Adapting to 'inevitability of 40C city'

Climate Change Adaptation ‘by Design Guide’ for sustainable communities, published today by the Town and Country Planning Association, shows how adapting towns and cities to climate change offers enormous potential for creating high value, quality places where people and businesses will want to spend time.

Speaking at the launch today Robert Shaw, TCPA Director (Policy and Projects), said: “We must adapt to the inevitability of the 40oC city.

Without very strong action we will see temperatures in many UK cities sitting above 40oC for long periods of the summer.

The social and economic, not to mention environmental, implications of this will be far reaching and threatens to undermine the long term desirability of towns and cities as places to live and work.”

“Responding to this requires innovative use of space within and around buildings. Ill thought through promotion of high density development in order to save land can do much to exacerbate the problems. Space needs to be left or created for large canopy trees combined with green space and green roofs which can help to keep summer temperatures in cities cooler and minimise the risk of urban flooding.”

The new guide communicates the importance of adapting to some degree of inevitable climate change and illustrates how adaptation can be integrated into the planning, design and development of new and existing communities.

Mr Shaw added: "As our communities change, we can either increase or reduce our vulnerability and exposure to climate risks. With the appropriate policies in place, spatial planning and urban design are vital tools for ensuring that the UK is well adapted in the face of a changing climate. While all urban areas should consider adaptation, new development offers the opportunity to show what can be done. The Sustainable Communities Plan offers the necessary framework to deliver this.”

“Far from being a time consuming and costly burden on those charged with development and regeneration, adapting towns and cities to climate change offers enormous potential for creating high value, quality places where people and businesses will want to spend time.”

Dr Richenda Connell, CTO and Co-founder of Acclimatise, who were commissioned by the TCPA to undertake research for the guide, said:

“Drawing on lots of research, including the Building Knowledge for a Changing Climate programme (managed by UKCIP and EPSRC), the guide uniquely considers how adaptation options are influenced by geographical location and the scale of development.”

“We have considered the interrelated roles of the planning system, developers, investors, communities, other stakeholders and delivery bodies, seeking to ensure a better understanding of climate risks. The guide demonstrates effective adaptation strategies through case studies from around the world.”

The practical and design orientated guide is the third in the TCPA series of ‘by Design’ guides for sustainable communities.

The guide was sponsored by CABE, English Partnerships, RICS and the Environment Agency, with expert input from a range of stakeholders.

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