Nature as a facilitator for urban coastal resilience: A thesis on how to link nature-based thinking and climate resilience in the urban coastal context
Translated title
Nature as a facilitator for urban coastal resilience
Author
Sloth, Kristina Momsen
Term
4. semester
Publication year
2022
Submitted on
2022-06-03
Abstract
Specialet undersøger, hvordan naturbaseret tænkning kan styrke klimaresiliens i kystnære byer i Danmark. Naturbaseret tænkning forstås som at bruge naturen og naturlige processer aktivt i planlægning og klimatilpasning. Studien gennemgår de nyeste naturbaserede løsninger for at vurdere potentialet i en kystnær, urban tilgang. Derudover ser specialet på, hvordan klimaresiliens – altså byers evne til at modstå og tilpasse sig klimaforandringer – bliver forstået og omsat i praksis gennem aktuelle projekter i Assens, Aabenraa, Svendborg og Vejle. På tværs af disse cases analyseres fagfolks opfattelser af barrierer og muligheder ved at bruge naturbaseret klimatilpasning. For at udforske det fulde potentiale udvikles et enkelt planlægningsværktøj: refleksive diskussionskort, der skal udvide samtalen om bynatur og klimaresiliens. Specialet anbefaler, at fremtidige kystnære byprojekter for klimatilpasning både anerkender sti-afhængigheder (hvordan tidligere valg og eksisterende systemer præger, hvad der er muligt) og integrerer klimaresiliens’ centrale principper. Derudover anbefales det at fremme åben dialog og refleksion mellem interessenter om, hvordan biodiversitet kan styrkes gennem naturbaserede løsninger, så kystbyernes miljøer i højere grad også bygges for naturens – ikke kun menneskers – værdier.
This thesis explores how Nature-based Thinking can strengthen climate resilience in Danish coastal cities. Nature-based Thinking is understood as using nature and natural processes to guide planning and climate change adaptation. The study reviews the latest nature-based solutions to assess the potential of an urban, coastal, nature-based approach. It also examines how climate resilience—the capacity to withstand and adapt to climate change—is conceptualized and put into practice by looking at current projects in Assens, Aabenraa, Svendborg, and Vejle. Across these cases, the thesis analyzes practitioners’ views on barriers and opportunities for nature-based adaptation. To probe the broader potential of Nature-based Thinking, the thesis develops a simple planning tool: reflective discussion-cards designed to open up conversations about urban nature and climate resilience. The thesis recommends that future urban coastal adaptation projects both acknowledge path-dependencies (how past decisions and existing systems shape what is possible) and integrate core principles of climate resilience. It also recommends fostering open discussion and reflection among stakeholders on how to enhance biodiversity through nature-based solutions, building coastal urban environments that support nature, not only human-centered (anthropogenic) values.
[This summary has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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