21
© The Author(s) 2020
D. Geneletti et al., Planning for Ecosystem Services in Cities, SpringerBriefs
in Environmental Science, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20024-4_3
Chapter 3
Reviewing Ecosystem Services in Urban
Climate Adaptation Plans
3.1 Introduction
In this chapter, we focus on one specific type of urban planning instrument, which
has become increasingly common in the last years: urban climate adaptation plans.
In these plans, ecosystem service (ES) knowledge is instrumental to propose strategies for ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change. EbA is defined as the
use of biodiversity and ES to help people to adapt to the adverse effects of climate
change. EbA approaches include management, conservation and restoration of ecosystems that, by delivering ES, can help to reduce climate change exposure and
effects (Munang et al. 2013). EbA can play an important role in urban contexts and
help to cope with increased temperature, flood events, and water scarcity by reducing soil sealing, mitigating the heat island effect, and enhancing water storage
capacity in urban watersheds (Gill et al. 2007; Grimsditch 2011; Müller et al. 2014).
The recent literature has addressed the potential role of EbA in cities (Berndtsson
2010; Bowler et al. 2010b; Müller et al. 2014). In particular, Demuzere et al. (2014)
presented a comprehensive analysis of the available empirical evidence about the
contribution of green infrastructures to climate change adaptation in urban areas.
Nevertheless, the concept of EbA is still relatively new for cities, and little evidence
is available on the inclusion of EbA measures in actual urban plans and policies
(Wamsler et al. 2014). Urban planning, at least in more industrialized countries, has
been increasingly addressing climate adaptation strategies and actions, as shown by
recent reviews of planning documents undertaken for cities in Europe (Reckien
et al. 2014), the UK (Heidrich et al. 2013), Australia (Baker et al. 2012) and North
America (Zimmerman and Faris 2011). However, none of these papers addresses
specifically EbA.
Text and graphics of this chapter are based on: Geneletti D, Zardo
L (2016) Ecosystem-based adaptation in cities: An analysis of
European urban climate adaptation plans. Land use policy
50:38–47. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2015.09.003
© The Author(s) 2020
D. Geneletti et al., Planning for Ecosystem Services in Cities, SpringerBriefs
in Environmental Science, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20024-4_3
Chapter 3
Reviewing Ecosystem Services in Urban
Climate Adaptation Plans
3.1 Introduction
In this chapter, we focus on one specific type of urban planning instrument, which
has become increasingly common in the last years: urban climate adaptation plans.
In these plans, ecosystem service (ES) knowledge is instrumental to propose strategies for ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change. EbA is defined as the
use of biodiversity and ES to help people to adapt to the adverse effects of climate
change. EbA approaches include management, conservation and restoration of ecosystems that, by delivering ES, can help to reduce climate change exposure and
effects (Munang et al. 2013). EbA can play an important role in urban contexts and
help to cope with increased temperature, flood events, and water scarcity by reducing soil sealing, mitigating the heat island effect, and enhancing water storage
capacity in urban watersheds (Gill et al. 2007; Grimsditch 2011; Müller et al. 2014).
The recent literature has addressed the potential role of EbA in cities (Berndtsson
2010; Bowler et al. 2010b; Müller et al. 2014). In particular, Demuzere et al. (2014)
presented a comprehensive analysis of the available empirical evidence about the
contribution of green infrastructures to climate change adaptation in urban areas.
Nevertheless, the concept of EbA is still relatively new for cities, and little evidence
is available on the inclusion of EbA measures in actual urban plans and policies
(Wamsler et al. 2014). Urban planning, at least in more industrialized countries, has
been increasingly addressing climate adaptation strategies and actions, as shown by
recent reviews of planning documents undertaken for cities in Europe (Reckien
et al. 2014), the UK (Heidrich et al. 2013), Australia (Baker et al. 2012) and North
America (Zimmerman and Faris 2011). However, none of these papers addresses
specifically EbA.
Text and graphics of this chapter are based on: Geneletti D, Zardo
L (2016) Ecosystem-based adaptation in cities: An analysis of
European urban climate adaptation plans. Land use policy
50:38–47. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2015.09.003