Urban Resilience Policy Instruments: How Local Strategic Documents Address Greening and Rainwater Management—Case Studies from Polish Cities

Abstract

Featured Application: The adaptation of cities to climate change is critical for ensuring public safety and well-being. Consequently, sustainable rainwater management and land-use planning that promote greener urban environments are indispensable. Climate change adaptation has become a central policy priority, requiring coordinated and systematic action. Cities, as areas highly exposed to climate-related risks, increasingly assume responsibility for implementing effective adaptation measures. In this context, municipalities are required to incorporate Urban Greening and Rainwater Management Concepts into their Climate Adaptation Plans. This paper presents a structured methodology for developing these strategic concepts as components of a City Adaptation Plan, in accordance with recent legislative mandates in Poland. Through case studies conducted in two Polish cities, we demonstrate an integrated approach that combines geospatial analysis, climate projections, planning document review, and participatory stakeholder workshops to produce comprehensive Greening and Rainwater Management Concepts. The methodology enables the identification of vulnerable areas and priority interventions for climate adaptation, strengthens the integration of nature-based solutions into urban planning, and reframes rainwater as a resource within urban systems. The resulting documents provide municipal authorities with an evidence-based framework for resilience planning, supporting funding applications and guiding future green infrastructure and drainage investments. The approach contributes to enhanced urban ecosystem services, improved flood mitigation and thermal regulation, participatory planning processes, and a stronger foundation for long-term urban resilience.