a climate change adaptation plan

Climatological analysis and vulnerability of the geographic areas concerned

The adaptation plan must be developed starting from information directly pertinent to the geographic area being studied, which must be gathered using solid scientific criteria. This step provides information about the analysis that must be done to quantify the severity of climate change-related events, and the risks being faced by the relevant geographic area and its local population, based on the vulnerability thereof.

The collection and processing of this information is a key starting point. The following ideas can serve to guide this process:

1. Identification of human resources in addition to internal and external technical skills
2. Identification and involvement of stakeholders in the geographic area concerned
3. Identification of the main types of information to be collected, in order to understand the morphological structure and human settlement pattern at the local level:
   • Demographic and socio-economic data (e.g., census data)
   • Land use maps, infrastructure, green areas, public health facilities
   • Other local information
4. Monitoring/modeling of extreme events
   • Heat island
   • Flooding from heavy rains
   Here are the guidelines for calculating heat islands and heavy rains.
5. Quantifying risk and vulnerability levels
6. Identification of high-risk urban sectors (Hotspots of Criticality)

Data distribution/accessibility

The distribution of data is a key step in providing local authorities with the knowledge tools necessary for the analysis of the relevant geographic area (in addition to the data that the appropriate authorities already have).

This operation must be carried out clearly and appropriately, by using standardized tools that are easy to manage for local authorities.

In this step, the use of readable data and open-source platforms is crucial. Ideally, the tools used will be easily-available analysis and query tools which can be used from any device.

These measures ensure the maximum distribution of the information, even to populations that do not have specialized technical skills in the use of specific software.

In particular, various services can be used, such as:

1. The ability todownload informative documents that describe not only the data therein but also the ways in which that data is calculated, used, and updated.
   In the case of the LIFE Metro Adapt Project, these documents were published in an ad hoc section of the Metropolitan City’s official website:
   • Guidelines
   • Creating catalogs of adaptation actions/measures
   • Information about funding opportunities
   • Metropolitan Territorial Plan (PTM), including the Metropolitan Green Network (RVM)
2. Creation of services for the distribution of geographic information on the web via the HTTP interface, based on the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standard:
   • Web Map Service (WMS), for map images (in JPEG, PNG, ...)
   • Web Feature Service (WFS), for vector data
   • Web Coverage Service (WCS), for the transmission of (searchable and useable) data, presented as a raster graphic
3. Creation of an interactive platform to make data available to all interested parties in geographic [e.g., maps] and infographic form. This platform provides geographic information through maps that show the distribution of heat islands and areas potentially subject to flooding as well as vulnerability and risk levels, all with relevant infographics.
4. Metro Adapt Platform

Identification of adaptation measures with nature-based solutions

To develop an adaptation plan, it is essential to identify a set of adaptation actions/measures that take into consideration the structure of the relevant geographic area and the climatological analysis thereof (PHASE1).

Among the possible adaptation measures, the Metropolitan City of Milan - thanks to the LIFE Metro Adapt project - has chosen the Nature Based Solutions that have the best multilevel and multi-objective advantages for the geographic area concerned. These solutions help not only to adapt to climate change, but also to improve the local ecosystem, the well-being of individuals living in the area, and the local economy.

The selected Nature Based Solutions must then be organized into a chart with detailed technical descriptions. This phase helps local authorities select and prioritize the most useful adaptation options in order to respond to the issues related to climate change previously identified as most critical.

1. Definition of effective mechanisms of adaptation actions/measures for adaptation management:
   • "Gray" infrastructure-based measures
   • Ecosystem-focused "green" and "blue" measures
   • “Soft”, policy-based measures
2. The creation/use of a chart which indicates how to select the most efficient measures with respect to the problem being addressed:
   • Water management
   • The purposeful use of green spaces/plants in or on buildings
   • Green spaces in urban areas
3. Analysis of best practices for adaptation
   • Example NBS forms:

Using planning tools to implement adaptation measures and strategies

The implementation of adaptation measures must be guided by an adaptation strategy which is to be integrated into local policies. Adaptation should not work outside the existing urban policy framework, but should be integrated into local policies, including those related to water management, transportation, urban planning/buildings, or public health. The revision of planning tools, including programs and regulations, is required.

1. Spreading knowledge to and sharing information with the relevant offices
2. Exploration and collection of ongoing adaptation activities and examples of best practices in the geographic area being evaluated.
3. The design of an effective local adaptation strategy (starting from instructions given at the local level: in the case of the Metropolitan City of Milan, the Metropolitan Territorial Plan was selected
4. Integrating adaptation into urban policies and planning in order to determine WHERE and HOW to implement adaptation actions/measures as well as WHICH measures to implement
   Guidelines for the development of nature-based solutions (NBS)

Implementing these actions locally

Once all the Nature Based Solutions measures have been prioritized into a timeline of implementation, collaboration with stakeholders and local communities involved in the decision-making process will be organized to maximize the potential implementation of integration, management, and maintenance. In this phase it is essential to establish an effective way of distributing resources, and to quantify the (co-)benefits.

1. Prioritize the adaptation actions/measures to be carried out over time (timeline), with respect to critical issues (hotspots)
   • The priority level of each of these actions (i.e., the optimal order of implementation over time) will be determined by the results of phase 1 "Climatological analysis and vulnerability of the relevant geographic areas".
   • In particular, starting from quantifying the levels of vulnerability and risk (points 1.5, and 1.6): maps that classify the risk based on the level of criticality (i.e., low, medium, high) will be created.
2. Tools for implementation
   1. Strategies and plans
   2. Cognitive tools
   3. Regulations and technical guidelines
   4. Public/private agreements
   5. Designing adaptation measures with the involvement of stakeholders and local communities
      • Citizen and stakeholder involvement
      • Co-planning of the measures to be implemented: listening to the requests of local communities and involving them, along with stakeholders, in the planning process
      • Co-management and Co-maintenance of measures implemented
      • Co-monitoring
      • Replicating successful strategies
3. Defining a timeline and allocating resources
4. Evaluating all co-benefits:

   • Environmental

     • Reduced heat island effect
     • Overall comfort of outdoor spaces
     • Air quality
     • Overall quality of urban spaces/li>

   • Social

     • Health and wellness
     • Safety
     • Sense of community
     • Participation
     • Active mobility
     • Awareness

   • Economic

     • Energy consumption
     • Resource management
     • Impact on public transit/li>
     • Risk faced by plants and machinery/systems
     • Impact on productivity
5. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis (taking into account the expected co-benefits) of the adaptation measures to be implemented
6. Search for financial instruments

Monitoring and evaluation of results

This phase is fundamental for the development of an effective monitoring framework, which should be based on specific monitoring and evaluation indicators to measure the solutions implemented. Monitoring ensures that the adaptation process is effective and sustainable over time. To this end, a well thought out and periodic evaluation of the progress over time is important in order to verify the consistency the actions/measures with respect to the objectives established in the strategy. The implementation of a monitoring plan is also useful to re-calibrate and, if necessary, modify, add, or eliminate certain measures to avoid side effects, ineffectiveness, or reduced co-benefits.

1. Designing a monitoring and evaluation approach based on:
   • Criticality - heat islands and flooding from intense rains
   • Scale: territorial/local;
   • Time intervals - short term (1-2 years), long term (5-10 years).
2. Defining the indicators
3. Applying the ex-ante and ex-post monitoring process and impact assessment
4. Mapping the Nature Based Solutions implemented in the area of interest
5. The use of the results of this monitoring process to re-calibrate/improve the adaptation process, starting with a new phase of "Climatological analysis and vulnerability of the relevant geographic areas" (Step 1), which will be based on the results obtained.

Monitoring platform