Building Climate Resilience: Lessons from LIFE CRITICAL’s Blue-Green Infrastructure Approach
As cities are confronted with the escalating impacts of climate change, strategic climate adaptation has become more crucial than ever. The LIFE CRITICAL project emphasises the importance of blue-green infrastructure—nature-based solutions that harmonise water and greenery—to build resilience in urban areas. By integrating this approach, cities can address vulnerabilities while enhancing quality of life.
In Dordrecht, Netherlands, LIFE CRITICAL has been implementing this approach to address the city’s specific climate challenges, such as managing heavy rainfall and preventing urban flooding. By working closely with local stakeholders, the project has not only developed tailored solutions but also distilled key success factors to help other cities replicate and scale these efforts. With a long history of climate adaptation, Dordrecht showcases how blue-green infrastructure can transform urban environments when co-created with communities.
We’ve compiled these lessons into two resources – a case study on the work in Dordrecht and a guidebook to replication. These recently published reports highlight the following best practices for cities aiming to implement effective climate adaptation strategies:
Engage stakeholders to understand local context
Begin any climate initiative by first understanding the specific local climate issues and engaging with key stakeholders, such as Water Boards, safety regions, and the provincial government, to gain a comprehensive overview of the challenges. Additionally, consult with citizens to ensure their needs are integrated into the plans.Forecast future scenarios
Assess the city’s resilience to extreme weather events with tools like stress tests and historical data. Be realistic about potential severity to properly evaluate vulnerabilities and forecast future scenarios both in the specific location and in the city as a whole.Align priorities and integrate with neighbourhood projects
Blend climate adaptation measures into ongoing programmes and projects to ensure that climate considerations are mainstreamed into broader urban planning goals and to avoid isolated implementations.Promote collaborative efforts at all levels
Integrate climate adaptation into broader strategies by emphasising collaboration across departments and regions. Recognise that certain climate issues may extend beyond local control. Collaborate at the national level to align efforts, especially in cases where substantial investments are required, e.g. for initiatives like heavy rain management.
Curious to read more? For in-depth analysis, check out our case study on Dordrecht, and for practical steps, explore our guidebook!