Town planning: A vital tool for climate action.
Introduction
At the 27th Conference of Parties in Egypt, urban planning was recognized as an important response to mitigating and adapting to climate change.[1] The Glasgow Pact, reached at COP26, expects countries to update and integrate adaptation into local, national, and regional planning.[2] ?As the impacts of climate change are being felt across the globe, the role of town planning in fostering resilient and sustainable communities has become more important. For several reasons, urban town planning can be a major tool in tackling climate change. This article discusses the intersection of climate change and urban planning. We emphasize the necessity for adaptive strategies and innovative solutions. ?Furthermore, the article discusses the principles of sustainable development, highlighting how energy-efficient building designs, green infrastructure, and improved public transportation systems can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. It also examines adaptive measures, such as flood management, heat mitigation, and resilient infrastructure, essential for reducing vulnerability.
Why town planning is necessary for climate action.
Proper town planning can be used to mitigate carbon emissions. This benefit can be derived through developing non-motorized transport avenues like walking and cycling. This will be achieved through building an interconnected city.[3] Town planning further reduces carbon emissions through the enforcement of energy-efficient building designs.
Secondly, building climate-resilient infrastructure is an adaptative strategy that curbs the damage of climate crises.[4] For instance, coastal areas can be constructed with improved drainage systems, flood zones, etc., while building foundations can be elevated. Hot urban areas can incorporate green spaces, tree planting, heat-reflective materials, etc. This ensures that climate crisis does not have fatal effects on the populace. Town planning and green infrastructure are necessary as they create job opportunities while also preventing economic loss that comes from climate disasters.
Integrating Climate Goals into Town Planning
Town planning can play a significant role in efficiently managing climate crises. By mapping out the urban architecture with climate change in mind, the adverse effects of climate change can be anticipated and managed effectively. The role of town planning in climate action includes:
3.????? Green Infrastructure: Green Infrastructure is a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas with other environmental features, designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services, while also enhancing biodiversity.[7] Green infrastructure is a feature that births several benefits to climate action using town planning.[8] This is usually achieved through installing vegetation on rooftops to improve insulation, reduce urban heat islands, and manage stormwater, planting trees and creating urban forests to enhance air quality, provide shade, and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, building bioswales and rain gardens to capture and filter stormwater, reducing the risk of flooding and water pollution, etc.
4. Energy-Efficient Building Designs: Town planning can be used to ensure energy efficiency and a reduction in carbon footprint in well-planned urban areas. Energy efficiency in building designs can be achieved through strategies like using natural light, ventilation, and thermal mass to reduce the need for artificial heating, cooling, and lighting, utilizing solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy technologies to supply buildings with clean energy, using sustainable building materials such as recycled, locally sourced, and low-emission products to reduce the environmental impact of construction, and using energy-efficient appliances.
The above-listed strategies reduce the number of vehicles on the road and lower greenhouse gas emissions, enhance the resilience of urban areas, improve air quality, and promote sustainable water management. They all contribute significantly to reducing climate change and mitigating its adverse effects.
Practical Adaptation Mechanisms Through Town Planning
The avenues through which town planning can be adapted to fight climate change include:
1.????? Flood management
With rising sea levels, artificial rain, and other extreme weather conditions, the risk of flooding has increased, and adequate measures must be put in place to prevent heavy loss. Through proper town planning, flood management can be deployed to counter the effect of climate change. This can be done through several means:
§? Designating areas prone to flooding as flood zones restrict development in these high-risk areas. This approach helps to minimize property damage and loss of life during flood events.
§? Levees, floodwalls, and embankments can be erected to protect urban areas from riverine and coastal flooding. These structures can be combined with floodgates and pump systems to manage water flow and mitigate flood impact.
§? The restoration and preservation of natural floodplains and wetlands to enhance their capacity to absorb floodwaters. This not only mitigates flooding but also supports biodiversity and ecosystem services.
§? Constructing green roofs, permeable pavements, and bioswales to enhance the city's ability to manage stormwater naturally, reducing the burden on drainage systems.
§? Maintenance of urban drainage systems to efficiently handle heavy rainfall and prevent waterlogging. This includes enlarging stormwater drains, constructing retention basins, and integrating sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS).
2.????? Appropriate zoning
Zoning an urban area appropriately is a practical town planning measure that can be employed as a climate solution.[9] This can be achieved through:
§? Encouraging mixed-use development that combines residential, commercial, and recreational spaces to reduce the need for long commutes and promote sustainable living.
§? Establishing green belts and protected areas around cities to limit urban expansion, preserve natural landscapes, and provide recreational opportunities for residents.
§? Offering incentives for developers to incorporate sustainable practices and green infrastructure into their projects, such as tax breaks, grants, etc.
3.????? Heat control
Climate change contributes significantly to the heating of urban areas. Through adequate town planning, measures can be implemented to mitigate heat effects in urban areas.[10] This can be achieved through the following means:
§? Planting of trees, creation of parks, and establishment of urban forests can provide shade, reduce surface temperatures, and improve air quality.
§? Employing reflective materials for rooftops, pavements, and road surfaces to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat. Cool roofs and cool pavements can significantly lower urban temperatures.
§? Installing vegetation on building rooftops and walls to provide insulation, reduce heat absorption, and enhance urban biodiversity.
§? Designing urban areas to maximize natural ventilation, reduce heat retention, and create shaded walkways and open spaces that encourage airflow.
§? Incorporating fountains, ponds, and other water features into urban design to help cool the surrounding air through evaporation.
4.????? Infrastructural resilience
A resilient infrastructure can withstand extreme weather conditions and ensure the continued functioning of urban systems. Building a resilient infrastructural network can sufficiently mitigate climate change effects. Some of the ways of achieving these are through:
§? Updating construction standards to ensure that new buildings and infrastructure can withstand extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes, floods, and heat waves.
§? Retrofitting existing infrastructure to improve its resilience to climate impacts. This may involve reinforcing bridges, elevating roads, and installing flood protection measures.
§? The use of durable and climate-resilient materials in construction to enhance the longevity and performance of infrastructure under changing climatic conditions.
§? Developing comprehensive emergency preparedness and response plans that include early warning systems, evacuation routes, and disaster recovery strategies.
Through a well-planned urban architecture, climate actions can be effectively implemented to mitigate the harmful effects of extreme weather conditions.
A successful case study
The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR)
The ESCR Project seeks to address the threats caused by rising sea levels and climate change in the city of New York. It seeks to reduce flood risk to property, landscapes, businesses, and critical infrastructure while also improving waterfront open spaces and access. The ESCR project encompasses several components, such as elevated park areas, floodwalls, floodgates, and infrastructure enhancements. These elements will be seamlessly incorporated into the city's urban landscape, improving waterfront accessibility and offering enduring flood protection.
The ESCR project has been developed to meet rigorous protective criteria, factoring in the extreme but unlikely sea level rise estimates anticipated for the 2050s. These standards align with projections that climate scientists deem probable by the year 2100. Designed for a 100-year lifespan, the flood protection structures within this project will stand between 8 to 9 feet above the current ground level.[11]
Balancing town planning and Biodiversity Conservation
?Biodiversity plays a pivotal role in mitigating climate change through multiple mechanisms. A key method is carbon storage. Forests, acting as significant carbon sinks, absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing it in the biomass of trees, plants, and soil. Forests with a high diversity of plant species are particularly efficient at sequestering carbon due to their multi-layered biomass.
Ecosystem resilience and adaptability are bolstered by biodiversity. Biodiverse ecosystems provide critical services such as soil formation, nutrient cycling, and pollination, which are vital for agriculture and food security, especially under changing climatic conditions. Genetic diversity within species enables adaptation to shifting environmental conditions, allowing plants and animals with a broad genetic base to evolve and survive under various climate scenarios.
Biodiversity conservation can be fostered through the establishment and expansion of protected areas, such as national parks, wildlife reserves, and marine sanctuaries. These protected areas need to be managed efficiently and funded properly to deter illegal activities like poaching and logging.
Sustainable land and water use practices are equally important. Promoting sustainable agriculture through techniques like crop rotation, agroforestry, and organic farming helps reduce environmental impact.
Legislation and policy play a fundamental role in conservation efforts. Enacting and enforcing laws to protect endangered species and habitats is essential. Providing financial incentives, such as tax breaks and grants, can encourage sustainable practices and conservation efforts. By integrating these strategies, we can work towards conserving biodiversity and ensuring the health and resilience of ecosystems for future generations.
Conclusion
Town planning stands as a vital strategy in combating climate change. When sustainable practices and innovative design are inculcated into construction and town planning, urban planners can dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions, boost energy efficiency, and cultivate resilient communities. The integration of green spaces, the enhancement of public transportation, and the adoption of renewable energy solutions not only lessen environmental impact but also elevate residents' quality of life. Moreover, adaptive planning that anticipates future climate conditions can equip towns and cities to better face the inevitable challenges of a warming world. As we address the urgent realities of climate change, intelligent and progressive town planning will be essential in creating a sustainable and habitable future for everyone.
[1] UN Habitat, Cities and Climate Change at COP27, accessed on 24 October, 2024, https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/2022/11/un-habitat_at_cop27.pdf
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[3] A.G.?Olabi, Tabbi?Wilberforce,?Khaled?Obaideen,?Enas Taha?Sayed,?Nabila?Shehata,?Abdul Hai?Alami,?Mohammad Ali?Abdelkareem, February 2023, Micromobility: Progress, benefits, challenges, policy and regulations, energy sources and storage, and its role in achieving sustainable development goals, ScienceDirect, accessed on 10 October 2024, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666202723000125
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[6] Simon Elias?Bibri,?John?Krogstie,?Mattias?K?rrholm, 4 November 2020, Compact city planning and development: Emerging practices and strategies for achieving the goals of sustainability, ScienceDirect, accessed on 28 October 2024, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266616592030017X
[7] European Union, Green Infrastructure, accessed on 28 October 2024, https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/green-infrastructure_en
[8] Environmental Protection Agency, Using Green Roofs to Reduce Heat Islands, accessed on 28 October 2024, https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-green-roofs-reduce-heat-islands
[9] Benjamin D.?Leibowicz, 16 July 2020, Urban land use and transportation planning for climate change mitigation: A theoretical framework, ScienceDirect, accessed on 28 October 2024,
[10] E.?Jamei,?D.R.?Ossen,?M.?Seyedmahmoudian,?M.?Sandanayake,?A.?Stojcevski,?B.?Horan, December 2020, Urban design parameters for heat mitigation in tropics, ScienceDirect, accessed on 28 October 2020, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S136403212030650X
[11] The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, accessed on 20 June 2024 https://www.nyc.gov/site/escr/about/resiliency-and-flood-protection.page