Speakers
Description
Global mainstream policies on climate change mitigation and adaptation identify local green transition as a key component for achieving global objectives. The success of adaptation strategies depends on the active and continuous involvement of stakeholders, including national, regional, international organizations, private sectors, and civil society (Howarth et al. 2024). These stakeholders, who operate within a territorial context, influence decisions and are influenced by them (Hemmati et al. 2012).
In practice, climate adaptation is not the primary objective of regional planning (Ford et al. 2011). Developing adaptation plans is a complex task both in terms of information processing and the process itself. The consequences of climate change are uncertain, multi-scale, multi-sectoral, and controversial (Howe et al. 2019). Although the adaptation process involves stakeholders with diverse expertise to build robust knowledge frameworks, spatial information plays a role in the strategic design (Wilson 2006).
This research, funded in the GD_CURE Italian National Research Project, contributes methodologically and operationally to the development of a Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, focusing on the Basilicata Region case study. The study contextualizes global climate objectives at the local scale, in alignment with the governance frameworks defined by the Italian National Climate Adaptation Strategy (SNAC). Through a participatory process that enhances territorial governance in a co-design perspective, the research defines tools to support the decision-making process and the operational implementation of adaptation and climate mitigation measures at the regional scale. The workshop applies the Geodesign method, using a structured and iterative process to support decision-making. Geodesign adopts a systems-based approach to analyze inter-systemic interactions across different spatial and temporal scales (Steinitz 2012). This multidisciplinary approach is crucial for overcoming silo-mentality traditionally found between government, industry, academia, and communities (Campagna et al. 2016) (Pettit et al. 2019). Furthermore, the iterative framework of Geodesign provides a flexible tool to address the challenges posed by climate change (Steinitz et al. 2023).
The study presents a preliminary selection and evaluation of actions compatible with the territorial characteristics of Basilicata, referring to the eight systems defined by the IGC Global challenge (Steinitz et al. 2023). These actions were analyzed by identifying climate benefits, performance indicators, implementation cost, and the scale of implementation. Moreover, the importance of defining the budget and allocating resources, promoted by structural funds used to finance projects and interventions in European regions, was emphasized focusing on effective resource allocation criteria (Casas and Scorza 2016).
The goal of the workshop was to provide an open platform to policymakers, public authorities, academics, and territorial professionals, promoting strategic innovations in the green transition of urban and regional areas. This approach facilitated the construction of a shared strategic framework, useful for mapping and consolidating resource allocation toward concrete, targeted actions for climate adaptation and mitigation (Barr 2010). The workshop involved young researchers in climate governance, master's students in environmental engineering, technical representatives from major administrations, professionals in territorial disciplines, and nonprofit organizations active in the regional context. Participants highlighted the usefulness of innovative tools developed, emphasizing the effectiveness of the "learning by doing" approach.
This research highlights how Geodesign, is an useful decision support tool in climate adaptation at the regional level. Integrating spatial analysis, participatory governance, and strategic vision enables the contextualization of global climate objectives at the local scale. Geodesign offers policymakers a robust operational framework for developing resilient and sustainable plans, addressing climate challenges in an integrated and coherent manner. Moreover, the study emphasizes the importance of open platforms and the adoption of local policies, creating a scalable model for other regions aligning their climate actions with international commitments.
Acknowledgment: PRIN PNRR funding “GeoDesign for Climate URban nEutrality (GD-CURE)”, CUP: F53D23010840001.
References
Barr, Rhona, Samuel Fankhauser, and Kirk Hamilton. 2010. “Adaptation Investments: A Resource Allocation Framework.” Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 15
Campagna, Michele, Carl Steinitz, Elisabetta Anna Di Cesare, Chiara Cocco, Hrishikesh Ballal, and Tess Canfield. 2016. “Collaboration in Planning: The Geodesign Approach.” Rozwój Regionalny i Polityka Regionalna 35 (35): 55–72.
Ford, James D., Lea Berrang-Ford, and Jaclyn Paterson. 2011. “A Systematic Review of Observed Climate Change Adaptation in Developed Nations.” Climatic Change 106 (2): 327–36.
Hemmati, Minu, Felix Dodds, Jasmin Enayati, and Jan McHarry. 2012. Multi-Stakeholder Processes for Governance and Sustainability. Routledge.
Howarth, Candice, Jamie Brogan, Sarah Bryant, Brendan Curran, Amelia Duncan, Sam Fankhauser, Andy Gouldson, et al. 2024. “The Importance of Place in Climate Action.” PLOS Climate 3 (6): e0000425.
Howe, Lauren C., Bo MacInnis, Jon A. Krosnick, Ezra M. Markowitz, and Robert Socolow. 2019. “Acknowledging Uncertainty Impacts Public Acceptance of Climate Scientists’ Predictions.” Nature Climate Change 9 (11): 863–67.
Steinitz, Carl, Brian Orland, Tom Fisher, and Michele Campagna. 2023. “Geodesign to Address Global Change.” In Intelligent Environments, 193–242. Elsevier.
Wilson, Elizabeth. 2006. “Adapting to Climate Change at the Local Level: The Spatial Planning Response.” Local Environment 11 (6): 609–25.
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
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