Adaptation to climate change in cities

Abstract

Urbanization and climate change are two current significant trends of the Earth’s history. Both influence one another. Given the increasing disastrous impacts of global warming it is vital to understand their development and interaction. The concentration of people infrastructures and economic activities in urban areas contributes to the global growth of greenhouse gas emissions. But it also makes cities particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Yet many opportunities lie within the powers held by local governments. In fact through their sectoral policies (land-use planning transport buildings energy use waste management etc.) city governments can develop efficient strategies to mitigate and adapt to the effects of global warming. Adaptation strategies are especially important as they allow connecting local needs with global concerns. The governance structure of the city and the capacity of the different stakeholders to collaborate in the definition and implementation of adaptation plans are therefore essential to ensure that local actions are efficient. This chapter presents the implications of climate change in urban environments and the challenges it raises in terms of adaptation policies. It provides illustrations of responses adopted at the city level and points out at the barriers and opportunities faced by local policy-makers.