Cities—being places where both growth at large and human activity concentrate to the maximum extent, as well as being places of creation, innovation, and development—have been facing the challenge of ...adaptation to changing climate conditions. Successive greening of urban spaces is becoming an indicator of civilisational progress and one of the most important aspects of sustainable urban development and quality of life of city dwellers. It also represents a part of the sustainable management of natural resources and energy in the urban environment. This article addresses the subject of urban space greening, perceived as one of the ways of mitigating the effects of climate change. The study focuses on a comparative analysis of various planning and implementing activities related to green areas, as well as on available quantitative data on the greening and climate change adaptation of 44 Polish cities with urban adaptation plans (UAPs) in place. The research, covering the years 2017–2023, identifies the variety of urban greening methods, initiatives, and tools used in the process of urban planning and urban design. The results of the study showed that measures planned by local authorities lacked detailed tools as well as a long-term and systemic approach to greenery, energy, and space management. On the other hand, what was observed in the implementation was an apparent prevalence of urban acupuncture spots and a failure to make the most of all the benefits of the adaptive, social, and ecosystem-forming role of urban greening. The authors imply that their research can be used to formulate conclusions and guidelines for urban development policies which highlight the role and raise the importance of the greening of Polish cities under all urban investments, particularly in the process of adaptation of urban areas to climate change.
Urban systems are not only major drivers of climate change but also the impact hotspots. In the context of the planet currently undergoing a process of greenhouse warming, and simultaneously ...predominantly urban based ever continuing population growth, our agglomerations became vulnerable to chain reactions triggered by climate related hazards. Hence, the reliable and cost-effective assessment of future impact is of high importance. While the climate community has invested significant effort to provide downscaling techniques yielding localized information on future climate extreme behaviours, these methods do not remain widely exploited in the process of urban planning. In this work, we discuss the underlying reasons and main challenges of the applicability of downscaling procedures in the real process of urban planning. This paper attempts to help bridge the gap between the communities of urban planners and climatology. In the beginning, we summarize the rationale for such cooperation, supporting the argument that the scale represents an important linkage between urbanistic and climate science in the process of designing an urban space. Secondly, we introduce the main families of downscaling techniques and their application on climate projections, also providing the references to profound studies in the field. Thirdly, special attention is given to previous works focused on the utilization of downscaled ensembles of climate simulations in urban agglomerations. Finally, we identify three major challenges of the wider utilization of climate projections and downscaling techniques, namely: (i) the scale mismatch between data needs and data availability, (ii) the terminology, and (iii) the IT bottleneck. The practical implications of these issues are discussed in the context of urban studies.
In this study UHI in Lisbon's Metropolitan Area (LMA) is analyzed through Local Weather Types (LWT) using an air temperature dataset produced by Copernicus. Over 61,000 hourly air temperature maps ...between 2008 and 2014 are extracted, divided into thermal seasons and LWT, and UHI is calculated by the anomaly between each raster cell and a pixel from “Low Plants” Local Climate Zone (LCZ) class. UHI daily cycle is analyzed by LWT. Statistical analysis shows that rainy days produce lower median UHI intensities (close to 0 °C), while sunny days, especially very cold winter days, produce higher UHI intensities (median values close to 1,5 °C). Analysis of the UHI pattern displays a S/SE-N/NW dichotomy in the right bank of the Tagus river and an N-S dichotomy in the Peninsula of Setúbal. The UHI effect is more pronounced in Lisbon, particularly in the riverfront area, and on the opposite bank of Tagus due to the shelter effect of frequent N winds. As previous studies have proven, UHI in LMA is mainly a nighttime phenomenon. This methodology may help decision makers to identify critical heating districts as well as weather conditions most conducive to a significant overheating of the urban atmosphere.
This study applies the Livelihood Vulnerability Index within the IPCC vulnerability framework (LVI-IPCC) to assess the vulnerability of households to climate change in Hue City, Vietnam. The research ...then seeks to identify critical factors contributing to household vulnerability to climate change via a regression model, while concurrently conducting an intersectional analysis that considers gender, geographical location, and economic status. Using a cross-sectional data collection methodology, we surveyed 1080 households across 36 communes/wards in Hue City from October to December 2022 employing a semi-structured questionnaire. Our findings indicate that households situated on the periphery, particularly those recently incorporated, are at a higher risk of vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. Poor households in peri-urban areas are the most susceptible to the impacts of environmental stressors. Furthermore, women are less adaptable than men, partly due to their limited decision-making power. Factors such as household head characteristics, degree of climate risk, food security, knowledge and skills, and social networks are identified as critical in contributing to vulnerability. Reconizing these, our study emphasizes the urgent need for integrated approaches to address multiple dimensions of vulnerability and climate change adaptation in Hue City and beyond. This includes investing in peri-urban areas, addressing poverty and inequality, promoting gender-sensitive approaches, and addressing the critical factors simultaneously to enhance the resilience of cities to climate change and natural disasters.
•This study employed the LVI-IPCC framework to assess vulnerability in Hue City, Vietnam.•The study collected data from 1080 households and conducted an intersectional analysis.•Poor households situated on the periphery face a higher risk of CC vulnerability.•Women exhibit less adaptability compared to men, due to their limited decision-making power.•There is an urgent need for integrated approaches to address multiple dimensions of CC.
•Selecting six LCZ classifications with varying accuracy to control the variation of mapping quality.•Relationship between urban SAT simulation and mapping quality of LCZ are analyzed in ...WRF-UCM.•Simulated urban SAT at the stations is sensitive to the mapping quality of LCZ within 3 to 7 km windows.
Accurate simulation of urban near-surface air temperature (SAT) is essential for understanding climate dynamics. The reliability of the simulated SAT depends largely on the representation of urban morphology. Local Climate Zones (LCZ), as a sort of urban morphology representation, have been widely applied for SAT simulation based on the Weather Research and Forecasting Model coupled with urban canopy model (WRF-UCM). However, how the LCZ mapping quality affects the accuracy of SAT simulation remains underexplored. Here we investigate the relationship between the LCZ mapping quality and the accuracy of SAT simulation in WRF-UCM. The city of Guangzhou, China, is selected as the case study area. Six LCZ classifications are used to simulate SAT at the 1 km resolution, and the results are validated using the meteorological observations. The simulations suggest that the average values of root mean square error decrease if the more accurate LCZ classifications are used. The simulated SAT is also sensitive to the local mapping quality of LCZ classifications within 3 to 7 km windows. Our findings can provide insights for modelers to develop more accurate simulations of SAT, which are fundamental to the understanding of climate change impacts and promote relevant policy making toward sustainable cities.
Human bioclimatic comfort (HBC) is an important subject of climatology in the field of physical geography. Human bioclimatic comfort (HBC) is the feeling of satisfied and comfortable within the ...ambient atmospheric thermal environment. Earth climate system has been exposed to changes from the beginning, but since 19
th
century human – induced factors have contributed to these changes. HBC is the combined effect of atmospheric conditions and affected by all the changes in them. Turkey is among the countries in Mediterranean region, expected to develop higher vulnerabilities to the (bio) climate hazards. Therefore, a Mediterranean city in the south of the country, Adana, was chosen as the study area. HBC assessment was made for the past (1961 – 1990), present (1991 – 2022), near (2030 – 2060) and distant future (2070 – 2100) using hourly - data from the official meteorology station between 1961 and 2022, daily data of the climate model scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathway - RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) and Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) index, the Rayman model and Geographic Information Systems in the spatial distribution of HBC conditions. The analysis showed that the prevalence of "cold" and "cool" stresses has decreased while that of "hot" and "very hot" stresses has increased from the past to the present in Adana. It is predicted that present conditions will continue in the near and distant future, all comfort ranges will increase to the following warm range and the ideal period for HBC conditions will be the winter season. In order to reduce the adverse HBC conditions in cities due to climate change by creating climate resilient, sustainable and healthy cities, urban design and planning principles should be followed from a geographical point of view.
This research studies urban climate justice in hot-arid regions by assessing the Isfahan metropolitan area's vulnerability to heat and drought and analyzing related socio-economic and housing ...inequalities. The hybrid F'ANP model has been implemented to develop one multiple and four sectoral vulnerability indices. Afterward, this study analyzes inequalities and, consequently, climate justice based on the association between sensitive socio-economic and housing groups with vulnerability indices using the OLS and MGWR models. The results indicate that Isfahan's northern neighborhoods are more vulnerable to heat and drought than other neighborhoods due to the high building compactness, population density, and the small area of blue-green infrastructure. Isfahan's vulnerability to heat and drought is more associated with housing types than socio-economic characteristics on both metropolitan and local scales. There is a significant association with the proportion of rent, small, old, and unsafe houses with vulnerability to heat and drought. In several neighborhoods, elderlies are more exposed to heat than other citizens. In contrast, low-income households residing in the eastern and western margins are less exposed to heat and drought than high-income households due to the large green lands. However, they have less access to crucial infrastructure, making them more vulnerable to heat and drought.
•The vulnerability of Isfahan's neighborhoods to heat and drought was assessed.•Climate justice was studied considering socio-economic and housing inequalities.•The hybrid F'ANP model and OLS and MGWR regressions were implemented.•Isfahan's northern neighborhoods are more vulnerable to heat and drought.•Housing sensitive groups are more exposed to heat and drought vulnerability.
More frequent and severe heat waves rank among the most serious impacts of climate change in Central Europe. At the same time, increasing awareness of the importance of municipalities acting in ...climate change adaptation leads to a higher demand for urban climate modelling. In this study we use MUKLIMO_3 model for a simulation of spatiotemporal pattern of air temperature in Prague and Brno. Our aim is to simulate theoretical land cover modifications and their potential impacts on air temperature during a heat wave event. The model suggests that an albedo increased by 0.25 leads to a difference of −0.2 °C in daily average temperature in both Prague and Brno while an albedo increased by 0.5 leads to a daily average temperature difference of −0.5 °C in Prague and − 0.4 °C in Brno. Increasing the number of trees by 30% generally leads to higher temperatures during daytime and lower temperatures during night-time. In most neighbourhoods the cooling effect of additional trees was 0.0 °C to −0.2 °C on the daily average. In some cases of compact midrise development, additional trees might even cause an increase in temperature. This fact underlines the importance of careful individual assessment of adaptation measures before their implementation at particular locations.
•urban climate adaptation measures can be simulated using MUKLIMO_3 model.•increased albedo leads to an average daily air temperature difference of up to −0.5 °C.•cooling effect of adding trees into compact neighbourhoods is not straightforward.•individual assessment of adaptation measures is important before implementation.
This study employs an evaluated Surface Urban Energy and Water Balance Scheme (SUEWS) model driven by Local Climate Zone (LCZ)-derived urban canopy parameters to explore landscape heterogeneity's ...impacts on the partitioning of surface energy fluxes and heat stress variations in Lagos, Nigeria. The results reveal that LCZ-based SUEWS effectively replicates the diurnal patterns of air temperature (Tair), relative humidity (RH), and land surface temperature (LST). The root mean square error (RMSE) for simulated Tair and RH ranges from 0.4 °C to 1.2 °C and 1.8% to 8.0%, respectively. While a nighttime warm bias in LST is observed, it reduces during the daytime. Significant spatial variability in turbulent heat fluxes and LST among LCZs is noted, with core urban LCZs experiencing notable increases in sensible heat flux and LST, while suburban LCZs exhibit higher latent heat flux values. Anthropogenic heat flux peaks in high compact low-rise LCZ 3, reaching a maximum of 95 W/m2. Remarkably, no significant difference is found in the diurnal heat stress cycle among LCZs, despite consistently elevated heat stress levels in high compact LCZs. These findings offer valuable insights into quantifying surface energy flux variabilities and spatio-temporal heat stress patterns in a densely populated tropical city- Lagos Nigeria.
•SUEWS simulated high-res weather variables in a tropical high-dense city.•Urban land cover significantly affects surface energy fluxes.•Compact, dense LCZs exhibit higher turbulent heat fluxes and LST.•Anthropogenic heat flux estimated at 23 W/m2, with peaks up to 95 W/m2.
One near-term expression of climate change is increased occurrence and intensity of extreme heat events. The evolution of extreme heat risk in cities depends on the interactions of large-scale ...climate change with regional dynamics and urban micro-climates as well as the distribution and demographic characteristics of people who live and work within these micro-climate areas. Here we use California as a testbed where we employ a suite of high-resolution (1.5 km) future regional climate simulations coupled with a satellite-driven urban canopy model and a spatially explicit population projection to investigate the interacting effects of climate change, population growth, and urban heat mitigation measures, such as cool roofs, on exposure to extreme heat events. We find that climate change and population growth reinforce with one another to drive substantial increases in future exposure to heat extremes, which are poised to become more frequent, longer, and more intense. Exposure to events analogous to historic high-mortality extreme heat waves increases by 3.5-6 folds. Widespread implementation of cool roofs can offset a substantial fraction (51%-100%) of the increased heat exposure and associated building energy demand owing to climate change in urbanized regions.
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