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Publication
Climate adaptation and qualitative and quantitative guidelines for the spatial planning of areas
Book - Report
Spatial policy has a guiding effect, and determines what goes where and under what conditions. In this way, it is involved in both the cause (after all, location policy is an essential part of the mitigation strategy (see Green Paper) and the consequences of climate change (climate adaptation is an integral part of sustainable spatial development). It is therefore very important that the previously formulated action strategies for a climate-proof Flanders are further developed (Alterra Wageningen and Antea Group, 2012).
The study defines the climate challenge both at the level of Flanders and at the level of the urban region, mapping out the sensitivities to the consequences of climate change. Concretely, the sensitivity to (climatic) groundwater dehydration, the drought sensitivity of the soil, the sensitivity to flooding when sea levels rise and when flooding occurs from watercourses, and the sensitivity to the creation of a heat island effect are examined.
Building blocks form the link between the climate task and the urban task. They can be used as spatial design units that contain one or more climate adaptive measures, but for which specific added value is sought at the spatial, urban planning and social level.
The building blocks described are adaptive water landscapes, urban forests, collective gardens, ecological districts, green-blue frameworks, landscape parks, micro-centralities such as cool places, urban fields and water supply and irrigation networks. The complex interplay between the existing spatial structure, the climate challenge and the urban task in Flanders means that the application of these building blocks always requires customisation, as illustrated by the study's design research.
It is the ambition of the design research to integrate the strategies and measures in the existing urban context and to simultaneously represent a new spatial coherence by means of the building blocks according to the new climate logic. In order to select a number of priority zones within a certain study area, an impact map is made of the area. The impact map is formed by combining the climate challenge of the urban region and the vulnerability that is determined by the functions (living and working) and the public character (schools, hospitals, public places). For the development of adaptive measures, a potential map of the priority zones is then drawn up. These maps identify both quick wins (which is currently possible but no one is doing) and structural interventions (with the need for a process structure and resources). Each intervention is formulated on the basis of a climate-adaptive logic in which each element fulfils a relevant function and makes a positive contribution to the urban climate.
The study defines the climate challenge both at the level of Flanders and at the level of the urban region, mapping out the sensitivities to the consequences of climate change. Concretely, the sensitivity to (climatic) groundwater dehydration, the drought sensitivity of the soil, the sensitivity to flooding when sea levels rise and when flooding occurs from watercourses, and the sensitivity to the creation of a heat island effect are examined.
Building blocks form the link between the climate task and the urban task. They can be used as spatial design units that contain one or more climate adaptive measures, but for which specific added value is sought at the spatial, urban planning and social level.
The building blocks described are adaptive water landscapes, urban forests, collective gardens, ecological districts, green-blue frameworks, landscape parks, micro-centralities such as cool places, urban fields and water supply and irrigation networks. The complex interplay between the existing spatial structure, the climate challenge and the urban task in Flanders means that the application of these building blocks always requires customisation, as illustrated by the study's design research.
It is the ambition of the design research to integrate the strategies and measures in the existing urban context and to simultaneously represent a new spatial coherence by means of the building blocks according to the new climate logic. In order to select a number of priority zones within a certain study area, an impact map is made of the area. The impact map is formed by combining the climate challenge of the urban region and the vulnerability that is determined by the functions (living and working) and the public character (schools, hospitals, public places). For the development of adaptive measures, a potential map of the priority zones is then drawn up. These maps identify both quick wins (which is currently possible but no one is doing) and structural interventions (with the need for a process structure and resources). Each intervention is formulated on the basis of a climate-adaptive logic in which each element fulfils a relevant function and makes a positive contribution to the urban climate.
Number of pages: 324
Publication year:2015
Accessibility:Open