KlimaMORO – Spatial development strategies for climate change (Phase II)
Background and Goals
In eight KlimaMORO "Spatial development strategies for climate change" model projects, regional responses have been developed and tested (see Phase I). In a 2nd phase, promising approaches will be developed further and continued. In addition to work in the model regions, the focus is on the vulnerability analysis strategy components, a set of spatial planning instruments and a regional climate change forum.
Aim of continuation phase: Continuing the work in the model regions will provide the opportunity to:
- Test the resilience of the adaptation strategies previously drawn up,
- Promote the implementation phase,
- Support and develop the practical application of the strengthening of the regional planning instruments developed previously in the model project, and
- Support the transfer of know-how to other regions.
From a national perspective, the vulnerability analysis / climate change susceptibility strategy components, a set of regional planning instruments and intensification of regional cooperation on climate change are the main focus. Supported by national research assistance, the model projects will deliver supplementary contributions and promote analysis of selected issues and projects in the model regions, in order to promote implementation in the regions, to enable approaches drawn up to be developed and additional findings to be obtained.
Main themes of model projects in phase II:
- Western Pomerania: Sea level rises and consequences for settlement and land use development in the coastal fringes; - West Saxony: Water management problems in former mining landscapes;
- Upper Elbe Valley / Eastern Erzgebirge (KLIMAfit): Ongoing development of flood prevention in existing settlements and planning to protect surface soil from water erosion;
- Central and Southern Hessen (klamis): Incorporate settlement climate into regional planning by designating conditional areas for particular climate functions;
- Central Upper Rhine / Northern Black Forest: Incorporation of settlement climate adaptation strategies into local planning;
- Stuttgart region: Preventive flood protection and preventive groundwater protection and water supply;
- Neumarkt in Upper Palatinate: Merging of climate protection and climate adaptation measures based on planning specifications in regional plan and local municipal plans.
Content time
toResearch area/region
Country
- Germany
Region of implementation (all German federal states)
- Baden-Württemberg
- Berlin
- Hesse
Natural spatial classification
- Alp and North Bavarian hills
- Erz Mountains, Thuringian Forest and Bavarian Forest
- Low mountain ranges left and right of Rhine
- North-East German lowland
- South-Eeastern basin and hills
- Central low mountain ranges and Harz
Spatial resolution
Vorpommern, Westsachsen, Oberes Elbtal/Osterzgebirge, Mittlerer Oberrhein/Nordschwarzwald, Region Stuttgart, Landkreis Neumarkt i.d.OPf.
Steps in the process of adaptation to climate change
Step 1: Understand and describe climate change
Approach and results
The German Meteorological Office (DWD, Senior federal authority in the BMVBS) is providing the required climate data for the KlimaMORO projects as a basis for climate effect estimates. Details of the climate scenarios used can be found in the relevant model projects.
Parameter (climate signals)
- River flooding
- Heat waves
- Altered rainfall patterns
- Higher average temperatures
- Sea level rise und storm surges
- Extreme precipitation (incl. hail, snow)
- Storm
- Dry periods
Further Parameters
water balance, wind, cloud cover, humidity
Time horizon
- short term = next year’s / decades
- medium term = to 2050
Step 2a: Identify and assess risks - climate effects and impact
Approach and results
High resolution climate scenarios show that the effects of climate change differ significantly from one region to the next. Some individual regions will be more strongly affected than others by natural hazards, such as extreme floods, drought, urban heat effects, high-wind events, mass movements (including mudslides, rock falls, avalanches), or by the economic consequences of changes in the agriculture, forestry, energy, tourism or transport sectors.
Therefore, expertise on "Systematisation of regional planning climate effect assessment principles - Guidelines for regional climate effect assessment" is embedded in phase II. This academically sound but practical expertise involves targeted use of vulnerability analyses in spatial planning. Guidelines for regional climate effect assessment will be created as the product.
Step 2b: Identify and assess risks - Vulnerability, risks and chances
Approach and results
Comprehensive vulnerability and susceptibility analyses are essential as a basis for assessing climate effects. They are necessary so that:
- Discussions about climate changes and regional impacts can be based on a recognised set of data,
- Pressure to act is created in politics,
- Risk and action areas can be delineated,
- Robust requirements and recommendations for action can be derived, and
- New or existing regional planning designations have a sound technical basis and, above all, have a legally enforceable justification.
The underlying assumptions, the methods used and the results obtained must be communicated to the players involved and to the public in an understandable way, in order to create acceptance for necessary measures and motivation to implement them.
Where binding regional planning targets are to be designated, vulnerability analyses to justify them must be legally sound, i.e. lawful. To achieve this, they must be drawn up clearly and transparently using recognised scientific methods. Otherwise, vulnerability analyses can only be used to define principles or for information, for example to provide information to local communities.
Step 3: Develop and compare measures
Measures and/or strategies
Because of its multi-sectoral and integrative perspective and its wide range of formal and informal instruments, regional planning is potentially an appropriate player for developing and coordinating adaptation strategies and measures in regions.
Time horizon
- 2011–2040 (near future)
- 2021–2050 (near future)
- 2036–2065
- 2051–2080 (far future)
- 2071–2100 (far future)
Step 4: Plan and implement measures
Measures and/or strategies
Regional planning can use its formal instruments for climate adaptation, i.e. regional plans with targets (priority areas) that are binding for local planning, and principles (conditional areas) that have to be taken into account in any consideration.
The use of formal regional planning instruments requires intensive preparation and must be accompanied by the entire range of informal instruments. However, regional planning may not limit itself to informal governance alone; the informal instruments must be followed by formal designations to ensure that the regional planning structure is effective.
Participants
Funding / Financing
Ministry of Transport, Construction and Urban Development (BMVBS) and Federal Institute of Construction, Urban and Spatial Research (BBSR)
Project management
Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) within the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR), Division I 5: Transport and Environment
Cooperation/Partners
National research assistance (FoA) like in phase I:
- Raum & Energie, Institut für Planung, Kommunikation und Prozessmanagement GmbH;
- Institut für Stadtbauwesen und Stadtverkehr (ISB) of RWTH Aachen University;
The FoA is the service interface between the model projects and the contracting body.
Contact
Raum & Energie
Institut für Planung, Kommunikation und Prozessmanagement GmbH
Hafenstraße 39
22880 Wedel
