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Climate proofing Australian urban planning: Working towards successful adaptation

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 13:52 authored by Lyth, A
The global consensus within the scientific community is that some degree of climate change is inevitable (Houghton 2004) and that there is likely to be environmental, ecological, social and economic impacts at all levels (McCarthy 2001). There is also a growing global appreciation in policy-making circles at all scales of governance about the implications of climate change for people and places. In Europe, extreme weather events (such as the European summer heat wave of 2003) and commitment of national governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to address vulnerabilities to climate change threats, has helped to spur on research and policy activity associated with climate change, of which adaptation science and policy is a part. The definition of adaptation to climate change is taken from that outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (lPCC 2001) and referred to by Adger et al (2005, P78). It is ..."an adjustment in ecological, social and economic systems in response to observed or expected changes in climatic stimuli and their effects and impacts in order to alleviate adverse impacts of change or take advantage of new opportunities. Adaptation can involve both bUilding adaptive capacity thereby increasing the ability of individuals, groups, or organizations to adapt to changes and implement adaptation decisions, i.e., transforming that capacity into action". Adaptations can be classified according to a range of attributes (including temporal and spatial considerations) and according to their relative autonomous or purposeful nature (i.e., anticipatory, reactive or strategic adaptation). Here, Ilook at the purposeful (planned) adaptation situation in Australia, and discuss what I see as immediate challenges for adaptation planning in the urban and regional planning sector specifically.

History

Publication title

Australian Planner

Volume

43

Pagination

12-15

ISSN

0729-3682

Department/School

School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences

Publisher

Routledge

Place of publication

Australia

Rights statement

Copyright 2006 Planning Institute of Australia

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Climate change adaptation measures (excl. ecosystem)

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