Legislation, economics and science - climate change in Riga

Transcription

1 Legislation, economics and science - climate change in Riga Andris Ločmanis Climate Change Adaptation in Practice, 3rd International BaltCICA Conference, Helsinki, January, 2012

2 Contents Introduction Riga social economic and geographical context Climate change adaptation knowledge in Riga Application of climate change adaptation knowledge transfer, approaches and measures in Riga City

3 Riga social economic context Governance: Riga municipality - largest in the country Population: ~700 thous or 31.4% of total Latvian population in 2011 Density: average 2303 persons per km2, at neighborhood level varies from 9 to persons per km2, flood-prone and coastal areas have lower densities Economy: 53% of total GDP in 2009 Knowledge base: Dominates in R&D, has 76% of all students in Latvia Spatial structure: in total 24.4 % under parks and nature areas and 15.6 % under inland water areas. Built-up areas: UNESCO heritage site, transport hub, high concentration of infrastructure, services, industry Nature: 17% of territory covered by particularly protected nature areas and microreserves and these are mainly on coastal and flood prone areas City-region: daily commuting area expands has approximately 1 million inhabitants and Riga planning region produces 66.0 % of GDP. The extended capital city s region is situated in the delta region of three large rivers Daugava, Lielupe and Gauja

4 GAUJA LAKE BALTEZERS LAKE KISEZERS LAKE JUGLAS HPS Refference map: Latvian Geospatial information agency DAUGAVA BUĻĻUPE LIELUPE

5 Need to for the climate change adaptation in Riga Bottom-up: observations (storm surges, costal, erosion, changes in characteristics of seasons, precipitation regime, damages to property and economics), initiatives by scientists and local communities, collaboration with the BSR transnational projects ASTRA, , BaltCICA , participation in Life+ project Top-down: national government commitments and the international and locally adopted knowledge (data, trends, scenarios, current and future impacts) of climate change research community, willingness to take part in the BSRlevel activities

6 Historical weather events and long-term data as instrument in discussing climate change adaptation The historical weather events can play critical role in the communicating possible future damages caused by climate change Riga City has both natural (dunes, beaches and wetlands) and man-made coastal protection. Historical flood protection measures can be analysed and used for climate change adaption measures

7 Riga climate change research community Drivers: Individual research activities and international activities, ASTRA, BaltCICA, Baltadapt,Latvian National Research Program on Climate Change Impacts on the Waters of Latvia KALME , Life+ project In situations with high levels of uncertainty and complexity the role of experts and knowledge in policy arenas became particularly relevant. The knowledge and stakeholder involvement with different knowledge frames gives a capacity to act in uncertain situations. Trust is needed to overcome barriers to new knowledge and knowledge and policy transfer

8 Climate change adaptation is located between science, practice, communication, learning, policy-making and policy-transfer Data, models, scenarios, impact analysis, GIS, etc Reflection Real world Place and time Reflection Local inhabitants Experts Action Reflection Action Policy-makers Joint action

9 Life+ project HydroClimateStrategyRiga Project initiated due to recent climatic events, availability of specific knowledge and funding The Life+ project HydroClimateStrategyRiga - Integrated strategy for Riga City to adapt to the hydrological processes intensified by climate change phenomena The total sum of the project is EUR. 50% is financed by the EU and 50% by the Riga Municipality Hydrological processes are studied, cooperation with Latvian scientists, 3-D relief and land use (DEM) model is prepared, cost assessment is prepared, learning from foreign experiences local politicians and municipal staff / experts visits to Hague, Antwerp and Hamburg. Actual small-scale activities implemented the improvement of urban water system management

10 Long-term data for Riga city Maximum water level at seacoast, Riga Maksimālie ūdenslīmeņi, un applūduma varbūtības mūsdienās un nākotnes scenārijos m c, 200 is n e līm s n e d 150 ū is la ā im s k a 100 M Varbūtība: y = 0,363x - 599, Gadi Bethers, 2010

11 Different flood scenarios by Life+ project Current situation scenario Long-term future data: LIFE08 ENV/LV/000451

12 Flood protection sollutions by the Riga Life+ project ALTERNATIVE 1 ALTERNATIVE 2 data: LIFE08 ENV/LV/000451

13 - due to seminars in Potsdam PIK was pointed out that the flood affected areas are very independed and it's a field for MCDA - Riga city planners, project managers and finance experts need a method and knowledge for planing city budget and EU financed or co-financed projects or disscusing with citizens - we define different 14 areas

14 MCDA criteria ALL Affected people Increase factor in near future Workplaces in affected areas increase factor in near future Economical losses increase factor in near future critical/risk/pollution risk objects Public infrastructuere/heritage Evacuation roads Afected area FINAL * Affected people * Economical losses * Increase factor in near future for economical losses

15 MCDA analysis

16 MCDA results Affected people more important that economical losses Economical losses more important that affected people

17 Conclusions - Results of BaltCICA projects will be presented to Riga city stakeholders, delivered for Life+ project team, who will try integrate them into Flood manadgment plan for Riga city - MCDA is powerfull tool in City planners toolbox - It's not the end just stopower for further researces

18 Thank you for your attention! Laila Kūle, Agrita Briede, Māris Kļaviņš, Ieva Bruņeniece, Andris Ločmanis - BaltCICA team University of Latvia