Newcastle University study outlines plans to keep cities growing

Oct 13 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

A STUDY led by Newcastle University outlines how major cities must respond if they are to continue to grow in the face of climate change.

The three-year study, led by Newcastle’s Professor Jim Hall, has been carried out for the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.

Houses on stilts, small scale energy generation and recycling dishwater are just some of the measures that are being proposed to prepare our cities for the effects of global warming.

Using new UK climate predictions data for weather patterns over the next century, the research looks at the impact of predicted rises in temperature – particularly in urban areas – increased flooding in winter and less water availability in summer.

The report focuses on the particular challenges facing London but can be used as a model for other UK cities on how policy-makers, businesses and the public must work together to prepare for climate change.

As well as protecting homes and buildings against the increased threat of flooding from rising sea levels, the report emphasises the need to reduce carbon emissions and water usage and move towards cleaner, greener transport.

Newcastle University’s Dr Richard Dawson, one of the report’s authors, said: “There is not one simple solution to this problem. Instead we need a portfolio of measures that work together to minimize the impact of climate change while allowing for our cities to grow.

“Most importantly we have to cut our carbon dioxide emissions but at the same time we need to prepare for the extremes of weather – heat waves, droughts and flooding – which we are already starting to experience.

“The difficulty is balancing one risk against another while allowing for the expected population and employment growth and that is what our work attempts to address.”