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Left Fig. 3 Final interface hosted as an open source project at the University of Manchester and is available for use in other local authorities by changing the spatial data and associated meta-data – although this requires knowledge of the Google Maps API and JavaScript programming. Further work in the future will investigate how the Tool could be easily updated and edited by non-specialists, so as to keep it up to speed with changing knowledge and the underlying data. Others have raised questions in relation to apparent missing data which was not identified at the time of the UNRA – which shows that not knowing who to ‘talk to’ within your own municipality and partner organisations can leave gaps in the knowledge base. Other issues raised related to the lack of climate modelling capabilities within the Tool – an extremely tricky nut to crack in its own right, and even more so with a web-based tool. Finally, the process of developing the Tool has been valuable in terms of partners building bridges between departments during data collection and bringing together different datasets. A key finding of the project has been the need to break down silos between departments in order to gather evidence of the need to act on adaptation. While the Tool in its current form could only deal with current vulnerability to climate change, it helps to improve awareness among decision-makers of what the issues are within their locality, and acts to stimulate conversations around the resources required for action. Development of the Tool has also highlighted the need for a common approach throughout Europe on identifying and collecting datasets to enable successful spatial planning for adaptation to climate change. This would also have cost benefits – a key consideration in the current financial climate. With the GRaBS project coming to an end, we are investigating the possibilities for further funding to add ‘What if?’ capabilities to the Tool to allow modelling of different climate scenarios over 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-year time horizons. This is a difficult task when dealing with fine grain data at the neighbourhood scale and its relationship with climate modelling outputs. In the meantime, everyone is encouraged to use the Assessment Tool, which is available online at www.ppgis.manchester.ac.uk. ● Richard Kingston is a Lecturer in GIS and Spatial Planning in the School of Environment and Development at the University of Manchester. For the past 15 years he has been researching, developing, testing and implementing web-based planning support systems. He would like to acknowledge the immense and valuable contribution to the GRaBS Tool made by Gina Cavan and Yi Gong at the University of Manchester. Notes 1 Impacts of Europe’s Changing Climate – 2008 Indicator- Based Assessment. European Environment Agency, 2008. www.eea.europa.eu/publications/eea_report_2008_4 2 S.J. Lindley, J.F. Handley, D. McEvoy, E. Peet and N. Theuray: ‘The role of spatial risk assessment in the context of planning for adaptation in UK urban areas’. Built Environment, 2007, Vol. 33 (1), 46-69 3 R. Kingston, S. Carver, A. Evans and I. Turton: ‘Web-based public participation Geographical Information Systems: An aid to local environmental decision-making’. Computers, Environment & Urban Systems, 2000, Vol. 24 (2), 109-25 4 R. Kingston: ‘Public participation in local policy decision-making: the role of web-based mapping’. The Cartographic Journal, 2007, Vol. 44 (2), 138-44 5 National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. Report of Policy Action Team 17: Joining it up Locally. Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, 2000. www.communities.gov.uk/archived/publications/ localgovernment/nationalstrategyneighbourhoodren 6 National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. Report of Policy Action Team 18: Better Information. Cabinet Office. TSO, 2000. www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/ HTMLDocs/downloads/better_information.pdf 7 S.J. Lindley: Review of Climate Change Risk and Adaptation Assessment Tools. Expert Paper for the GRaBS project, 2009 268 Town & Country Planning June 2011 : GRaBS Project – INTERREG IVC; ERDF-funded
a critical role for green and blue infrastructure Lindsay McCulloch and Melanie Robertson look at the multifunctional role and benefits of green and blue infrastructure in our towns and cities as we adapt to climate change Photos courtesy of Southampton City Council Above Southampton city centre – waterfront location and green infrastructure to the fore Cities, or more accurately urban areas, are the places to be. Currently around 90% of the UK population live in urban areas, which compares with 50% globally (in 2008). In the UK, urban areas are generally convenient places in which to live – easy to move around in with much of what we need (shops, schools, leisure opportunities) readily available. But are they as good as they could be, and, with their high levels of sealed surfaces and tendency to soak up heat, will they be able to cope with a changing climate? To maintain a good quality of life, city living will increasingly have to more than cope with climate change. Good-quality infrastructure is the key to Town & Country Planning June 2011 : GRaBS Project – INTERREG IVC; ERDF-funded 269
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