Conference Agenda

Implementing blue-green infrastructure (BGI) is a key strategy for cities to adapt to climate change. We use an integrated modelling approach, whereby each model type is designed to predict particular performance indicators. Using the models, we analyse the potential of decoupling measures and BGI implementation to reduce urban flood risk, improve the water balance, and enhance the urban climate for the city of Innsbruck. Our results show that BGI measures, designed in accordance with Austrian regulations, help to reduce flood volumes and flooded area, while improving the water balance, particularly through increased groundwater recharge. However, evapotranspiration only increases slightly, meaning no reduction in the UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index) is achieved at city scale. Although greening can reduce the UTCI by up to 2.5 °C, this effect is very localised. Even with citywide decoupling of 30% of all sealed surfaces using BGI, no effect is achieved, because the change in area from sealed to greened surfaces is too small. Our results also demonstrate the significant impact of shading on reducing heat stress, confirming that the combination of water-managing BGI and shading vegetation is the most effective strategy for enhancing the resilience of urban areas to climate change challenges.