Syftet med detta examensarbete var att undersöka om regnbäddar utnyttjas till sin fulla kapacitet avseende dess multifunktionalitet i relation till miljönytta och klimatförändringar. Mer konkret ämnade studien att ta reda på om regnbäddar kan användas till att både ta hand om ökade regnmängder och skapa en magasinering av vatten för torrperioder. Vidare syftade studien till att förstå vilka möjligheter, hinder och utmaningar det finns vid implementering av regnbäddar utifrån klimatanpassningssynpunkt eftersom klimatförändringarna leder till både stora vattenmängder och extrema torrperioder. Strategiskt urval och snöbollsurval användes som urvalsmetod i enlighet med Bryman (2018) för att välja ut relevanta informanter inför utförandet av semistrukturerade intervjuer. Kodning av empirin visade att där fanns en stor variation av möjligheter, hinder och utmaningar.  Resultatet visade att både möjligheter, hinder och utmaningar förekommer i de två kustkommunerna relaterade till implementeringen av regnbäddar med kombinerade användningsområde. Resultatet påvisade att regnbäddar ofta implementeras för att uppfylla en fördröjande funktion. Dessutom framkom det att regnbäddar erhåller multifunktionalitet utifrån dess utformning, konstruktion och placering. Slutsatsen är att regnbäddar inte implementeras i de två undersökta kustkommunerna i syfte att samtidigt omhänderta stora vattenmängder vid skyfall, öka infiltrationen i områden med hårdgjord mark, rena regnvatten och magasinera vatten för användning vid torrperioder för bevattning av grönstruktur. Alltså kombineras inte olika användningsområden i regnbäddar. Det främsta syftet som regnbäddar implementeras för är fördröjning av vatten och därmed köpa sig tid så att ledningsnätet blir mindre belastat. / This bachelor thesis examined if rain gardens are used to their full capacity regarding their multifunctionality in relation to environmental benefits and climate change. More specifically, the study aimed to examine if rain gardens can be used to take care of increased rainfall and create a self-storage of water for dry periods. Furthermore, the study aimed to understand which opportunities, barriers and challenges there are implementing rain gardens from a climate adaptation point of view. Since climate change leads to both large amounts of water and extremely dry periods. Strategic sampling and snowball sampling has been used as sampling methods in accordance with Bryman (2018) to select relevant informants for the performance of semi structured interviews. Coding of the empirical data showed that there are a variety of opportunities, barriers and challenges. The result showed that there are both opportunities, barriers and challenges when it comes to implementation of rain gardens with combined functions in the two coastal municipalities.  The result also showed that rain gardens often are implemented with the purpose of fulfilling a delaying function. In addition, it emerged that rain gardens acquire multifunctionality based on how they are designed and their placement. The study’s conclusion is that rain gardens in the two coastal municipalities are not implemented in purpose to dispose large amounts of water during heavy rainfall, increase infiltration in areas with hard soil, purify rainwater and store water for usage during dry periods for irrigation of green structure. Therefore, different functions are not combined in rain gardens. The primary purpose for which rain gardens are implemented is to delay water and gain more time so that the pipeline system is less affected.

Extreme weather events can result in natural disasters, and climate change can cause these weather events to occur more often and with more intensity. Because of social and physical vulnerabilities, climate change and extreme weather often affect coastal communities. As climate change continues to be a factor for many coastal communities, and environmental hazards and vulnerability continue to increase, the need for adaptation may become a reality for many communities. However, very few studies have been done on the effect climate change and mitigation measures implemented in response to climate change have on a community’s adaptive capacity. This single instrumental case study will examine the effects of climate change and policy responses to climate change on the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe located in Pointe aux Chenes, Louisiana, in order to discover how climate change affects the adaptive capacity of an indigenous population intricately tied to the surrounding ecosystem. This study will provide information on how the community plans to adapt to climate change, and the urban planning and hazard mitigation methods that can be used to facilitate the process. It also posits how government agencies can empower local communities to participate in mitigation planning, and provide local knowledge in order to make those plans more effective. As climate change continues to affect our coastal environments, it will continue to have an effect on our coastal communities. Understanding the strength and longevity of community adaptation in Pointe aux Chenes will help the community respond to the changes and increasing hazards in the environment. This understanding can be applied to all coastal communities facing similar challenges the world over.

The hand has the highest surface area-to-volume ratio of any body part. This property offers the potential for the hand to serve an important function in thermoregulation through radiative heat loss. Theoretically, the capacity for heat loss may be influenced by hand and digit proportions, but the extent to which these proportions influence the hand's radiative properties remains under-investigated. Although hand morphology is highly constrained by both integration and functional dexterity, phenotypic variation in hand and digit proportions across human populations shows broad ecogeographic patterns. These patterns have been associated with climate adaptation. However, the theory linking climate adaptation to such ecogeographic patterns is based on underlying assumptions relating to thermodynamic principles, which have not been tested in vivo. This study sought to determine the influence of hand and digit proportions on heat loss from the hands directly, the additional anthropometric factors that may affect this relationship, and the impact of variation in hand proportions on dexterity in the cold. The relationship between hand proportions and thermoregulation was tested through both laboratory-based investigation and a field study. The laboratory investigation assessed the relationship between hand proportions and heat loss, the influence of body size and composition on this relationship, and the effect of morphological variation on manual dexterity. Participants (N=114; 18-50 years of age), underwent a 3-minute ice-water hand-immersion. Thermal imaging analysis was used to quantify heat loss. Hand and digit proportions were quantified using 2D and 3D scanning techniques; body size and composition were measured using established anthropometric methods and bio-impedance analysis. After accounting for body size, hand width, digit-to-palm length ratio, and skeletal muscle mass were significant predictors of heat loss from the hand, whilsthand length and fat mass were not. A separate set of participants (N=40) performed a Purdue pegboard dexterity test before and after the immersion test, which demonstrated that digit width alone negatively correlated with dexterity. The field study tested whether phenotypic variation in upper limb proportions could be attributed to cold adaptation or selection for dexterity in living populations exposed to significant energetic stress. Upper limb segment lengths were obtained from participants (N=254; 18-59 years of age), from highland and lowland regions of the Nepalese Himalayas using established anthropometric methods, and relative hand proportions were assessed in relation to severe energetic stress associated with life at high altitude. Relative to height, hand length and hand width were not reduced with altitude stress, whilst ulna length was. This indicates that cold adaptation is not shaping hand proportions in this case, although phenotypic variation in other limb segments may be attributed to cold adaptation or a thrifty phenotype mechanism. The current study provides empirical evidence to support the link between surface area-to-volume ratio, thermodynamic principles and ecogeographical patterns in human hand morphology. However, this research also demonstrates the complexity of the hand's role in thermoregulation; not only do other factors such as muscularity affect heat loss from the hand, but hand morphology is also highly constrained by integration and dexterity.

The paper evaluates nature-based solutions for a retrofitting proposal for the combined regeneration, climate adaptation, and green space management of the industrial area Gåsebäck in Helsingborg, Sweden. The objective of this study was to evaluate options for how Gåsebäck could be sustainably regenerated and developed, while providing additional security against future negative effects of climate change, through the implementation of nature-based solutions. The methods used were unstructured interviews, literature study, thematic data analysis, and scoping review. Some urban societal challenges the area is facing were identified as Urban regeneration, Climate adaptation, and Green space management. The suggested NBSs to address these challenges are phytoremediation, mycoremediation, street trees and bushes, green walls, green roofs, flower beds, permeable surfaces, roadside greenery, rain gardens, de-culvertation and pocket parks. Examples of how the identified nature-based solutions can be retrofitted to block Italien are installing green walls on the old fire station for noise and pollution abatement, biodiversity increase, climate regulation, and enhancement of green elements; green roofs on various buildings for e.g. water management, increased biodiversity and green elements; street trees and bushes along the streets Södergatan and Malmöleden/Gåsebäcksvägen for noise and pollution abatement, water management, biodiversity increase, and enhancement of green elements; site specific installation or pocket park with phyto- or mycoremediation; flower beds and roadside traffic to increase attractiveness; and rain gardens and permeable surfaces for water management. / <p>20180620</p>

Climate change is a collective action problem that has been seen as something that needs a global solution. This has resulted in multilateral agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, which can largely be said to have been unsuccessful so far. This has led to an increased awareness of the potential of cities as being part of the solution. Cities are often seen as key sources of climate change, but also as key sites for climate action. The Paris Agreement needs to be implemented on all political levels to be effective. This makes cities an important site for climate policy implementation. Some scholars of urban climate governance have looked at ways to evaluate climate policies in cities as a way to improve these processes. This study means to contribute to that field. The aim of the study is to evaluate climate policies in the city plans of Stockholm and Dublin. This has been done by testing an analytical framework which made it possible to shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of the climate policies and the governance structures in the plans. By doing this it was also possible to identify challenges in using the framework and give suggestions on how the framework can be improved. The study takes the form of a comparative case study of the two cities. Document analysis was used as a method to select and analyse the data and the empirical material consisted of the city plans of Stockholm and Dublin. These are policy documents containing general development plans of the cities. It was concluded that both plans contain both strengths and weaknesses. Examples of strengths are that both plans are well-integrated with activities on the regional and national level, that responsibility for implementation is centralised on the local level, that the plans promote innovation and that the plans are connected to long-term goals and visions. Examples of weaknesses are that neither plan makes use of more hard methods such as regulation, that the Dublin City Plan is not integrated with policy on the global level and that the Stockholm City Plan lacks monitoring systems. Regarding the analytical framework it was concluded that it can be used to analyse city plans rather than metropolitan plans. By testing the framework it was also possible to identify challenges in using the framework and give suggestions on how to improve it, such as by making some of the key attributes of the plan more widely applicable.

Uppsatsens syfte är att analysera hur nedskalning av en global vision till en lokal kontext tar sig uttryck i Oslo kommuns klimatstrategi. Valet av Oslo kommuns klimatstrategi som studieobjekt baserades på Oslos samarbete med UN-Habitat samt utnämnandet av Oslo till Europas miljöhuvudstad 2019 och Norges petroleumverksamhet. Dokumentet Klimastrategi mot Oslo 2030 (2020) har analyserats utifrån begreppen Urbanitet och Hållbar övergång samt innebörden med nedskalning av klimatpolitiken och tre förmedlingsmetoder. Uppsatsen förankras i den tidigare forskningen som behandlar Köpenhamn och Stockholm. För att besvara frågeställningarna; vilka åtgärder presenteras som viktigast för att bli en nollutsläppsstad 2030? Hur beskrivs kopplingarna mellan den lokala klimatstrategin och den globala måluppfyllelsen? Vad finns det för kritiska punkter med strategins åtgärder och lösningar? används en kvalitativ analysmetod där empirin och den vetenskapliga förankringen får lika mycket utrymme. Utifrån den avslutande diskussionen framkommer det i slutsatserna att den största åtgärden i klimatstrategin är CCS-anläggningen på Klemetsrud. Även en fossilfri omställning av transportsektorn samt en minskad energianvändning är av vikt för att Oslo ska lyckas bli en nollutsläppsstad till 2030. Det belyses att den lokala utsläppsredovisningen påverkar den globala måluppfyllelsen. De kritiska punkterna i klimatstrategin som identifierats är; oklarhet gällande biobränslets framtida roll, den diffusa målformuleringen i Indirekta utsläpp samt problematiken med att ta efter åtgärder och lösningar från strategin för andra internationella städer. / The purpose of the thesis is to analyze how downscaling of a global climate vision to a local context is expressed in Oslo Muncipality’s climate strategy. The choice of Oslo municipality's climate strategy as a study object was based on Oslo's collaboration with UN-Habitat, the nomination of Oslo as Europe's environmental capital in 2019 and Norway's petroleum operations. The document Klimastrategi mot Oslo 2030 (2020) has been analyzed on the basis of the concepts of Urbanity and Sustainable Transition, as well as the meaning of downsizing climate policy and three communication methods. The thesis is anchored in the previous research that treats Copenhagen and Stockholm. To answer the questions; which measures are presented as most important to become a zero-emission city in 2030? How are the links between the local climate strategy and global goal fulfillment described? What are the critical points of the strategy's measures and solutions? a qualitative analysis method is used where the empirical data and the scientific foundation are given equal space. Based on the concluding discussion, it appears from the conclusions that the largest measure in the climate strategy is the CCS facility at Klemetsrud. A fossil-free restructuring of the transport sector and a reduction in energy use are also important for Oslo to succeed in becoming a zero-emission city by 2030. It is highlighted that local emission accounting affects global target fulfillment. The critical points in the climate strategy that have been identified are; uncertainty regarding the future role of biofuels, the diffuse goal formulation in Indirect Emissions and the problem of following measures and solutions from the strategy for other international cities.

Land subsidence is in international academic literature recognised as a significant problem for urban environments. The phenomenon can cause severe damage to infrastructure and buildings resulting in expensive repairs or permanent damage to the ground’s conditions and services. In more recent literature, academics have started to connect an increase in land subsidence occurrences to climate change. Performed as a qualitative case study, this thesis research how the relationship between land subsidence and climate change can be understood by exploring Gothenburg municipality’s strategic planning strategies for climate adaptation for flood risk. The research utilizes the qualitative methods of document analyses and semi-structured interviews. The thesis’ results show the relationship between land subsidence and climate change can be understood as a wicked problem in the sense it is hard to define and require multi-level governance to be managed. Benefits for urban planning are identified as increased knowledge on the relationship would bring more comprehensive management of land subsidence on a larger scale as well as enable faster responses in case of risk of climate change-induced land subsidence occurring, threatening the urban environment. Final suggestions are made to further research what information on land subsidence is relevant to include and in which document to enable more strategic management of the topic.

This paper examines vineyard perceptions and adoption of climate change adaptation and water conservation measures in the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA). A survey was distributed to all 220 vineyards and vineyard management companies that operate in the AVA, with a 53.64% response rate. The objective of the survey was to determine vineyard manager and owner attitudes towards climate change and adaptation, as well as their perceptions of how these threats would impact their operation. A second objective was to document the current level of water conservation and climate adaptation while identifying the barriers and opportunities for further adoption of these practices. The third objective was to share a climate projection to assess perceived impacts, attitudes, and perceptions of the projection and capacity to adapt. The final objective was to develop a typology to assist targeted outreach of vineyards. Our results showed that the most important current climate impact is heat, with water regulations and supply being the biggest concern in the future. Vineyards were also found to be relatively unsure about their capability to further implement adaptation measures, with relatively low adoption of most practices already. Decision support tools, like the climate projection, were found to be useful and desired by vineyards for management. Results of our study showed that trust in the information source can be a barrier to use of these tools. We identified further barriers to adoption of practices and identified an outreach strategy using a typology of vineyards, which focused on smaller vineyards and those without wineries. These results can be used to increase efficacy of government and NGO programs that aim to support climate adaptation and water conservation in the region.

One of the challenges today ́s planners face with the urbanization is how to adapt the city to the climate changes, with the increasing precipitation that causes flooding. The concept of Sustainable stormwater management aims to prevent flooding and ensure good water quality, which complies with the EU Water Framework Directive. The aim of this thesis is to investigate how Sustainable stormwater management and climate adaption is implemented in municipal planning in the Bothnian Bay Water District and to map the prevailing conditions and obstacles that may occur. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with municipal planners in Luleå, Umeå, Haparanda, Kiruna, Boden, Piteå and Skellefteå. The answers were analyzed using a deductive thematic analysis method. The interview answers were coded at different levels with the research questions as a focus. This resulted in main themes and subcategories. The result shows that five of seven interviewed municipalities are in the process of implementing Sustainable stormwater management. The municipalities are aware of pollution in stormwater and the importance of good water quality, the goal is to achieve a natural flow of stormwater. Most of the municipalities work with the stormwater issue across administrative boundaries in collaboration. The climate adaptation work in the municipalities consists mainly of rainfall mapping and elevation of buildings. The greatest obstacles to the implementation are unclear division of responsibilities, lack of resources and knowledge and the question of land use. Regarding the municipality's size and geographical locations, factors such as terrain, watercourses / recipients, demographics, finances and human resources are of importance. / En av utmaningarna som urbaniseringen för med sig och som dagens planerare måste hantera är hur staden ska anpassas till klimatförändringarna; med den ökande nederbörden som orsakar översvämningar. Konceptet Långsiktigt hållbar dagvattenhantering syftar till att förhindra översvämningar och säkerställa god vattenkvalitet, vilket överensstämmer med EU: s Vattendirektiv. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur Långsiktigt hållbar dagvattenhantering och klimatanpassning implementeras i kommunal planering i Bottenvikens vattendistrikt och att kartlägga rådande förutsättningar och hinder för denna implementering. Semi-strukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med tjänstepersoner i Luleå, Umeå, Haparanda, Kiruna, Boden, Piteå och Skellefteå. Svaren analyserades med hjälp av en deduktiv tematisk analysmetod. Intervjusvaren kodades på olika nivåer med forskningsfrågorna som fokus. Detta resulterade i huvudteman och underkategorier. Resultatet visar att fem av sju intervjuade kommuner arbetar med att implementera Långsiktigt hållbar dagvattenhantering. Kommunerna är medvetna om föroreningar i dagvatten och vikten av god vattenkvalitet, målet är att uppnå ett naturligt flöde av dagvatten. De flesta av kommunerna arbetar i förvaltningsövergripande samverkan med dagvattenfrågan. Klimatanpassningsarbetet i kommunerna består främst av skyfallskartering och höjdsättning av byggnader. De största hindren för implementeringen  är oklar ansvarsfördelning, brist på resurser och kunskap och frågan om markanvändning. När det gäller kommunens storlek och geografiska läge är faktorer som terräng, vattendrag / recipienter, demografi, finansiering och humankapital av betydelse.

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