Nature-based approaches to managing climate change impacts in cities

• Published in: Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological sciences Vol. 375; no. 1794; p. 20190124
• Main Authors: Hobbie, Sarah E., Grimm, Nancy B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Royal Society 16.03.2020
• Subjects: Cities; Climate Change; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Ecosystem; Floods; Hot Temperature; Review; Cities; cities; nature-based strategies; urban ecosystems; climate change adaptation; green infrastructure
• ISSN: 0962-8436; 1471-2970; 1471-2970
• DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0124

Managing and adapting to climate change in urban areas will become increasingly important as urban populations grow, especially because unique features of cities amplify climate change impacts. High impervious cover exacerbates impacts of climate warming through urban heat island effects and of heavy rainfall by magnifying runoff and flooding. Concentration of human settlements along rivers and coastal zones increases exposure of people and infrastructure to climate change hazards, often disproportionately affecting those who are least prepared. Nature-based strategies (NBS), which use living organisms, soils and sediments, and/or landscape features to reduce climate change hazards, hold promise as being more flexible, multi-functional and adaptable to an uncertain and non-stationary climate future than traditional approaches. Nevertheless, future research should address the effectiveness of NBS for reducing climate change impacts and whether they can be implemented at scales appropriate to climate change hazards and impacts. Further, there is a need for accurate and comprehensive cost–benefit analyses that consider disservices and co-benefits, relative to grey alternatives, and how costs and benefits are distributed across different communities. NBS are most likely to be effective and fair when they match the scale of the challenge, are implemented with input from diverse voices and are appropriate to specific social, cultural, ecological and technological contexts. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions’.