Governance
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Urban Climate Adaptation Planning course at LearnUNI. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Adaptation strategy refers to the process of adjusting to the current or… #
Adaptation strategies can be implemented at various levels, from individual households to national governments. In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, adaptation strategies may involve measures such as green infrastructure, climate-resilient design, and early warning systems for extreme weather events.
Adaptive capacity is the ability of a system, community, or individual to… #
It encompasses the physical, financial, and social resources that enable adaptation, as well as the institutional and governance frameworks that support it. Adaptive capacity can be enhanced through measures such as capacity building, training, and awareness raising.
Adaptive management is an approach to managing complex systems that empha… #
In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, adaptive management involves monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of adaptation measures, and adjusting them as needed in response to changing circumstances and new information.
Anthropogenic climate change refers to the impact of human activities on… #
Anthropogenic climate change is a major driver of climate-related hazards and vulnerabilities in urban areas.
Asset management refers to the process of managing and maintaining infras… #
In urban areas, asset management may involve measures such as condition assessments, priority setting, and investment planning.
Biodiversity conservation refers to the protection and preservation of ec… #
In urban areas, biodiversity conservation may involve measures such as habitat restoration, species protection, and ecosystem management.
Carbon footprint refers to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associa… #
In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, carbon footprint may involve measures such as emission reduction, offsetting, and carbon pricing.
Climate change refers to the long #
term warming of the planet due to an increase in average global temperatures. Climate change has significant implications for urban areas, including increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, sea level rise, and changes in precipitation patterns.
Climate modeling refers to the use of computer models to simulate the beh… #
In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, climate modeling may involve measures such as downscaling, scenario development, and uncertainty analysis.
Climate resilience refers to the ability of a system, community, or indiv… #
Climate resilience can be enhanced through measures such as infrastructure design, emergency planning, and social protection.
Community engagement refers to the process of involving local communities… #
Community engagement may involve measures such as participation, consultation, and awareness raising.
Disaster risk reduction refers to the process of reducing the risk of dis… #
In urban areas, disaster risk reduction may involve measures such as hazard mapping, vulnerability assessments, and emergency planning.
Early warning systems refer to the use of technologies and systems to pro… #
In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, early warning systems may involve measures such as monitoring, forecasting, and communication protocols.
Ecosystem services refer to the benefits that humans derive from function… #
In urban areas, ecosystem services may involve measures such as green infrastructure, wetland restoration, and biodiversity conservation.
Energy efficiency refers to the use of technologies and practices to redu… #
In urban areas, energy efficiency may involve measures such as building insulation, lighting retrofits, and renewable energy systems.
Environmental impact assessment refers to the process of evaluating the p… #
In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, environmental impact assessment may involve measures such as screening, scoping, and mitigation planning.
Flood control refers to the use of structural and non #
structural measures to prevent or mitigate the impacts of flooding. In urban areas, flood control may involve measures such as levees, dams, and wetland restoration.
Governance framework refers to the system of rules, institutions, and pro… #
In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, governance frameworks may involve measures such as policy development, regulation, and institutional reform.
Green infrastructure refers to! The use of natural or semi #
natural systems to manage urban environmental challenges, including stormwater management, air quality improvement, and climate regulation. In urban areas, green infrastructure may involve measures such as park creation, green roofs, and wetland restoration.
Heat island refers to the phenomenon of urban areas experiencing higher t… #
In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, heat island mitigation may involve measures such as green roofs, cool pavements, and urban forestry.
Infrastructure resilience refers to the ability of physical systems, such… #
Infrastructure resilience can be enhanced through measures such as design standards, material selection, and maintenance planning.
Insurance mechanisms refer to the use of financial instruments to manage… #
In urban areas, insurance mechanisms may involve measures such as premium setting, policy development, and claims management.
Land use planning refers to the process of managing the use of land in a… #
In urban areas, land use planning may involve measures such as zoning, density regulation, and transportation planning.
Loss and damage refers to the negative impacts of climate change, includi… #
In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, loss and damage may involve measures such as damage assessment, loss estimation, and compensation planning.
Mitigation strategies refer to the measures taken to reduce greenhouse ga… #
In urban areas, mitigation strategies may involve measures such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and transportation planning.
Natural hazards refer to the potential sources of harm or damage to peopl… #
In urban areas, natural hazards may involve measures such as hazard mapping, vulnerability assessments, and emergency planning.
Participatory governance refers to the involvement of stakeholders, inclu… #
Participatory governance may involve measures such as participation, consultation, and engagement.
Planning instruments refer to the tools and techniques used to guide deci… #
Planning instruments may involve measures such as zoning, land use regulations, and transportation plans.
Policy framework refers to the set of laws, regulations, and policies tha… #
In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, policy frameworks may involve measures such as legislation, regulation, and guidelines.
Public health refers to the health and well #
being of individuals and communities, including the impacts of climate change on human health. In urban areas, public health may involve measures such as heat wave planning, air quality management, and disease surveillance.
Regulatory framework refers to the set of laws, regulations, and policies… #
In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, regulatory frameworks may involve measures such as zoning, building codes, and environmental regulations.
Resilience building refers to the process of enhancing the ability of ind… #
Resilience building may involve measures such as capacity building, training, and awareness raising.
Risk assessment refers to the process of identifying and evaluating the p… #
In urban areas, risk assessment may involve measures such as hazard mapping, vulnerability assessments, and exposure analysis.
Sea level rise refers to the increase in the average level of the ocean d… #
In urban areas, sea level rise may involve measures such as coastal protection, wetland restoration, and retreat planning.
Social vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of individuals and comm… #
In urban areas, social vulnerability may involve measures such as social protection, livelihood support, and community engagement.
Sustainable development refers to the process of meeting the needs of the… #
In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, sustainable development may involve measures such as green infrastructure, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation.
Transportation planning refers to the process of managing the movement of… #
In urban areas, transportation planning may involve measures such as public transportation, non-motorized transportation, and transportation demand management.
Urban forestry refers to the management of trees and other vegetation in… #
In urban areas, urban forestry may involve measures such as tree planting, pruning, and forest management.
Urban planning refers to the process of managing the use of land and reso… #
In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, urban planning may involve measures such as zoning, land use regulations, and transportation planning.
Vulnerability assessment refers to the process of identifying and evaluat… #
In urban areas, vulnerability assessment may involve measures such as social vulnerability, economic vulnerability, and environmental vulnerability.
Water management refers to the process of managing the use of water resou… #
In urban areas, water management may involve measures such as water conservation, wastewater treatment, and flood control.
Wetland restoration refers to the process of restoring degraded or damage… #
In urban areas, wetland restoration may involve measures such as habitat restoration, species reintroduction, and ecosystem management.
Zoning regulations refer to the laws and policies that govern the use of… #
In the context of urban climate adaptation planning, zoning regulations may involve measures such as land use planning, density regulation, and building codes.