three-year project – September 2008 to August 2011 Regions for Economic Change Brussels, 23-24 June 2011 Diane Smith, GRaBS Project Manager & TCPA European & Corporate Affairs Manager three-year project – September 2008 to August 2011 funded under INTERREG IVC Programme

London Borough of Sutton Province of Styria Northwest Regional Development Agency Nieuw-West City District, Amsterdam City of Malmo Klaipeda University Coastal Research and Planning Institute University of Manchester Regional Environmental Centre for Eastern Europe (Slovakia) TCPA Partnership made up of….14 partners from 8 member states London Borough of Sutton Province of Styria Municipality of Kalamaria Southampton City Council University of Catania Etnambiente Province of Genoa 2

GRaBS objective Overall objective urban development is adapted to the ‘to ensure existing and new mixed use urban development is adapted to the impact of climate change through improving local and regional planning policy to put in place green and blue infrastructure; and to facilitate the much needed exchange of knowledge and experience and the actual transfer of good practice on climate change adaptation strategies to local and regional authorities across Europe’ Blue infrastructure = water bodies, rivers, streams, floodplains and sustainable drainage systems There is likely to be significant urban warming above that expected for rural areas, at a time when urban areas are under pressure to increase densification. The urban environment has distinctive biophysical features in relation to surrounding rural areas. These include altered energy exchange creating an urban heat island, and changes to hydrology such as increased surface runoff of rainwater. Urbanisation replaces vegetated surfaces, which provide shading, evaporative cooling, rainwater interception, storage and infiltration functions, with impervious surfaces. However, urban green spaces can provide vital areas within the built environment where such processes can take place. These ecosystem services provided by urban green space are often overlooked and undervalued. For example trees are felled for the perceived threat they pose near highways and buildings, infill development takes place on former gardens, front gardens are paved to provide parking space and biodiverse 'wasteland' earmarked for redevelopment. 3

Dissemination Outputs GRaBS activities Mentoring and Staff Exchange Programme Database of Good Practice Case Studies Thematic Seminars and Study Visits Adaptation Action Plans and High Level Policy Statements Concrete actions Delivery mechanisms Measurable targets Vulnerability/Risk Assessment Tool Adaptation Research Policy and Practice (outside GRaBS) Panel of EU Experts on Climate Change Adaptation Communication and Dissemination Outputs Community Stakeholder Networks Source: Jeremy Carter, University of Manchester 4

SWOT Analyses – Common Themes Weaknesses Lack of political awareness – need ‘champions’ to drive for change Focus more towards mitigation over adaptation Strengths Good level of climate change expertise available Opportunities ‘Hooks’ for adaptation due to multifunctional nature of green and blue space, eg attractiveness for tourism/economic competitiveness EU Directives as levers e.g. SEA/Floods/Habitats Directives, and Adaptation White Paper/Aarhus Convention Threats Economic climate (cut backs) + political climate (e.g. elections) Lack of strategic coordination/cooperation 5

adaptation action plans AAPs = to protect and enhance the quality of life in each partner area and help partner organisations and their communities prepare for the impacts of climate change and extreme weather To build the capacity of each partner and its local community of stakeholders to deliver individually tailored adaptation responses, and address barriers to change To raise awareness and understanding of climate change and the need to adapt To strengthen decision-making processes to adopt adaptation principles and practices To ensure new development and infrastructure is located, designed and constructed for a changing climate To help business, public sector organisations and other institutions incorporate the impacts of climate change into their strategy and plan-making processes …they include a SWOT Analysis and a High Level Policy Statement… to build adaptive capacity of authorities, stakeholders, community groups to deliver tailored adaptation actions to strengthen decision-making processes to ensure new development is located, designed and constructed for a changing climate 6

exchanging experience and expertise Mentoring Visits - timed to help develop AAPs by implementing SWOT Analyses, and gain first- hand knowledge of climate change impacts/solutions in host location Workshops, Thematic Seminars & Study Visits Scandinavia, Netherlands, Freiburg

integrated approach Regional Stakeholder Networks Community Networks Raising awareness amongst deliverers and decision- makers Engaging broad audience to ensure development is adapted to climate change Community Network Events and Stakeholder Meetings to contribute to AAP development

GRaBS - legacy Eleven Adaptation Actions Plans Eleven High Level Policy Statements Risk & Vulnerabilities Assessment Tool Case Study Database Seven Expert Papers Three Policy Guidelines Five Briefing Papers Improve regional decision and policy making process – in 8 EU member states – in the context of climate change Urban areas vulnerable to increased temps and flooding – can reduce this risk with regional spatial planning and urban design Green infrastructure = gardens, parks, productive landscapes, green corridors and green roofs and walls 9