Context

Towards the adaptation of urban areas to climate change derived hazards

Climate change impacts in urban living

Climate change is happening and projected to continue. Our cities are constantly facing different impacts derived from climate change such as floods, heatwaves and storm surges among others, which not only cause significant economic and human losses but also pose challenges to urban living. Damage to property and infrastructure and to human health imposes heavy costs on society and the economy. Between 1980 and 2011 floods affected more than 5.5 million people and caused direct economic losses of more than €90 billion. Sectors that rely strongly on certain temperatures and precipitation levels such as agriculture, forestry, energy and tourism are particularly affected.

Badalona, ​​climate change adaptation roadmap

Badalona, a Mediterranean city with more than 217.000 inhabitants, located in the eastern coast of Catalonia (Spain) has been selected as the pilot site for LIFE BAETULO project (Baetulo is the latin name of the roman founded city of Badalona) in order to give continuity to the climate change adaptation pathway initiated with the previous H2020 BINGO project.

Data gathering (data sources)

Current system status

  • Water level in sewer system
  • Water flows in the streets
  • Bathing water quality
  • Air pollution
  • Sea level

Current weather
Temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind speed and direction, snow accumulation

Wheather forecast

  • Temperature (6 hours-8 days)
  • Rainfall (2 hours-3 days)
  • Wind speed (6 hours-10 days)
  • Snow accumulation (6 hours-10 days)
  • Sea level (1-2 days)
  • Air pollution (1-3 days)
  • Fire hazard (1 day)

Risk assessment (hazard and risk evaluation)

  • Risk levels and alert tresholds
  • Automatic hazard and risk maps

Preparedness and response

Emergency protocols for: heat waves, wind storms, air pollution, urban floods, CSOs, storm surges, cold waves, snowfalls and forest fires

Communication and dissemination

Warning levels based on trigger values

Vulnerable areas and elements to climate hazards (flood-prone streets, public facilities at risk, most vulnerable districts, etc.)

To local authorities: valuable information to support decision making processes, including complete emergency protocols of preventive and reactive actions, department in charge of the execution and action status.

To citizens: warnings, recommendations and relevant information to decrease exposure to climate hazards

Authorities and public at risk

Badalona City Council and all the action units involved in civil protection, public health, environment, local police, firefighters, etc.

Citizens (through app and other public communication channels)