Integrating climate change adaptation strategies in urban planning and landscape design of Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia

Abstract

AbstractClimate change (CC) is now recognized as posing a serious threat to the sustainable development of Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia. As a consequence, city authorities are showing increasing interest in combating CC by streamlining adaptation measures into city development planning through a comprehensive and integrated approach. Nevertheless, in the past, the integration of CC adaptation into urban planning (UP) and landscape design (LD) was not given adequate consideration by planners and designers due to lack of knowledge regarding CC and the efforts that can be taken to mitigate its effects. The objective of this work is:• To summarize the current state of knowledge of, and conceptualization of, the core elements of CC impacts and responses in Addis Ababa in terms of their implications for UP and LD in the city;• To develop a common understanding among urban planners and related professionals of how improvements in UP and LD can contribute to CC adaptation; and• To mainstream CC in future UP and LD endeavors.The results of this study show that integrating CC adaptation and other response options into UP and LD at the city, subcity/catchment, neighborhood, site/project, and building levels will enhance the sustainability of the city with respect to its resilience to flood risk hazards, water supply during drought periods, and urban heat island effects.