1. three-year project – September 2008 to August 2011
Regions for Economic Change Brussels, 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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