Verona ADAPT. Modeling as a planning instrument: a climate adaptation proposal for Verona South

For reducing the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, the planning process was supported through modeling the urban environment; this method demonstrated the efficiency of Urban Green Infrastructure and provided future scenarios and climate proof adaptive strategies.

Climate adaptation represents the occasion to rethink the urban space, whose vulnerability to climate change increases especially during the so-called “heat waves”.  After analyzing the UHI effect within the city of Verona (IT), the project focused on the industrial area in the southern part of the city where the presence of a heavy industrial urbanization represents a critical issue for the urban quality. A climate proof and energy efficient planning proposal for this area has been presented to foreseen the potential of further sustainable development.

After investigating both the urban structure and the climatic potential, a specific program was developed: its aim is to propose the Urban Green Infrastructure for reducing the human footprint and improving the outdoor comfort conditions. 

Accordingly, the strategic masterplan proposed an effective simulation through a mesoscale meteorological model. Even if the final scenario refers to 2040, the climate adaptation is considered a process with subsequent steps and goals that can be addressed from the short time (2022). Three main strategies were highlighted and defined: improving the natural ventilation, developing a green network and reducing the waterproof surfaces.

Designing some focus areas permitted to explain the strategies and their prefiguration. The key point of the planning proposal is to gather different local actions for achieving the general climate adaptation goal.