Integral approach for climate change adaptation using instruments of open space design

Abstract

Adaptation to climate change is a challenge that all countries and cities are facing. Open space is an important action area in local adaptation policies, due to vulnerability and potential response to various climate-related problems. Various practical, fragmented open space design approaches were recently introduced in different areas of climate sensitive action, but theoretical basis for adapting cities to climate change is still missing. Starting with premise that fragmented understanding of problems generates fragmented solutions we argue that an integral approach is necessary for open space design to be a useful instrument for adapting cities to climate change. We evaluate the Integral urbanism theory in relation to the complex role that open space is supposed to have in adapting cities to climate change. Qualities of hybridity, connectivity, porosity, authenticity and vulnerability of urban open space are analyzed in three cases in relation to the three strategic areas of climate change adaptation action: flood, overheating and droughts & water management. Results imply that adaptation to climate change using instruments of open space design requires decision makers' mindset shift - from fragmentary and problem-solving way of thinking, towards an integral and proactive one.

Prilagođavanje klimatskim promenama izazov je sa kojim se suočavaju sve zemlje i gradovi. Otvoreni prostori su važna oblast delovanja u lokalnim politikama prilagođavanja, zbog mogućih odgovora na različite probleme vezane za klimatske promene. Nedavno su uvedeni praktični, fragmentarni pristupi dizajnu otvorenih prostora u različitim oblastima osetljivim na klimatske promene, ali nedostaje teorijska osnova u prilagođavanju gradova klimatskim promenama. Polazeći od premise da fragmentarno razumevanje problema stvara fragmentarna rešenja tvrdimo da je neophodan integralni pristup kako bi dizajn otvorenih prostora bio koristan instrument prilagođavanja gradova klimatskim promenama. Proveravamo teoriju Integralnog urbanizma u odnosu na složenu ulogu koju bi otvoreni prostori trebalo da imaju u prilagođavanju gradova klimatskim promenama. Kvaliteti hibridnosti, povezivanja, poroznosti, autentičnosti i osetljivosti dizajna urbanih otvorenih prostora analizirani su u tri slučaja u odnosu na strateška područja delovanja i prilagođavanja klimatskim promenama: poplavama, pregrevanju i sušama i upravljanju vodama. Rezultati ukazuju da prilagođavanje klimatskim promenama upotrebom instrumenata dizajna otvorenih prostora zahteva promenu svesti donosioca odluka - od fragmentarnog načina razmišljanja orijentisanog na rešavanje problema, ka proaktivnom i integralnom pristupu.