Rescaling climate-induced migration: Exploring pathways for an uncertain future

This thesis explores alternative spatial- and governance responses to deal with climate-induced migration as a result of slow-onset climate change in the southern California border region with Mexico. These responses will be specifically aimed to mitigate and adapt to a future that may see displacement as a result of changing environmental...

Implications of climate change for railway infrastructure

Weather phenomena can result in severe impacts on railway infrastructure. In future, projected changes to the frequency and/or intensity of extreme weather events could change weather–infrastructure risk profiles. Infrastructure owners and operators need to manage current weather impacts and put in place adequate plans to anticipate and adapt...

Spatial challenges in contemporary African New Towns and potentials for alternative planning strategies

New Towns in development across Africa are overwhelmingly designed according to twentieth-century planning models ranging from functionalist Chinese grids to American gated communities. Contemporary African New Towns based on these models are often unable to adapt to stimuli and, as a result, exacerbate both spatial and ecological challenges....

Coping with the impacts of Urban Heat Islands A literature based study on understanding urban heat vulnerability and the need for resilience in cities in a global climate change context

The urban heat island (UHI) is a phenomenon whereby temperature levels in urban areas are higher than in surrounding rural settings. Urban heat islands are a matter of increasing concern, since they can affect communities by exacerbating air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions (due to the greater use of air conditioning) and the occurrence of...

Floating Community Manila: The design of a floating module for a resilient community in the flood-risk context of Manila, Philippines.

Urban populations in coastal contexts suffer increasingly from both environmental and spatial risks. Major flooding events, storms, fires, landslides and earthquakes coupled with the unorganized urban fabric located at the locations most at-risk to these hazards render millions of people extremely vulnerable. The externalities in terms of...

To adapt or not to adapt: A study into the adaptability of the urban environment

The climate and the urban systems are changing, leading to new challenges and opportunities in the urban environment. Adaptation to these challenges is needed, using the vulnerability assessment areas that are vulnerable can be identified. Vulnerability is the likelihood a system experiences harm and is the combination of both risks and...

A National Guideline for Climate Adaptation Planning: the Climate Stress Test for Urban Areas

To make urban environments in the Netherlands climate-proof and water-robust the Delta Programme launched guidelines and tools for climate adaptation planning, including a climate stress test. This test builds on new principles and concepts, making spatial adaptation a key element of building climate resilience. The test starts with a quick-scan...

The Hague 2040+. An Integrated Approach Towards Heat Proof Cities

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face during this century; heatwaves, periods of extreme drought, and heavy rainfall get more common. Increasing temperatures have massive impact on cities. High amounts of paved- and built-up surfaces store heat during the day, making cities warmer than their rural environment. In order to keep...