Tools for Urban Climate Adaptation Plans: A Case Study on Bologna and Outcomes for Heat Wave Impact Reduction

Letizia Cremonini (), Teodoro Georgiadis, Marianna Nardino, Federica Rossi, Alessandro Rossi, Giovanna Pinca and Massimiliano Fazzini
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Letizia Cremonini: Institute for the BioEconomy Italian National Research Council, Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
Teodoro Georgiadis: Institute for the BioEconomy Italian National Research Council, Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
Marianna Nardino: Institute for the BioEconomy Italian National Research Council, Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
Federica Rossi: Institute for the BioEconomy Italian National Research Council, Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
Alessandro Rossi: Italian National Municipalities Association Emiia-Romangna Section (ANCI-ER), Via Solferino 42, 40128 Bologna, Italy
Giovanna Pinca: Italian National Municipalities Association Emiia-Romangna Section (ANCI-ER), Via Solferino 42, 40128 Bologna, Italy
Massimiliano Fazzini: URDIS, University of Camerino, Lungomare Scipioni 6, 63074 San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy

Challenges, 2023, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-11

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of building a coherent frame for the identification of local environmental urban vulnerabilities, coping with heat waves’ increasing threats, and adopting specific adaptation policies in the Emilia-Romagna region. A microclimate model (ENVI-met) was used to simulate temperature regimes in five areas of Bologna, providing ex ante maps enabling us to locate the most vulnerable areas. Adaptation measures were suggested with the support of WMO Guidance 1234 and included recommendations about the introduction of high-albedo building materials and nature-based solutions. The step-by-step methodology developed, coupling local vulnerabilities with adaptation recommendation, integrates a scientific methodology into a political decision. The results, allowing us to widely represent this city’s vulnerability, are considered outstanding with respect to supporting the city’s adaptation ambitions and are now part of the running Bologna General Urban Plan (PUG), which regulates building interventions, introducing the obligation for enterprises to respect or ameliorate the microclimate in all the areas in which they intervene. This tool can be replicated and adapted to any municipal area, as it integrates authoritative WMO solutions with accurate microclimate assessment, thus providing locally tailored adaptation interventions. This paper aims to support the vision, shared by both science and policy makers, of transforming cities into widely resilient systems.

Keywords: adaptation; climate change; urban vulnerabilities; population health; resilience; urban regeneration; heat waves (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A00 C00 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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