COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF STRATEGIES FOR ADAPTATION OF URBAN AREAS TO CLIMATE CHANGES

Abstract

Purpose. Managing complex systems, especially those related to environmental bal-ance, is among the most complicated tasks. Climate changes raise challenges for the safety and well being of urban population. Successful solutions to these challenges can be found provided that thorough analysis of the system interactions is conducted. The aim of the paper is to define the most efficient approaches to adapt-ing urban areas to climate changes. Methodology/approach. The system analysis was based on the concep-tual modeling. The three-step procedure included system description, cause-effect analysis, factors weighting and utility calculation. The last step was multi-criteria evaluation, defining most efficient approach to adaptation. Findings. The "city-climate-population" system has multiple components able to amplify the effects of climate changes, but most of them are manageable. The comparison of three alternative approaches - nature-based, organizational and engineering solutions, using multi-criteria evaluation, showed that the complex of nature-based solutions will provide the best result, but the engineering solutions and organizational ones proved to be competitive options. Research limitations/implications. The results of the modeling provide useful back-ground for planning adaptation in cities and efficient use of available resources; however, it doesn’t give ready solutions. Originality/value. The research results demonstrates feasibility of all alternatives, therefore, stake-holders are able to make informative decision, which approach they will pursue, depending on the target issues and finance reserves of a community.