Adaptation to Climate Change through Spatial Planning in Compact Urban Areas: A Case Study in the City of Thessaloniki

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 271; doi:10.3390/su9020271

Author 

Athena Yiannakou *  and Konstantina-Dimitra Salata

School of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. 

Academic Editors: Constantinos Cartalis and Matheos Santamouris

Received: 24 November 2016 / Revised: 11 January 2017 / Accepted: 7 February 2017 / Published: 15 February 2017

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Heat Island)

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Abstract 

One of the problems urban areas are facing is the coupled effect of climate change and the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This article attempts to demonstrate the potential of spatial planning to reduce the UHI effect and, hence, to contribute to climate change adaptation in compact urban areas. After a brief review of the relevant literature, the article focuses on one case study within the compact urban area of the city of Thessaloniki. The geographical, socio-economic and urban form data of the study area and its subsequent vulnerability to UHI were initially assessed. Based on these features, a local spatial planning strategy is proposed, and the study proceeds to a detailed amendment of the land use plan, within part of the vulnerable zone. This takes into account the existing urban form, the lack of resources and the availability of the spatial planning tools within the Greek spatial planning system. Τhe main purpose of this article is to highlight the fact that, even in urban areas where the potential for intervention seems to be marginal, because of their existing form, the complexities of the local planning system and resource limitations, improvements to the UHI effect and adaptation to climate change can be achieved by better land use planning and urban design. View Full-Text

Keywords: climate change;  urban heat island;  spatial planning;  green infrastructure;  sustainable development;  compact urban area;  Thessaloniki

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