Urban Green Spaces: Potentials and Constraints for Urban Adaptation to Climate Change

Urban development has to meet the challenge of establishing adaptation strategies in response to climate change. In view of its potential to regulate urban climates, green infrastructure will assume a critical role in these strategies. In addition to their positive microclimatic effects, as a source of cooling in dense, hot cities urban green spaces can contribute to mitigation. They can operate as carbon sinks or can reduce energy consumption for air conditioning by providing shade by urban trees or roof-top greenery. Thus, urban green spaces should be incorporated as a significant component into both adaptation and mitigation strategies. This paper focuses on the potentials and constraints of various types and structures of urban green spaces and vegetation in influencing climatic conditions in urban areas. It examines the ability of urban green spaces to counter the urban heat island effect and other impacts of climate change. The scientific findings discussed are based on urban vegetation analysis and climate modelling as well as analysis of planning approaches and instruments in German cities. They will be analysed in the context of the future relevance of greens spaces, and within the framework of current urban planning and development mechanisms.