Climate change-related rising sea level, urban floods and heat waves will cause destruction and take lives in cities. The extent of these impacts will depend on how well and how quickly urban planners implement adaptation measures. The EU-funded RAMSES project has developed methodologies and a handbook to help urban planners estimate damage and adaptation costs, and transform cities.
An EU-funded project is calling for a step-change in how nature-based solutions like green roofs and city lagoons are used for sustainable urbanisation and in tackling climate change. But first, the project's researchers are addressing a yawning knowledge gap on current best practices and impacts.
EU-funded researchers have provided new decision support tools, training systems and online resources to allow decision-makers to assess the resilience of critical infrastructure - such as electricity and telecommunication - when disaster strikes. The project is a milestone in the development of a proposed pan-European analysis centre.
Damage and loss from flash floods, landslides and avalanches have increased in recent decades, and experts predict a further increase in intensity, frequency and impact. The EU-funded CHANGES project has developed modelling tools that can help governments to at least ensure such events are less catastrophic. Some of the tools are already being used.
New building concepts that take into account catastrophic events such as earthquakes have the potential to save thousands of lives. EU-funded researchers have pioneered new methods and materials for constructing earthquake-fire resistant buildings that are lightweight, energy efficient and cost-effective. The project's results are currently being commercialised.
