Nature-based approaches to managing climate change impacts in cities

Sarah E. Hobbie, Nancy B. Grimm

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

234 Scopus citations

Abstract

Managing and adapting to climate change in urban areas will become increasingly important as urban populations grow, especially because unique features of cities amplify climate change impacts. High impervious cover exacerbates impacts of climate warming through urban heat island effects and of heavy rainfall by magnifying runoff and flooding. Concentration of human settlements along rivers and coastal zones increases exposure of people and infrastructure to climate change hazards, often disproportionately affecting those who are least prepared. Nature-based strategies (NBS), which use living organisms, soils and sediments, and/or landscape features to reduce climate change hazards, hold promise as being more flexible, multi-functional and adaptable to an uncertain and non-stationary climate future than traditional approaches. Nevertheless, future research should address the effectiveness of NBS for reducing climate change impacts and whether they can be implemented at scales appropriate to climate change hazards and impacts. Further, there is a need for accurate and comprehensive cost-benefit analyses that consider disservices and co-benefits, relative to grey alternatives, and how costs and benefits are distributed across different communities. NBS are most likely to be effective and fair when they match the scale of the challenge, are implemented with input from diverse voices and are appropriate to specific social, cultural, ecological and technological contexts. This article is part of the theme issue 'Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions'.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number20190124
JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Volume375
Issue number1794
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 16 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society.

Keywords

  • Cities
  • Climate change adaptation
  • Green infrastructure
  • Nature-based strategies
  • Urban ecosystems

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Journal Article

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