The social equality of Nature-based Solutions to urban heat stress

Climate change governance requires a comprehensive assessment of how policy strategies may affect individuals and communities. However, policy development and implementation often downplay or even run the risk of increasing social inequality aspects. To close this gap, SENSUS critically questions implementation practices and options for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for urban heat stress and to foster NbS in a way that advances both urban resilience and social equality in access to adequate housing. In a broad interdisciplinary setting, the project applies quantitative and qualitative models and methodologies to study the need and possible adaptation policies with a focus on how to integrate societal aspects and unintended consequences and trade-offs, such as gentrification or housing policies (dis-)favoring specific ethnical groups, into current policy design. A transdisciplinary policy-science dialogue ensures that stakeholders and policy-makers are included both as recipients and co-producers of knowledge. The project’s comprehensive systemic approach guarantees new insights into a widely underexposed dynamic, namely the link between NbS and social equality in urban environments. The outcomes will directly benefit the Vienna city planning by fostering improved governance and management of climate change risks, not only through direct interactions with the project team and findings, but also by disseminating to a wider circle of relevant stakeholders and interest groups.