A Systematic Catalogue of Design Solutions for the Regeneration of Urban Environment Contrasting the Climate Change Impact

Abstract

The article illustrates a research for the definition of a catalogue of design solutions for climate change adaptation in the process of urban regeneration, reducing the vulnerability to climate change impacts and increasing the city resilience. Based on the analysis of relevant case studies of architectural and urban projects in the main biogeographical regions of Europe, the paper describes the research methodology applied for the construction of a catalogue of spatial and technological adaptive design models mainly focusing on the category of “nature-based solutions” but also considering “artificial solutions”. In order to assess their effectiveness, different design alternatives are tested in a specific urban contest (a school courtyard in the City of Scandicci–Metropolitan City of Florence) prone to climate hazards of urban heat islands and pluvial flooding, simulating the impact on the more vulnerable user (children between 11 and 14 years old). For an adequate performance evaluation of multi-hazard effectiveness of the different adaptive design solutions, appropriate IT software and procedural models have been applied: ENVI-met microclimatic simulation software for thermal analysis and predictive method for hydraulic assessment. By comparing the results before and after the application, the climate-adaptive performance of alternative design solutions is measured through specific indicators. This approach is coherent to the design process management aiming to a predictive definition of performance evaluation through procedural models and digital instruments in order to properly address the complexity of architectural and urban project. The systematic catalogue of adaptive design solution offers useful tools and methods to designers and decision makers for the construction of climate change adaptation and mitigation plans in order to build a healthy and safe urban environment for citizens and drive an ecological and sustainable transition to green cities.