Creating space for climate adaptation through shifting to green mobility

Abstract

Climate change increases the urgency of spatial adaptation to extreme heat, pluvial floods and droughts in urban areas. To accelerate climate adaptation efforts, Dutch government organisations have agreed to work towards a climate adaptive and water resilient country by 2050 in the Delta Plan on Spatial Adaptation (DPSA). The implementation of Blue Green Infrastructures (BGI) in urban areas offers a solution to achieve climate adaptivity and water resilience by restoring the natural water balance, storing and infiltrating rainwater and having a cooling effect on their surroundings. In parallel with the ambition to adapt to the effects of climate change, there is a noticeable shift in transport modes in Dutch urban areas. Municipalities are actively promoting sustainable and healthy means of transport, such as walking and cycling, while reducing car dependency, through steering policies and active urban planning. This research examines the potential for climate adaptation, resulting from the transition to green mobility, in urban areas in the Netherlands. To explore this potential various research methods are applied as part of a desk study and an exploratory multiple case-study, based on six cases at three spatial scales (City, Neighbourhood, and Street scale). The cases provided insight in the spatial relation between the mobility transition and climate adaptation and examined whether this transition provides an opportunity to meet adaptation goals. City scale cases demonstrated the potential to increase green space in different mobility scenarios compared to the current state. This was especially apparent in highly urbanised areas with a strong need for climate adaptation. Multiple design scenarios with different mobility measures, such as parking space removal and driving lane reduction, were analysed to study this spatial relation. Detailed cases at a neighbourhood and street scale showed that reallocated urban area can provide the space needed for BGI (e.g. rain gardens, permeable pavement). In this way, climate adaptation goals related to heat and pluvial flooding can be met. The interview survey with water, mobility and climate adaptation experts from municipalities, revealed different perspectives on the relation between mobility and climate adaptation, and identified several challenges for effective implementation of BGI. This study addresses these challenges and presents several policy and research recommendations to effectively harness the climate adaptation potential arising from the mobility transition.