Gericht als Chance

Urban areas have been identified as one of the key challenges to tackle in the next decades. Most of the environmental impacts associated to urban contexts are linked to an unsustainable use of resources basically due to urban planning and society’s consumption behaviour. Currently, the paradigm of sustainable cities brought out in the past years situates urban contexts as an opportunity to reduce these impacts. There is a wide range of strategies focused on cities and their transition to a more sustainable urban model: compactness, sustainable mobility, energy efficiency, waste management and greening are some of the most relevant approaches with clear indicators and implementation plans. However, rural areas are still pending for a precise strategy that highlights their ecological added value avoiding to be defined only as “not urban”. Rural areas should be emphasized from their productivity perspective and their key role in terms of resilience and adaptation to Climate Change. In the framework of the Interreg Med Programme, Thematic Communities are working on the capitalisation of projects from different kind of approaches of application in the Mediterranean Area. Four of these communities - Renewable Energy, Green Growth, Sustainable Tourism and Efficient Buildings - have several projects that present rural areas as one common territory of intervention. The aim of this paper is to expose the standards and goals proposed by the Interreg Med Thematic Communities for Rural Areas Revitalization as a resilience strategy in the Mediterranean Region, using a cross-cutting approach. The cross-cutting approach stresses the relation among the environment, society and economy: rural liveability, increasing RES production with sharing microgrid systems & efficient buildings, as well as green economy based on sectors such as agricultural & tourism activities. These standards and results will provide reference values to shape final policies recommendations. Consequently, the present paper is based on the joint cross-thematic effort and work from four thematic communities of the Interreg MED programme, previously mentioned. It includes some references to existing research studies, but the aim is to open the path to identify new challenges of Mediterranean rural areas and find potential solutions from a holistic approach.

The Paleo paradox: Re-wilding as a health strategy across scales in the anthropocene

Micro-scale UHI risk assessment on the heat-health nexus within cities by looking at socio-economic factors and built environment characteristics: The Turin case study (Italy)

To reduce the vulnerable impacts of climate change, it is now important to identify a climate-change adaptation or resilience strategy that would reduce the hazard risk in urban areas from possible climate change-induced flooding, temperature rise, sea-level rise, landslides, and earthquakes. In an urban area, open spaces can build the risk management capacity of urban areas. Based on their multi-functional capability, different types of open spaces are used for different functions, including spaces for recreation and relaxation, agriculture and gardening, ventilation and cooling, water absorption and groundwater recharge, and stationary or traffic and transportation for the public. It has been observed that traditionally, a network of Green-Blue-Grey (GBG) spaces provided the necessary safety net to hazards. GBG is ecosystem-based hybrid approaches that take advantage of ecosystem functions and the efficacy of more engineered systems to deliver the adaptive measure of urban design. Through case studies and literature review, this paper attempts to identify the vulnerabilities of possible climate change-induced hazards and identify types and patterns of distribution of open spaces to mitigate the risk and explore their role in making climate change resilient urban areas besides their traditional use. The literature of global scenario also shows that open space networking in an urban area can create a cost-effective climate-change adaptation/resilience approach for urban design. This paper highlights a hybrid approach that integrates the green, blue, and grey open space as an effective, sustainable strategy for climate change adaptation and hazard risk reduction approaches in the urban context.

Because of climate change, present-day buildings will be subject to more extreme conditions by the end of the century. Indoor overheating will increase in summer, resulting in severe thermal discomfort or significant cooling needs to avoid heat stress. Existing buildings therefore need to be adapted. However, current renovation strategies are generally aimed at reducing heating energy consumption. This study presents a methodology for assessing the impact of climate change during summer and heatwave periods on indoor overheating of an existing building within an urban context. The proposed methodology is applied to the case study of a French urban dwelling within an energy-efficient renovated building. The thermo-aeraulic dwelling model built on TRNSYS and CONTAM, as well as the urban heat island model implemented on UWG, are calibrated and validated thanks to a field measurement campaign of a multi-family building in Lyon during the summer of 2022. Results show that thermal discomfort will rise sharply by the end of the century, and could reach extreme levels in the worst emission scenario. Use of windows and solar protections allows to reduce the percentage of time over 28 °C from 40 % to 54 % depending on the future scenario. Ventilation by opening windows, which is the most commonly used cooling passive strategies, continue to be essential to reduce indoor overheating in high insulated building under future climates. However, its efficiency is very dependent of occupant behaviour.

In a time of rapid social and demographic change, growing exposure to risk factors due to climate change, resource shortages, migration strain and adverse economic conditions are sources of stress and continuous instability in urban contexts. Arup conceived the City Resilience Framework for the Rockefeller Foundation. ‘Housing’ is the only form of construction included within this framework. It is one of the action areas in its strategy for improving urban resilience. This article seeks to provide a methodological contribution, hypothesizing requisites for resilience, preventative procedures and ex-post validation that moves beyond an emergency approach to foster the resilience of residential construction and its measurability in all phases of the construction process.

Ecological design is crucial in shaping contemporary, resilient, and livable cities. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Refinery, a prominent landmark in the Mid-Atlantic, serves as an exemplary case study for understanding advanced metropolitan processes and integrating trans-scalar, transdisciplinary, and nature-based solutions (NBS) practices into urban contexts. This article explores the challenges of transforming obsolete industrial areas, including the refinery’s decommissioning process, its port, and industrial heritage value, and their relationship with the sea, into vibrant urban cores. It examines innovative strategies for land use, decontamination, and urban resilience, which are vital for fostering adaptability and recovery from natural and anthropogenic disasters. By emphasizing the refinery’s connection to Santa Cruz de Tenerife and its metropolitan area, as well as its coastal interface, this study proposes a comprehensive methodology to assess the territorial impacts of urban processes and guide project decisions toward enhancing the quality of life for the region’s residents.

A toolchain to evaluate the impact of urban heat island and climate change on summer overheating at district level

This paper examines the impact of climate change on underground traffic tunnel infrastructure, specifically focusing on the increased pluvial flooding risk associated with changing precipitation patterns and extreme weather events. We are presenting a 2D hydrodynamic model designed to assess and enhance the flood resilience of these tunnels during torrential events. The case study conducted in Belgrade, Serbia, evaluates the effectiveness of proposed flood risk management techniques aimed at safeguarding the city's underground transportation infrastructure from potential flooding. Using the Direct Rainfall Method (DRM), our model simulates rainfall events with various return periods (e.g., 10, 100, and 500 years) to provide a comprehensive assessment of flood impacts on tunnel infrastructure. Detailed topographical data is utilized to accurately capture the complex geometry of the tunnel system and its urban context, allowing for a thorough investigation of factors such as tunnel portal design, raising entrance to the tunnel, drainage system capacity, surface runoff management, and the implications for traffic flow and emergency response. The simulations reveal critical insights into water levels, discharge, and inundation zones under differing rainfall scenarios. The findings underscore the necessity for resilient design strategies, including road design adaptations (elevation adjustments), construction of flood barriers, implementation of effective water management systems, and sustainable drainage solutions. Furthermore, future considerations regarding these issues are focused on the integration of green construction practices and energy-efficient designs as strategies to enhance the resilience of tunnel infrastructure in response to climate-related challenges. By delineating flood-prone areas and proposing targeted drainage improvements, this research contributes to developing effective flood risk management plans. Ultimately, this study emphasizes the importance of integrated and systemic approach that merges planning strategies and structural improvements to bolster the safety and resilience of the Belgrade underground transportation system, solving similar issues on tunnelling projects worldwide.

Adaptive governance is an emerging theory in natural resource management. This paper addresses a gap in the literature by exploring the potential of adaptive governance for delivering resilience and sustainability in the urban context. We explore emerging challenges to transitioning to urban resilience and sustainability: bringing together multiple scales and institutions; facilitating a social–ecological-systems approach; and embedding social and environmental equity into visions of urban sustainability and resilience. Current approaches to adaptive governance could be helpful for addressing these first two challenges but not in addressing the third. Therefore, this paper proposes strengthening the institutional foundations of adaptive governance by engaging with institutional theory. We explore this through empirical research in the Rome Metropolitan Area, Italy. We argue that explicitly engaging with these themes could lead to a more substantive urban transition strategy and contribute to adaptive governance theory.

Simple SummaryIn the summer of 2019–2020, a series of more than 15,000 bushfires raged across Australia in a catastrophic event called Australia’s Black Summer. An estimated 3 billion native animals, and whole ecosystems, were impacted by the bushfires, with many endangered species pushed closer to extinction. Zoos Victoria was part of a state-led bushfire response to assist wildlife, alongside government, non-government organisations, and key partners. Here, we detail the role of Zoos Victoria in wildlife triage and welfare, threatened species evacuation and recovery, media and communications, and fundraising during and after the fires. We provide case studies on the triage, care, release, and monitoring of injured koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus); the evacuation and return of endangered eastern bristlebirds (Dasyornis brachypterus) and brush-tailed rock wallabies (Petrogale penicillata); and the development of nutritionally suitable supplementary food and emergency feeding of critically endangered mountain pygmy-possums (Burramys parvus). We share our strategies for future resilience and readiness for similar catastrophic events, as well as the development of triage protocols, emergency response kits, emergency enclosures, captive breeding programs, and nature-based healing for communities directly affected by the fires. We hope that by outlining these contributions from a zoo-based conservation organisation, other zoos and wildlife organisations, both nationally and internationally, may be assisted or encouraged to commit resources and build expertise to assist wildlife in catastrophic events.Modern zoos are increasingly taking a leading role in emergency management and wildlife recovery. In the face of climate change and the predicted increase in frequency and magnitude of catastrophic events, zoos provide specialised expertise to assist wildlife welfare and endangered species recovery. In the 2019–2020 Australian bushfire season, now called Australia’s Black Summer, a state government-directed response was developed, assembling specialised individuals and organisations from government, non-government organisations, research institutions, and others. Here, we detail the role of Zoos Victoria staff in wildlife triage and welfare, threatened species evacuation and recovery, media and communications, and fundraising during and after the fires. We share strategies for future resilience, readiness, and the ability to mobilise quickly in catastrophic events. The development of triage protocols, emergency response kits, emergency enclosures, and expanded and new captive breeding programs is underway, as are programs for care of staff mental health and nature-based community healing for people directly affected by the fires. We hope this account of our response to one of the greatest recent threats to Australia’s biodiversity, and steps to prepare for the future will assist other zoos and wildlife organisations around the world in preparations to help wildlife before, during, and after catastrophic events.

The Mediterranean region is increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including rising temperatures, urban heat islands, and escalating energy demands. In response, Urban Building Energy Modelling (UBEM) has emerged as a pivotal tool for assessing and optimizing energy performance at the city scale. This study integrates Six Sigma methodologies—specifically the DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control) framework—into UBEM processes to enhance precision, reduce variability, and drive data-driven decision-making in two Mediterranean cities: Amman, Jordan, and Seville, Spain. By applying Six Sigma techniques such as root cause analysis, process mapping, and statistical control charts within the UBEM workflow, this research demonstrates how systematic quality improvement strategies can be used to refine energy models, identify inefficiencies, and optimize retrofitting pathways. The case studies reveal that integrating Six Sigma enables stakeholders to implement more resilient and adaptive urban planning strategies, by leveraging findings into structured problem-solving framework, which enhances robustness of UBEM, particularly in contexts with heterogeneous building stocks, varying climatic conditions, and socio-economic disparities. The study contributes actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and sustainability managers by showcasing a novel approach to urban energy resilience through the lens of operational excellence.

Urban resilience frameworks and strategies currently taken up in cities around the globe fall short of adequately preparing urban communities for the scale of change that many will face in coming decades. For cities aiming to address the impacts of climate change in a proactive sense as well as post-disaster, urban resilience presents itself as a useful frame, grounded in both ecological systems theory and psychological theory. This chapter tackles the question of where the notion of resilience helps, and where it holds cities back, in terms of urban planning and policy. Resilience in the urban planning and policy context may hold cities back because it lacks normative value in social and political spheres. That is, while concepts such as social justice and sustainable development suggest a normative direction for planning toward the improvement of our communities, resilience thinking does not imply any value-based criteria by which communities might determine how best to “bounce back” or “bounce forward.” Additional tools for urban resilience planning are needed, and we suggest and elaborate here upon two: the development path and regenerative sustainability. The notion of the development path originated within the IPCC process and draws upon futures studies, scenario planning and backcasting, in order to understand the social and political change and decision making implications of responding to climate change. The second concept we offer, regenerative sustainability, can be considered as the work of increasing the capacity of the current generation to give back more than we receive. The contribution of these two concepts to the value of urban resilience thinking in political contexts is explained through a discussion of five possible scenarios of urban transformation, which vary in terms of the social and political intentions at work in the strategies needed to build resilience.

Resilience, originally viewed as a psychological capacity to ‘bounce back’ from challenges, is now understood to be shaped by broader social inequalities, including gender, socio‐economic status, politics and ethnicity. This study explores how stories and narratives can help nurture resilience and improve well‐being among those residing in an urban slum community. We conducted a qualitative study involving focus group and individual interviews with a purposive sample of children ( N = 28, aged 10–18) and parents ( N = 20) of children in the same age range. The data were subjected to an inductive thematic analysis. The data analysis resulted in three main themes: (1) narrative preferences and character identification, (2) stories linked to salutary factors and (3) gendered storytelling. Participants linked factors such as hope, empathy, bravery, support and perseverance to resilience through shared stories, helping them make meaning of the challenges they experienced. The findings indicate that stories were valued by both children and parents across all ages, with resilience understood as a health‐promoting process that supports well‐being amid adversity. Exploring storytelling and resilience in marginalized urban slum contexts highlights how narratives help build resilience and coping strategies in these communities.

The forced migration of nearly 6 million Venezuelans is a global issue that is transforming urban contexts, particularly in Latin America. Ecuador is the third main recipient country of displaced Venezuelans. The lack of State migration policies and the deteriorating economic situation throughout the region have had significant impacts on migrants. While food security and migration have been studied extensively in Latin America, their intersection remains under-explored. Through a systematic review and focus group research, this exploratory study analyzes the food security conditions of Venezuelans in Ecuador and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the levels of food insecurity using an intersectional approach. Quantitative, systematic review results demonstrate that demands for food assistance outweighed the planning and provisions supplied by both state and non-state actors. Focus groups results support the findings from the systematic review and demonstrate that in the medium-sized port cities of Manta and Machala, food demands during the pandemic lockdown measures were met through the direct food supply and resilience strategies, including the securing of personal loans and bartering. In contrast, in the cities of Quito and Huaquillas, strict enforcement of COVID-19 lockdown measures, reduced access to work and systematic food access and increased reliance on food assistance from non-governmental actors. This study also found that the impacts of food (in)security in the context of COVID-19 disproportionately affected women in all cities, as they offered their food rations to meet the needs of their children, grandchildren, or other dependents.