CHARACTERISTICS AND FORMS OF THE URBAN CLIMATE
2.11.3 Adaption to Climate Change

Climate change is in progress and cannot be completely prevented. This makes it necessary to adapt to its inevitable effects. Numerous steps have been taken for some years: The German government adopted a German Adaptation Strategy (Federal Environment Ministry, 2009) as well as an Adaptation Action Plan (Federal Environment Ministry, 2011). Many cities have also established their own concepts, like Berlin 's Senate Department for Urban Development (2011) or the City of Stuttgart (2012).

Climate change implications and adaptation needs can be felt in a number of sectors, like health, hydrologic balance, water management, traffic, tourism, nature conservation and biodiversity, as well as building and regional and urban planning. An urban planning challenge could be, for example, to create a system of ventilation openings for fresh air streaming as far as possible from the hinterland into the centre. Another possibility could be the increase of the percentage of urban green spaces (LOZAN J. L. et al., 1998, City of Stuttgart, 2010).

For further details, please see especially Chapter 3 „ Energy-conscious planning and zoning“ and Chapter 6 „ Recommendations for planning“.