Policy makers
Spatial planners
Business people

Regional planning level

The most important planning aspects of climate change mitigation and adaptation on the regional level are summarised in the table below. For each aspect it is indicated whether it deals with mitigation (M) or adaptation (A) of climate change. The most crucial planning aspects on the given level are underlined. On the right there are examples (in English) from regional level planning cases collected in the BalticClimate project.

REGIONAL PLANNING LEVEL

Local present and future climate

Identifying possibilities and challenges in present and future climate (A)
Minimising the risks of flood, landslides, erosion (A)

Compact and diverse structure

Analysing the location of the area (M, A)
Planning the infrastructure so that it also works in terms of future climate (A)
Using efficiently the existing infrastructure (M)
Using efficiently the existing area (M)
Identifying locations for supplemental building (M)
Building outside the existing structure should be questioned and considered carefully (M)
Identifying opportunities for new technologies and architectural innovations (M, A)
Mixing the functions (M)
Giving priority to services and work places accessible by public transport (M)

Transport

Optimising the size and dimensions of the infrastructure (M)
Maximising the use of sustainable and integrated public transport (M)
Minimising the need to travel (M)
Developing thematic plans for non-motorised traffic (M)
Developing mobility plans (M)

Energy

Identifying and promoting sustainable and renewable energy sources (M)
Identifying areas suitable for production of renewable energy (M)
Promoting energy efficiency (M)
Creating solutions for decentralised renewable energy production (M)
Planning efficient waste and wastewater treatment (M)
Identifying local energy needs within the present and future climate (M, A)
Planning energy production and consumption (M)
Creating flexible solutions in buildings and areas (M, A)
Identifying and promoting local production (M)
Planning efficient gray- and runoff water treatment (M)

Comfortable environment

Establishing urban ecosystem networks (M, A)
Securing and expanding green areas and parks (M, A)

Participation

Participation of residents (M, A)
Participation of landowners and developers (M, A)
Participation of politicians (M, A)
Participation of climatologists and other scientists (M, A)
Participation of the media (M, A)

Strategic planning

Directing new settlement development (M, A)
Identifying strategic needs for the region – demographical, economical, environmental etc. aspects (M, A)
Identifying necessary changes/modifications in order to develop a more compact/functional area (M, A)
Development of the economy (M, A)
Development of the transport network – roads, rail, etc. (M, A)

Planning costs

Impact Assessment (M, A)
Costs related to dispersed structure, lack of strategic guidance (M, A)
Costs related to overestimated structure, services, networks (M, A)
Costs related to underestimated structure, e.g roads in poor condition compared to the use (M, A)
Costs related to long distances to services (M, A)

See also:

» General planning level
» Detailed planning level