Urban Planning in a Climate Crisis

Innovative Urban Planning Solutions for Climate Change

Despite the size of the task, urban planners are rising to challenge with innovative urban greening and green infrastructure solutions. Here are some excellent examples of resiliant urban designs already helping cities adapt to the changing environment.

• Stormwater Parks: Parks like Enghaveparken in Denmark  handle heavy rainfall by incorporating retention basins that store excess rainwater much like a blue roof system. These spaces also double as exciting recreational areas.
• Green Roofs and Walls: Already a common feature in many parts of the world, these attractive installations help reduce urban heat island effects, improve air quality, and help manage stormwater runoff. They also provide insulation, which is beneficial during extreme temperature fluctuations, and are a source of much needed urban green space biodiversity.

Cities like Tokyo and Copenhagen have introduced green roof programs to combat air pollution and reduce urban heat islands. Bosco Verticale in Milan, Italy, is a stunning example of green walls integrated into residential towers, enhancing biodiversity and air quality.

• Elevated Infrastructure: In flood-prone areas, buildings and critical infrastructure are elevated to minimize damage during floods. This approach is common in coastal cities and has been the norm in areas used to flooding for some time.

The High Line in New York City is a prime example of repurposed elevated infrastructure. Originally an abandoned railway track, it has been transformed into an elevated park, weaving a striking green band through the urban fabric. Similarly, Seoullo 7017 in Seoul, South Korea, is a former highway turned into a pedestrian-friendly elevated park in a similar manner.

Whilst neither of these projects were designed with flood mitigation in mind, they demonstrate how existing urban infrastructure can be repurposed to address future climate challenges.

• Passive Design Concepts: Buildings designed to maximize natural ventilation, lighting, and heating, reducing reliance on energy-intensive systems.

The BedZED eco-village in London, UK, is a great example of passive design. The zero-carbon community, constructed from recycled and eco-friendly local materials, uses orientation, insulation, and natural ventilation to minimize energy consumption and has been an inspiration for low-carbon, environmentally-friendly housing developments around the world

Another example is the Bullitt Center in Seattle, USA, which incorporates passive solar design and natural cooling systems amongst many other award winning features, and is described as the greenest commercial building in the world.

• Compact Urban Forms: The use of narrow streets and shaded corridors can reduce heat stress during scorching summers. Whilst this might seem counter intuitive due to the potential heat island effect of dense urban areas, by integrating green infrastructure such as urban forests, green roofs, and shaded corridors, compact urban forms can mitigate any potential heat buildup. Amsterdam and Copenhagen are known for their compact city models, which prioritize mixed-use developments and sustainable transport systems. Portland, Oregon, has implemented urban growth boundaries to prevent sprawl and promotes compact urban development.

To maximize the benefit of urban form use, urban planners often combine compact urban forms with sustainable cooling strategies, such as reflective building materials, increased vegetation, and natural ventilation. This balanced approach can help reduce urban heat island effects while maintaining the advantages of compact urban planning.

These are just some examples of how urban planning can be both functional and sustainable.

To find out how the Urban Gereening Company can assist you with your green urban infrastructure and project planning Contact us