Suchergebnisse

Cities are key to climate change mitigation and adaptation in an increasingly urbanized world. As climate, socio-economic, and physical compositions of cities are constantly changing, these need to be considered in their urban climate adaptation. To identify these changes, urban systems can be characterized by physical, functional, and social indicators. Multi-dimensional approaches are needed to capture changes of city form and function, including patterns of mobility, land use, land cover, economic activities, and human behaviour. In this article, we examine how urban structure types provide one way to differentiate cities in general and to what extent socio-economic criteria have been considered regarding the characterization of urban typologies. In addition, we analyse how urban structure types are used in local adaptation strategies and plans to derive recommendations and concrete targets for climate adaptation. To do this, we examine indicators, background data used, and cartographic information developed for and within such urban adaptation plans, focusing in particular on the German cities of Karlsruhe and Berlin. The comparative analysis provides new insights into how present adaptation plans consider physical and social structures, including issues of human vulnerability within cities. Based on the analysis we make recommendations on how to improve the consideration of both physical and socio-economic aspects of a city to support pathways for adaptation.

Integrated Urban hydrometeorological, climate and environmental Services (IUS) is a WMO initiative to aid development of science-based integrated urban services to support safe, healthy, resilient and climate friendly cities. As part of this initiative, Guidance for Integrated Urban Hydrometeorological, Climate and Environmental Services (Volume I) has been developed. The intent of the guidance is to provide an overview of the concept, methods and good practices for producing and providing the services cities require to respond to the hazards across arrange of time scales (weather to climate). Such services involve combing (dense) observation networks, high-resolution forecasts, multi-hazard early warning systems, and climate services. These services should assist cities in setting and implementing mitigation and adaptation strategies that will enable the management and building of resilient and sustainable cities. A multidisciplinary approach helps to meet the social-economic needs. IUS include research, evaluation and delivery with a wide agency participation from city governments, national hydrometeorological services, international organizations, research institutions and private sector stakeholders. An overview of the IUS concept with a few examples of good practices is presented. Key messages and recommendations are provided. Given research agencies globally expect research to provide "Impact" and the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals the urban climate research community will play an important role in helping to deliver IUS internationally. Between us our contributions are needed at all scales: to support local and national communities to delivery IUS and to identify critical research challenges that become apparent as IUS