Assessing the Benefits of Climate-Sensitive Design with Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Regeneration: A Case Study in Cheltenham, UK

Pourya Torkfar and Alessio Russo ()
Additional contact information
Pourya Torkfar: School of Arts, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham GL50 4AZ, UK
Alessio Russo: School of Arts, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham GL50 4AZ, UK

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 22, 1-22

Abstract: Addressing the challenge of climate adaptation necessitates an evidence-based approach. The integration of nature into urban spaces is vital in mitigating the effects of climate change, which can be accomplished through the regeneration of grey areas. Consequently, the incorporation of nature-based solutions (NBS) becomes indispensable for the creation of climate-resilient public spaces. However, only a few studies have considered climate change simulated data to design climate-resilient spaces in the UK. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the benefits of two scenarios for regenerating an existing car park space in Cheltenham with 30% and 50% NBS. These design scenarios were the outcomes of a 3-day design workshop aiming to create a climate-resilient public space with NBS. Using ENVI-met software (version 5.0.3) and weather data for the second-highest heatwave in Cheltenham, UK, in 2017 and 2050 predictions, we analysed temperature impacts. Results show NBS could reduce the mean radiant temperature by 6 to 15 degrees. An average decrease of 1.2 in the predicted mean vote (PMV) value, indicating an improvement in thermal comfort within the 50% NBS scenario, highlights its climate adaptation benefits. Comparison between the 30% and 50% NBS scenarios reveals the importance of strategy implementation. This evidence will aid future urban projects in designing climate-resilient and healthy cities, benefiting planning authorities, architects, urban planners, landscape architects, and researchers.

Keywords: urban heat island effect; heatwaves; thermal comfort; urban regeneration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/22/15855/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/22/15855/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:22:p:15855-:d:1278244

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().