Natural and technological risks; climate change
Regional Initiative Project
GRaBS Green and Blue Space Adaptation for Urban Areas and Eco Towns Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are now at their highest since records began and as a result urban areas are vulnerable to increased temperatures and flooding. Regional spatial planning and urban design can provide solutions to reduce vulnerability and risk. The Green and Blue Space Adaptation for Urban Areas and Eco Towns (GRaBS) project aims to improve the regional decision and policy making process in relation to the planning and development of new and existing urban areas in the context of climate change. ‘Green’ infrastructure including gardens, parks, and green corridors and ‘blue’ infrastructure such as rivers, streams, and sustainable drainage systems, play a vital role in creating climate resilient development. This role is currently not sufficiently recognised and exploited in urban planning. There are 14 partners drawn from eight member states representing a broad spectrum of authorities with differing climate change challenges and with varying degrees of strategic policy and experience. The project facilitates the much-needed exchange of knowledge and experience and the transfer of good practice on climate change adaptation strategies to local and regional authorities. In addition, a user-friendly and easily transferable strategic planning methodology together with a climate change risks and vulnerability assessment tool will be produced through this interregional collaboration. The project will also deliver a database of good practice green and blue space adaptation approaches and Expert Papers for dissemination throughout Europe. By advancing the knowledge and expertise of partner staff, decisions makers, politicians and communities, regional and local municipalities will be able to make a more informed and strategic response to climate change adaptation. In the long term communities will reduce their vulnerability to the environmental, social and economic damage related to climate change impacts including extreme temperature increases and flooding incidents.
Lead partner Town and Country Planning Association (UK)
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Contact person Diane Smith diane.smith@tcpa.org.uk +44 20 7930 8903 www.grabs-eu.org Duration 09/2008-08/2011 Total budget €3,182,929.00 ERDF contribution €2,430,198.75
Istanbul
Partnership • Town and Country Planning Association (UK) • The University of Manchester (UK) • City District of Geuzenveld-Slotermeer (NL) • London Borough of Sutton (UK) • Province of Genoa (IT) • City of Malmö (SE) • Regional Environment Centre for Eastern Europe, Country Office Slovakia (SK) • Municipality of Kalamaria (EL) • Etnambiente (IT) • University of Catania (IT) • Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) (UK) • Southampton City Council (UK) • Klaipeda University Coastal Research and Planning Institute (LT) • Provincial Governement of Styria, Department of Spatial Planning (AT)