A Conceptual and Operational Framework for Pro-Poor Asset Adaptation to Urban Climate Change

The impact of urban growth and climate change on heat stress in a sub-tropical Australian city

There are few countries in the world where the importance of addressing climate change in urban policy is as acutely felt as in the Netherlands. As a low-lying country located on a large river delta, it is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Its vulnerable position is one of the reasons why the country (and several of its cities) is a leading player in climate change-related initiatives. Although some of the policy responses to climate change are based on water management tasks that predate all climate change debates, a range of new responses involving both adaptation and mitigation have been developed at the national and local levels in the Netherlands. Recent shifts in policy have been accompanied by the emergence of a new underlying concept – the concept of resilience. This paper has two main areas of investigation. First, it examines the shifts in emphasis on climate change adaptation and mitigation in urban planning, water management and climate change strategies. Second, it studies the origins and nature of the concept of urban resilience and the way in which the notion has permeated national and local policy in the Netherlands. The city of Rotterdam is used to illustrate the situation at the local level. The paper reveals shifting emphases on adaptation and mitigation over time and across different policy documents as well as a range of interpretations of the concept of resilience.

The urban environment and climate change are essential factors to consider for applications involving urban planning and human health. Although these factors influence estimations of energy consumption and thermal comfort, buildings in France are still generally designed and renovated without accounting for these specific conditions but by considering present rural weather conditions. The first objective of this study is to develop an approach to explore building design and renovation choices while accounting for the urban environment and climate change. The second objective is to find which design and renovation choices are relevant to improve thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption (and therefore GHG emissions).First, we use observations and simulations of weather conditions in several cities of France (representing different climatic zones), for the present and future climate (2050), to analyze urban conditions and estimate energy consumption. Second, we run building simulations for rural and urban situations, and for present and future climate conditions, to investigate the effect of the urban environment and climate change on the operation of buildings, and the effect of building scenarios on the urban climate.

Abstract. The economic and human consequences of extreme precipitation and the related flooding of urban areas have increased rapidly over the past decades. Some of the key factors that affect the risks to urban areas include climate change, the densification of assets within cities and the general expansion of urban areas. In this paper, we examine and compare quantitatively the impact of climate change and recent urban development patterns on the exposure of four European cities to pluvial flooding. In particular, we investigate the degree to which pluvial floods of varying severity and in different geographical locations are influenced to the same extent by changes in urban land cover and climate change. We have selected the European cities of Odense, Vienna, Strasbourg and Nice for analyses to represent different climatic conditions, trends in urban development and topographical characteristics. We develop and apply a combined remote-sensing and flood-modelling approach to simulate the extent of pluvial flooding for a range of extreme precipitation events for historical (1984) and present-day (2014) urban land cover and for two climate-change scenarios (i.e. representative concentration pathways, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). Changes in urban land cover are estimated using Landsat satellite imagery for the period 1984–2014. We combine the remote-sensing analyses with regionally downscaled estimates of precipitation extremes of current and expected future climate to enable 2-D overland flow simulations and flood-hazard assessments. The individual and combined impacts of urban development and climate change are quantified by examining the variations in flooding between the different simulations along with the corresponding uncertainties. In addition, two different assumptions are examined with regards to the development of the capacity of the urban drainage system in response to urban development and climate change. In the stationary approach, the capacity resembles present-day design, while it is updated in the evolutionary approach to correspond to changes in imperviousness and precipitation intensities due to urban development and climate change respectively. For all four cities, we find an increase in flood exposure corresponding to an observed absolute growth in impervious surfaces of 7–12 % during the past 30 years of urban development. Similarly, we find that climate change increases exposure to pluvial flooding under both the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. The relative importance of urban development and climate change on flood exposure varies considerably between the cities. For Odense, the impact of urban development is comparable to that of climate change under an RCP 8.5 scenario (2081–2100), while for Vienna and Strasbourg it is comparable to the impacts of an RCP 4.5 scenario. For Nice, climate change dominates urban development as the primary driver of changes in exposure to flooding. The variation between geographical locations is caused by differences in soil infiltration properties, historical trends in urban development and the projected regional impacts of climate change on extreme precipitation. Developing the capacity of the urban drainage system in relation to urban development is found to be an effective adaptation measure as it fully compensates for the increase in run-off caused by additional sealed surfaces. On the other hand, updating the drainage system according to changes in precipitation intensities caused by climate change only marginally reduces flooding for the most extreme events.

We investigate the effect of climate change, through natural disasters, on corporate borrowing costs. We test for this relation by exploiting banks’ loan pricing to unaffected, but at-risk, borrowers after a climate change related disaster. We find that banks charge about 8 basis points higher rates to these indirectly affected borrowers, after controlling for a wide range of alternative explanations. Consistent with time varying attention to climate change, this effect increases to 17 basis points in years after major reports on climate change and is concentrated in the year around disasters. Borrowers with the largest exposure to climate change, and those with the least ability to absorb adverse shocks, suffer the highest increase in rates. Our analysis suggests that the total cost for U.S. borrowers from worsening climate change related natural disasters exceeds $250 million every year.

Urban areas, particularly those inhabited by marginalized populations, face many challenges in promoting sustainable livelihoods and enhancing well-being. These challenges are further exacerbated by the direct and indirect consequences of climate change, amplifying pre-existing socioeconomic vulnerability and entrenching inequalities. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationships between urban poverty, climate-induced vulnerabilities, and adaptive capacities is critical for addressing these compounded difficulties. This qualitative case study interrogates the intersection of climate change and urban poverty in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, by examining how climate impact exacerbates the precarious conditions of disadvantaged urban dwellers. Utilizing a multi-methodological approach, this study explored the specific barriers faced by these populations, elucidated how climate change intensifies these struggles, and analyzed the adaptive strategies employed by individuals and communities in response to escalating environmental stressors. Furthermore, this study assesses the efficacy of existing institutional and community-based mechanisms that aim to mitigate the climate-related vulnerabilities of the urban poor. These findings underscore that residents of economically marginalized urban areas are subject to a constellation of vulnerabilities, including overcrowded informality, inadequate and deteriorating infrastructure, limited access to essential services, and poor health and nutritional outcomes. These factors collectively heighten the exposure of poor urban populations to climate risks such as heat waves, flooding, and water scarcity. In response, households engage in adaptive strategies such as migration and income diversification, yet these short-term solutions frequently fail to address the deeper structural drivers of vulnerability. This study argues for an integrated framework of climate adaptation and poverty reduction that simultaneously addresses the economic and spatial inequities faced by marginalized urban populations. Effective interventions must incorporate a forward-looking perspective that addresses the current and anticipated climate risks by improving housing conditions, infrastructure, and access to basic services. Focusing on the nexus between urban poverty, climate change, and resilience, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of urban adaptation and advocates for policies that foster long-term, inclusive, and sustainable urban development.

Urban ecosystems play a crucial role in providing a wide range of services to their inhabitants, and their functioning is deeply intertwined with the effects of climate change. The present review explores the dynamic interplay between urban ecosystem services and climate change, highlighting the reciprocal relationships, impacts, and adaptation strategies associated with these phenomena. The urban environment, with its built infrastructure, green spaces, and diverse human activities, offers various ecosystem services that enhance the wellbeing and resilience of urban dwellers. Urban ecosystems offer regulatory services like temperature control, air quality upkeep, and stormwater management, plus provisioning like food and water. They also provide cultural benefits, promoting recreation and community unity. However, climate change poses significant challenges to urban ecosystem services. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events can disrupt the functioning of urban ecosystems, impacting the provision of services. Heatwaves and urban heat island effects can compromise human health and energy demands, while changes in rainfall patterns can strain stormwater management systems and lead to flooding. Moreover, climate change can disrupt biodiversity and ecological processes, affecting the overall resilience and sustainability of urban ecosystems. To address these challenges, cities are adopting various adaptation strategies that recognize the interdependence between urban ecosystems and climate change. Green infrastructure interventions, such as the creation of urban parks, green roofs, and community gardens, aim to mitigate the impacts of climate change by enhancing the regulation of temperature, improving air quality, and reducing stormwater runoff. Additionally, urban planning and design approaches prioritize compact and walkable neighborhoods, promoting public transportation and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Furthermore, engaging communities in the management of urban ecosystems and climate change adaptation measures is crucial for ensuring equitable distribution of ecosystem services and building social resilience. Therefore, the review article highlights a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic interrelationship between urban ecosystem services and climate change and their implications. By recognizing and integrating the contributions of urban ecosystems, cities can develop sustainable and resilient strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change, ensuring the wellbeing and habitability of urban environments for present and future generations.

Feeling affected by climate change related natural disasters is an important predictor of engaging in climate change mitigation behavior. We therefore collected data to identify who felt affected by Hurricane Florence, which made landfall in the United States on September 14th, 2018. In the months before Hurricane Florence, we collected survey responses from a nationally representative sample of United States citizens. We measured their attitudes towards climate change, emotional predispositions, and demographic information. Then, in the days after the hurricane, we re-contacted respondents to identify whether or not they felt personally affected by Hurricane Florence. These data can be used first to identify variables associated with climate change attitudes, and second to identify the traits that predispose individuals to feel affected by climate change related disasters.

The effects of climate change is imminent in the future, especially without building resilience of communities across the globe. The alteration in the climate variables often causes extreme events, which often leads to Climate Change Related Disasters (CCRD). This study explored through the resilience of farmers in Barangay Mabalbalino, San Carlos City, Pangasinan, Philippines. Specifically, it described the demographic profile of the respondents; determined the knowledge on climate change and its related disasters, readiness and initiatives towards climate change related disasters, and programs and services towards climate change related disasters. The study utilized qualitative design, specifically using phenomenological method. Farmers were interviewed using an interview schedule. Based from the findings, it was determined that, the farmers were not familiar about the meaning and characteristics of climate change and its related disasters. With regard to farmers' readiness towards CCRD, it was found that they were not resilient towards the phenomenon, this is clearly pictured in the demographic profile of the farmers (i.e. low income and low level education). However, it was known that there were initiatives in the community to adapt to CCRD which makes the farmers resilient at certain degree. These initiatives included elevation of houses, construction of two-storey house for floods and irrigation practices for drought conditions. Without programs and services to combat the effects of CCRD, the farmers were found vulnerable and at risk. Based from the findings, it was therefore recommended to conceptualize programs and services in improving and building the resilience of farmers. In addition, reiteration and adoption of mitigation and adaptation strategies of the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change should further be stipulated to combat CCRD.

Nurses play essential roles in reducing health problems due to climate change

Subaltern forms of knowledge are required to boost local adaptation

Urban residents face increasing risk of heat stress due to the combined impact of climate change and intensification of the urban heat island (UHI) associated with urban growth. Considering the combined effect of urban growth and climate change is vital to understanding how temperatures in urban areas will change in the future. This study investigated the impact of urban growth and climate change on the UHI and heat stress in a subtropical city (Brisbane, Australia) in the present day (1991–2000) and medium term (2041–2050; RCP8.5) during summer. A control and urban growth scenario was used to compare the temperature increase from climate change alone with the temperature increase from climate change and urban growth. Average and minimum temperatures increased more with climate change and urban growth combined than with climate change alone, indicating that if urban growth is ignored, future urban temperatures could be underestimated. Under climate change alone, rural temperatures increased more than urban temperatures, decreasing the effect of the UHI by 0.4 °C at night and increasing the urban cool island by 0.8 °C during the day. With climate change, the number of hot days and nights doubled in urban and rural areas in 2041–2050 as compared to 1991–2000. The number of hot nights was higher in urban areas and with urban growth. Dangerous heat stress, defined as apparent temperature above 40 °C, increased with climate change and occurred on average 1–2 days every summer during 2041–2050, even in shaded conditions. There was higher temperature increases with urban growth and climate change than with climate change alone, indicating that reducing the effect of the UHI is vital to ensuring urban growth does not increase the heat stress risks that urban residents will face in the future.

Water sprays from an open fire hydrant in Brooklyn, New York, in the midst of a July 2010 heat wave that affected much of the eastern United States.In 2007 the New York City Department of Environmental Protection first teamed up with Alianza Dominicana, a Washington Heights community organization, to educate city residents about the appropriate use of fire hydrants and other ways

The work presented below was conducted as part of the World Bank's economic and sector work titled ‘Urban Transport and Climate Change’. It is first a compendium of data—most of it collected as part of the ‘China–GEF–World Bank Urban Transport Partnership Program’—and also provides a preliminary analysis of urban transport characteristics, energy use, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for a diverse set of cities in China. This working paper is not in itself intended to be a strategy for urban transport and climate change in China. It is the view of the authors that this research could be an input toward the development of such a strategy in China and more broadly. Although transport in general, and urban transport in particular, is acknowledged to be an important and growing source of GHG emissions, work still needs to be done to develop robust and standardized datasets and frameworks to support a decision‐making process. The paper is intended as a background document to support ongoing discussions about a climate change strategy and to establish a dataset to be made available as a platform for future studies and further refinement. It is hoped that others will take advantage of the dataset created for this study and use it as a basis for projections, comparative analysis, and to test their own hypothesis. Reviewers of this paper have also raised many specific possibilities and interesting ideas for further work, which are summarized in the conclusions. The authors would particularly like to thank AusAID (the Australian Government's overseas aid program), ESMAP (Energy Sector Management Assistance Program), and GEF (Global Environment Facility) who provided partial financing for this work. The authors would also like to acknowledge the management of the World Bank's Sustainable Development units in East Asia & Pacific Region and Latin American & the Caribbean Region for their support.This article is categorized under: Energy Efficiency > Systems and Infrastructure Energy Infrastructure > Systems and Infrastructure Energy and Climate > Systems and Infrastructure

Urban climate resilience relies on several factors, but urban socioeconomics are considered as a core bloodstream for urban development and building adaptive capability to overcome urban vulnerability and climate change impacts. The socioeconomic indicators are important parameters in assessing urban resilience level on climate-related natural and man-made disasters. This study aims to explore and address the levels of urban vulnerability and resilience in Siem Reap City, Cambodia by using variables of socioeconomic indicators. The research design of this study was made by adopting the HIGS framework (Hazard-Infrastructure-Governance-Socio-economics) on urban vulnerability assessment. Of these four key components of indicators, this study focuses only on twelve socioeconomic indicators by dividing them into three main components (demographic profile, development, and education-poverty-occupation) for assessing vulnerability and exploring how to build urban climate resilience. Data collection and research conducted using commune database data, key informant interviews and focused group discussion with Sangkats (communes) and relevant government agencies in Siem Reap City. The Siem Reap City is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts and has fair resilience toward urban climate change. Siem Reap City remains high ID Poor people. It has a relatively high number of population (especially children and 60 years old) vulnerable to climate change. In addition, the main occupation in this city retains a high attribution of agricultural production, and it has been impacted by climate change. The balanced development should also be made for the communes (Sangkats) that are vulnerable to climate change impacts, especially the green infrastructure, social services, and job creation and livelihood diversification for vulnerable groups, which help reduce the vulnerability of urban areas to climate threats and also key factors for the enhancing response capacity and adaptation of the city, or scalling up small, more local and city-based climate actions.