A GIS-BASED DECISION SUPPORT TOOL FOR URBAN CLIMATE RISK ANALYSIS AND EXPLORATION OF ADAPTATION OPTIONS, WITH RESPECT TO URBAN THERMAL ENVIRONMENTS

Changes to UK policy mean that some local authorities (LAs) are now required to demonstrate an adaptive response to current and future climate impacts, in order to manage risks to service delivery, the public, local communities, local infrastructure, businesses and the natural environment, and to make the most of new opportunities (e.g. National Indicator 188). In order for this to be achieved successfully it is essential that the LAs have access to knowledge and data about how climate changes are likely to impact their region, and that these data are communicated effectively to planners, designers and infrastructure owners. A GIS-based decision support tool is being developed to facilitate this process and has been designed specifically to allow the user to explore future heat scenarios and vulnerability to the thermal environment. The tool will synthesise temperature data from heat emission estimates, in situ measurements, remote sensing, the HadRM3 regional climate model and the Climate Research Unit weather generator to provide the user with high spatial resolution visualisations and data associated with the current and future thermal environment in a particular area. Future development of the tool will involve the integration of mesoscale model and building simulation outputs, which will be used to examine adaptation options, such as the integration of green infrastructure. This will enable the user to evaluate urban adaptation strategies related to heat and thermal comfort, according to heat, energy and emissions criteria.