The podcast discusses the challenges faced by Florence and Athens in adapting to climate change, including flooding in Florence and extreme heat in Athens. It highlights Florence's innovative approach of creating parks as flood sponges and discusses the initiative to increase green spaces in Athens to combat heat waves and flash floods.
Florence has transformed itself into a sponge to prevent flooding and provide green spaces for residents.
Athens is increasing its green spaces by 25% to combat heatwaves and create enjoyable outdoor spaces for citizens.
Deep dives
Florence's Sponge Strategy for Flood Mitigation
Florence, a city prone to floods due to heavy rain, has developed an innovative adaptation strategy. Instead of relying on concrete tanks to capture excess water, Florence has transformed itself into a sponge. The city has created parks around the river, allowing the water to spill onto grass and sink into the earth during floods. This solution not only prevents flooding but also provides residents with attractive green spaces when there is no flooding, making the city more livable.
Athens' Green Spaces for Heat Reduction
Athens, a city experiencing hotter temperatures, has taken measures to tackle its heat problem. With 80% of the city covered in concrete, heat waves are exacerbated, making the center of Athens 10 degrees Celsius hotter than the suburbs. To combat this, Athens is increasing its green spaces by 25% and connecting them to create a network of parks. These green spaces allow hot air to move freely, reducing the heat trapped by concrete. The incorporation of biodiversity programs in these areas also adds to the city's environmental resilience and provides citizens with enjoyable outdoor spaces.
1.
Innovative Adaptation Strategies in Florence and Athens
Urban climate adaptation is the next step for cities that need to protect themselves—and their citizens—against the inevitable effects of climate change. Here are some ideas about how to do it.