Key Approaches to Planning For Climate Change for Cities in Australia - Essay Example

Key Approaches to Planning For Climate Change for Cities in Australia Name Course Instructor Date Key Approaches to Planning For Climate Change for Cities in Australia Introduction The role of cities in climate change is put into consideration for various reasons. Cities are very vital to local livelihoods and regional and worldwide economy. Moreover, majority of the world’s populations and assets are housed in urban centers. Majority of people are housed in cities along the coastal Asia (Blakely 2012). Adaptation with respect to climate change is the major confront that faces cities. There has been conferences which aim at exploration of risk assessment; various approaches of variation planning; alleviation and variation interactions in the urban areas. Challenges across a variety of cities development conditions have been analyzed. The results vary from the local studies of provinces, to nationality cities, to minute municipalities in Asia. Hazard is analyzed through; climatic trends; social and physical trends which are estimated through poverty levels, levels of economic activities, and ecological aspects; agency is estimated via the tendency of local government to show response to minimization of risks, through endorsement of adaptive planning that keeps ongoing investors informed (Schott 2010). However, there are risks associated with the methods that have been adopted for risk management in the urban areas, and the mechanisms adopted for adaptation planning in cities in Australia (Byrne & Sipe 2014). Most cities are putting into consideration climate deviation in urban planning. However, some have started to incorporate responses to the difficulties associated with economic growth priorities. This information is based on a report by the Urban Climate Change Survey. Considering 350 cities globally, inclusive of those in Australia, the survey displays that city planners have pointed out climate change as the most significant challenge; having in mind the ideology of jobs creation, development, and cost savings. Planners have stated that climate change has extensive impacts for many urban life aspects and many cities are beginning to respond (Blakely 2012). This paper addresses the key approaches to planning for climate change for cities in Australia in the context of recent experiences of extreme events (Schott 2010). Priorities for adaptive planning Coastal regions especially those further than Australia’s capital are highly be affected climate change. Financial, legal, and social risks to coastal population include; vulnerability to shoreline erosion, flooding and variations in weather outline, rainstorms rush, effects of rise in sea level. Currently, certain homes are already affected. There is an estimate of 711000 homes build along the coastal zone. More than 35% of these homes are vulnerable to effects of climatic change such as sea level rise (Byrne & Sipe 2014). Risks associated with climate change are not only concentrated in the coastal regions; however, they are the worst affected. Despite these challenges, there is continued pressure on the coastal areas and have recorded the highest growing populations. The growth is attributed to the need for demand for second residence and tourism growth for accommodation of seasonal visitors in the regions (Blakely 2012). Local governments are solely responsible for the main decisions concerning future growth in regions susceptible to climate change; yet there is little awareness among the locals about the possible consequences of such decisions. The National Sea Change Taskforce (NSCT) carried out a research on adaptive planning and was the first cooperate to warn about these changes. Thereafter, there has been emergent of various initiatives which aim at understanding and planning for climate change adaptation, especially in the Australia coastal regions. Currently, there is lack of sufficient policy and legislature to address climate change in Australia Many researchers argue that there is need for a tough, inclusive, and consistent policy system to address climate change up to national level. Powerful government policy would be of great significance to the local government regions. A high priority should be given to response to various regions of climate susceptibility within the local region. Loyal staff members would offer the required assistance and improvement of legal advice accessibility (Byrne & Sipe 2014). Current policies Various surveys show that many local governments in the coastal Australia have started engaging into climate change adaptation actions. It has been proven that a continuum of climate change adaptation actions, responding to climatic change, has begun at local level. There is detailed risk assessment before any inclusive adaptive plans are executed and variety of initiatives for resilience development. However, these initiatives are not yet implemented. Few local government areas have reflected climate variation consideration by making some changes in the planning controls. However, majority of the planners have just recently started reviewing and amending the planning systems, while others have not started (Blakely 2012). Strategies which aim at addressing local infrastructure have already been proposed in many areas; however, only a small percentage of the local governments have executed these strategies. Although reasonable budget has been put aside in the bigger local governments for climate adaptation provision, in smaller regions the execution of the adaptation is hindered by insufficiency of resources. In smaller local governments regions, proposals for susceptible areas are carefully assessed by the local planners. Majority of the smaller regions overcome the resources challenge by collaborating with nearby local governments for joint risk assessment and tactical planning (Schott 2010). There are a variety of policies that enforce climate change adaptation in Australia. Also, the Australian government has employed some initiatives that support climate change research the initiatives range from wide research program such as the CSIRO’s Climate Adaptation Flagship to programs that are specific to certain sectors such as the marine and Climate Super Science Initiative. The Climate Change Adaptation Program was introduced to assist the Australians comprehend the dangers associated with climate change (Byrne & Sipe 2014). Since 2007 to date, the government of Australia has allocated government funds for use in the climate change sciences and research. There are various initiatives which aim at assisting the coastal people make climate change adaptation changes. There are two programs so far which have been executed; the caring for our Coast policy which addressed future challenges; and the Coastal Adaptation Decision Pathways Program which aimed at improvement of the future climate management. The role of the Coast and the Climate Change Council is to mingle with the coastal communities on climatic change adaptation matters and advice the national government on the implications of decision making for coastal climate change (Schott 2010). The States and the Territories At the state and territorial level, there are different levels of climate change alleviation and adaptation policy and legislation expansion. Sea level rise issue started being considered in the South Australian planning system after 1992 and continues up to date. It lies under coastal wearing away, deluges, and sea level rise which are part of the local development planning. Coastal risk has received great weight of evolving planning policy and coastal management; specific coastal planning policies are already in place. It puts emphasis on sea level rise of up to 40 cm by the year 2050; a rise of 90cm by 2100 (Blakely 2012). However, the benchmarks are frequently reviewed and updated. The Coastal planning Guideline outlines 8 criterion proponents ought to consider when choosing locations for coastal growth in relation; to the associated risks; public safeness; aptitude to maintenance of coastal processes such as public beaches, and amenity (Byrne & Sipe 2014). About three years ago, two guides were released for use in the coastal flood risk assessment procedures. However, the guides are in optional nature. In 2012, there were amendments in the NSW Coastal Protection Act 1979 which required property owners to carry out immediate coastal protection activities under specific conditions with no development endorsement. There are provisions which took effect in early 2011 which require local government regions to embrace information on planning documents concerning any planning restrictions in relation to coastal hazards such as flooding. The Australia government is advised to offer broad details about risks and exposure of articulated sea level rise. Queensland is the foremost to authorize climate change consideration during planning and development analysis. Are Australian cities ready for climate shift? Climate variation risks challenge majority of the suppositions cities have been built. In the coming generations, there is a risk that Sydney might become depicted to climate that is almost alike to that of Brisbane. Brisbane on the other hand ought to get prepared for climate almost alike to that of Far North Queensland. Such challenges should not be taken for granted by the planning professionals and those involved in decision making (Blakely 2012). Cities ought to be reasonably adaptable systems that are multifaceted in political, social, and economic systems. Cities are centers of innovation. Hence, cities in Australia have been able to take up to various levels of achievements, rapid population growth rate, high requirements for public facility increment, and vital technology novelty (Byrne & Sipe 2014). Currently there is a significant challenge of the cities to put up with the effects of climatic change without interfering with the urban functional role. Australian cities have high number of people and built infrastructure. The blend of the two is associated with various risks. Climate change will have effects on normal business of any city. Occasional and extreme weather occasions which include heavy rains and storms are the main short run consequences of climate change. Majority of Australian cities are coastal; hence, there is need to highly consider rise in the sea level as one of the major risks. Currently, some regions are already experiencing effects of changing erosion and heavy storm. In the tropical and sub-tropical regions, cyclones worsen these dangers. Cities whose planning is inclusive of flood risk thresholds ought to make the necessary amendments with respect to climatic change (Byrne & Sipe 2014). Heat waves are usually experienced in the Southern Australia. Heat waves are superimposed with trends of rising temperatures. During this trends, death rates increase significantly in places such as Victoria. Heat waves are serious problems in the rapidly growing cities. These effects are worsened by the urban heat island consequences. It refers to situations whereby the interior sections of a huge agglomeration get hotter than the neighboring rural regions due to the capturing of heat by buildings and other solid constructions. A few years ago, heat wave led to electricity breakdown and clasping of railway lines (Schott 2010). Strategies Cities Have Put Up For Adaptive Planning Most of the Australian cities have adopted frameworks that aim at addressing risks related to climatic change. Response methods are present in all cities and are distributed amongst the state emergency services, metropolitan fire brigade, and the medical emergency services. In the recent years, response systems have transformed into an inclusive process of crisis administration (Blakely 2012). The major spotlight today lies in the prevention of adverse weather effects from causing harm. Also, there are efforts to prepare people, buildings, and infrastructure for natural vulnerability. Floods that occur in places like Victoria and Queensland have emphasized the need for preparedness; rather than rushing to find solutions when natural disasters have already caused the damage. The cities have made these developments into their planning strategies (Schott 2010). Climate change puts intense emphasis on deterrence and readiness. Many impacts such as long term and powerful heat waves will arise in the cities due to the rapidly growing urban population. People will no longer depend on the historical experiences in evaluated the types of possible risks. It became evident in 2009 during the Black Saturday heat wave and bush fires. Majority of people lacked instinctive guidance on when was the right time to vacate the fire prone regions (Byrne & Sipe 2014). Future Tasks for Effective Planning For Climate Change Cities have significant roles ahead to ensure that they can put up with effects of climate change. Planning for land use needs some reviewing so as to give room for seas level rise, flooding, and other adverse climate effects that impinge on built structures. City planners and people involved in decision making ought to make joint efforts to reduce the vulnerability of people, infrastructure, and environments to climate change (Byrne & Sipe 2014). Planning and development ought to put into consideration maximal future climate variations. Information concerning future climate changes is not certain, however, that should not prevent planning against associated risks. Local governments ought to largely involve the public, residents, and business owners concerning possible risks that may affect specific regions, group of individuals, and businesses. This process is inclusive of bottom-top communication, where the local knowledge is considered in decision making level at state level (Blakely 2012). A renewed effort is vital in planning for climate change in Australia. Local governments ought to work jointly in addressing all the aspects of strategic urban planning for climate change. Planning for climate change need be put into consideration together with social, economic, and other factors that contribute to urban change. Decisions adopted will always determine the developmental pathways the cities will take in the coming years. There is no other choice other than in-cooperating the climate change risks in the every planning and decision making for our cities (Schott 2010). What Is Remaining In Planning For Climate Change? Majority of the local governments have already implemented policies for planning and assessing for the risks of climate change; though there has not been clarity on how the accountability for climate change adaptation ought to be dealt out with across various government levels (Byrne & Sipe 2014). Majority of councils have carried out evaluations of climate change hazards which have chances of affecting their city. The assessment results are used to respond to the effects of climate change. The councils have agreed that majority of the decisions concerning climate change ought to be made as soon as possible, despite the doubts that surround climate change projections (Blakely 2012). However, financial and competence restraints place huge hurdles for the implementation of these plans even for the richest municipals. In smaller regions, there is no planning for climate change that occurs. There are no sufficient financing schemes for such roles. Joint investment and knowledge interchange between the local government, residents, and experts is very significant for effective planning for a safe future (Byrne & Sipe 2014). Conclusion Climate change adaptation is the major confront that cities face. Challenges across a variety of cities developmental conditions vary from the local studies of provinces, to nationality cities, to minute municipalities in Asia. Coastal cities are the most affected by the risks associated with climate change. Risks involved include rise in sea level, persistent storm, and erosions. Heat waves may be experienced in any rapidly growing cities. Various surveys show that many local governments in the coastal Australia have started the engagement into climate change adaptation actions. There are a variety of policies that enforce climate change adaptation in Australia. The Climate Change Adaptation Program was introduced to assist the Australians comprehend the dangers associated with climate change. There are various initiatives which aim at assisting the coastal people make climate change adaptation changes. There is no certainty on information concerning climate change; however, necessary measures for maximal climatic change ought to be adapted. Bibliography Blakely, E, J, 2012, Resilient coastal city regions: planning for climate change in the United States and Australia, Cambridge, Mass, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. Byrne, J, Sipe, N, 2014, Australian Environmental Planning Challenges and Future Prospects, Hoboken, Taylor and Francis. Schott, C, 2010, Tourism and the implications of climate change issues and actions, Bingley, U.K, Emerald. Read More

Current policies Various surveys show that many local governments in the coastal Australia have started engaging into climate change adaptation actions. It has been proven that a continuum of climate change adaptation actions, responding to climatic change, has begun at local level. There is detailed risk assessment before any inclusive adaptive plans are executed and variety of initiatives for resilience development. However, these initiatives are not yet implemented. Few local government areas have reflected climate variation consideration by making some changes in the planning controls.

However, majority of the planners have just recently started reviewing and amending the planning systems, while others have not started (Blakely 2012). Strategies which aim at addressing local infrastructure have already been proposed in many areas; however, only a small percentage of the local governments have executed these strategies. Although reasonable budget has been put aside in the bigger local governments for climate adaptation provision, in smaller regions the execution of the adaptation is hindered by insufficiency of resources.

In smaller local governments regions, proposals for susceptible areas are carefully assessed by the local planners. Majority of the smaller regions overcome the resources challenge by collaborating with nearby local governments for joint risk assessment and tactical planning (Schott 2010). There are a variety of policies that enforce climate change adaptation in Australia. Also, the Australian government has employed some initiatives that support climate change research the initiatives range from wide research program such as the CSIRO’s Climate Adaptation Flagship to programs that are specific to certain sectors such as the marine and Climate Super Science Initiative.

The Climate Change Adaptation Program was introduced to assist the Australians comprehend the dangers associated with climate change (Byrne & Sipe 2014). Since 2007 to date, the government of Australia has allocated government funds for use in the climate change sciences and research. There are various initiatives which aim at assisting the coastal people make climate change adaptation changes. There are two programs so far which have been executed; the caring for our Coast policy which addressed future challenges; and the Coastal Adaptation Decision Pathways Program which aimed at improvement of the future climate management.

The role of the Coast and the Climate Change Council is to mingle with the coastal communities on climatic change adaptation matters and advice the national government on the implications of decision making for coastal climate change (Schott 2010). The States and the Territories At the state and territorial level, there are different levels of climate change alleviation and adaptation policy and legislation expansion. Sea level rise issue started being considered in the South Australian planning system after 1992 and continues up to date.

It lies under coastal wearing away, deluges, and sea level rise which are part of the local development planning. Coastal risk has received great weight of evolving planning policy and coastal management; specific coastal planning policies are already in place. It puts emphasis on sea level rise of up to 40 cm by the year 2050; a rise of 90cm by 2100 (Blakely 2012). However, the benchmarks are frequently reviewed and updated. The Coastal planning Guideline outlines 8 criterion proponents ought to consider when choosing locations for coastal growth in relation; to the associated risks; public safeness; aptitude to maintenance of coastal processes such as public beaches, and amenity (Byrne & Sipe 2014).

About three years ago, two guides were released for use in the coastal flood risk assessment procedures. However, the guides are in optional nature. In 2012, there were amendments in the NSW Coastal Protection Act 1979 which required property owners to carry out immediate coastal protection activities under specific conditions with no development endorsement.

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