, adaptation strategies, case studies, and tools for planning. It organises information into categories such as EU policy sectors, countries and cities, and various knowledge topics, complementing the EU’s efforts towards achieving its 2030 climate and energy targets. Of particular interest are the Climate-ADAPT Adaptation Support Tool and the Climate-ADAPT Case Studies.
For further information see key services, thematic features and tools of Climate-ADAPT.
Spatial planning plays a critical role in climate adaptation by integrating strategies that reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience to climate impacts in the spatial development of a territory. This involves incorporating green infrastructure, such as parks and green roofs, to mitigate urban heat island effects; designing flood management systems, such as sustainable urban drainage systems and retention basins; and protecting natural habitats to preserve biodiversity. By considering climate adaptation in spatial planning, we can create more resilient communities that are better equipped to handle the challenges posed by climate change.
Protect and enhance fresh and cold air corridors: Urban fresh and cold air corridors facilitate the flow of cooler, fresher air from rural or green areas into cities, helping to mitigate the urban heat island effect. These airflows typically follow large linear green spaces, water bodies, and valleys. Urban climatological studies can identify existing fresh and cold air corridors and provide guidance on where new corridors could be designed or existing ones enhanced.
Mapping urban heat islands: Urban areas often experience higher temperatures than rural areas due to their structural characteristics. Key factors contributing to this include extensive impermeable surfaces that cause rapid rainwater runoff, limited shading and evaporation from vegetation, dense construction using heat-absorbing materials, and urban geometries that hinder air circulation. Isotherm maps of urban areas are crucial for identifying urban heat islands, highlighting areas that are particularly affected and in need of targeted interventions.
Accessible climate-resilient public spaces: In a just urban environment, high-quality public spaces should be accessible to everyone in the immediate vicinity of their homes. Amid the climate crisis, high quality encompasses public spaces that remain attractive and functional during hot summer days. Climate-resilient public spaces feature extensive vegetation and other shading elements, water features for refreshment, and a high proportion of permeable surfaces that facilitate cooling through evaporation. The ‘sponge city’ principle has introduced various technologies for designing public spaces to store rainwater in the ground, enabling its use on-site to nourish vegetation and aid in evaporation.
Regulations for climate-resilient buildings: Microclimatic studies must become mandatory elements of the planning process for large building structures and new urban quarters. These studies provide crucial insights into the microclimatic effects of new urban structures and offer strategies for mitigation through repositioning, shading, ventilation, or the greening of roofs and facades. Measures recommended by such studies should be legally enforced and implemented accordingly. Additionally, new buildings need to incorporate sustainable cooling measures. During the design process, passive cooling options such as shading (e.g. external blinds), greening, and natural ventilation must be explored and implemented where feasible. Additionally, the use of more sustainable cooling methods such as free cooling or district cooling should be explored. To enforce these measures, designated zones can be established where waste heat disposal into public spaces is prohibited, effectively discouraging the use of conventional air conditioning systems.
i-Tree Canopy is a free online tool that helps estimate how much of an area is covered by trees and other types of land use (like buildings, roads, or grass).
You can either draw the area on the map or upload a file (e.g. a shapefile) to define it. The tool then shows random points within the area, and you choose what type of land cover each point has (for example, tree, pavement, or water). Based on your input, the system estimates the overall land cover distribution. For reliable results, it is recommended to classify between 500 and 1000 points.
The tool can also help estimate the economic value of the benefits provided by trees (like cooling or air cleaning). But outside the U.S., U.K., Ukraine, Sweden, New Zealand, and South Korea, you need to enter your own values to do this calculation.
For further information see i-Tree Canopy
Preparing urban spaces for heavy rainfalls: Using green infrastructure for circular rainwater management is the most sustainable and effective way to reduce the risk of flooding from heavy rainfall in cities. Protecting large natural landscapes within urban areas as flood retention and drainage zones creates effective green-blue corridors that manage stormwater by increasing infiltration and reducing runoff. Morphological analysis can help to identify low-lying areas that are suitable for controlled flooding during storm events. On a smaller scale, urban public spaces should be redesigned according to the principles of the ‘sponge city’, incorporating permeable surfaces, bioswales, and other nature-based solutions to efficiently absorb and manage stormwater. An important basis for these efforts is to assess the degree of soil sealing in urban areas, with targeted reductions based on specific indices and targets for pavement removal and permeability.
Climate resilient coastal areas: Coastal areas require robust planning to withstand climate impacts. Shoreline management plans are essential tools for managing waterfront spaces, establishing flood protection or buffer zones, and enforcing building restrictions in danger areas. A variety of protective measures can be applied, including natural or green interventions such as shoreface nourishment, dune strengthening, and restoration of coastal wetlands. Additionally, grey interventions, such as storm surge gates, flood barriers, groynes, breakwaters, artificial reefs, seawalls, and jetties, provide engineered solutions to protect against sea-level rise and storm surges.
Managing risks in mountains and valleys: In mountainous inland areas, flood protection measures along rivers can be complemented by strategies for slope protection and avalanche zone planning. Forward-looking zoning regulations and building restrictions are crucial in these regions, as are large- scale retention areas along rivers and protective forests on mountain slopes. It’s essential to consider climate change scenarios when assessing and managing these threats effectively.
Protecting and providing diverse habitats: The key measure to support diverse ecosystems is to safeguard and maintain heterogeneous natural areas where biodiversity can flourish. This involves not only protecting but also restoring natural landscapes, such as river restoration projects where urban or rural water bodies are redesigned to return to a more natural state, thereby re-establishing habitats for diverse plants and animals. This is also foreseen by the EU Nature Restoration Law.
Connecting natural habitats: Various animal and plant species have distinct habitat size requirements. To accommodate species that need ample space and facilitate genetic exchange between habitats, it is crucial to maximise connectivity among open spaces and avoid fragmentation of existing habitats. Ecological corridors can be established in various forms, ranging from tree-lined pathways and street- side greenery connecting urban parks, to wildlife bridges spanning highways in rural areas. These corridors enhance biodiversity by facilitating movement and interaction across landscapes.
Adapting ecosystems to changing climate conditions: As climate conditions shift towards hotter and drier summers, some ecosystems face challenges in sustaining their current forms. Municipal gardening companies are adopting new planting concepts for public parks and gardens, while urban areas are transitioning to tree species better suited to withstand heat and drought. In rural settings, farmers are adjusting their crop selections, and large recreational areas are increasingly replacing traditional lawns with more resilient alternatives.
Zurich’s climate analysis and planning information maps provide detailed information on air temperatures, cold air currents, and bioclimatic conditions during summer days and nights. They identify heat islands, compensation areas, and ventilation routes, aiding municipalities and planners in addressing urban heat issues. Differentiated for day and night, these maps assess climatic stress and relief functions, supporting regional planning and informing public participation.
For further information see Klimakarten und -daten | Kanton Zürich.
Paris has transformed its public spaces to enhance climate resilience, guided by strategic documents like the Paris Resilience Strategy and the Bioclimatic PLU. The city aims to create recreational areas during summer heat and facilitate active mobility. Natural solutions such as rainwater management, shade structures, and natural ventilation are used. Additionally, road spaces are reallocated for walking and cycling, increasing green spaces and promoting social well-being and biodiversity.
For further information see Paris Resilience Strategy.
