A 2009 – 2010 project undertaken by the AILA in partnership with the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA), and in consultation with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia.
The Climate Adaptation Tools for Sustainable Settlements (CATSS) project 2009-2010 has been assisted by the Australian Government through The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
Project contact: Catherine Neilson AILA: 61 2 6248 9970
other references:
www.aila.org.au/policies
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From the IFLA President
The International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) has as one of its main objects, to contribute in identifying and preserving the intricate balance of those ecological systems upon which the future of civilization depends. This means, that the main goals of our organization are directly related with sustainability.
IFLA is deeply proud of having the opportunity to work together with our member association AILA as a partner on this project, which is a response to our central commitment.
The outcomes of this project will be an important contribution to a more sustainable urban environment and to achieve a better life quality for people in Australia, in a first approach, but also adaptable for settlements all around the world.
Desiree Martínez
IFLA-President
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From the AILA National President
The AILA has been moving to have a stronger international presence in recent years. Thanks to Diane Menzies' leadership and encouragement, in her recent role as President of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) , the AILA took the initiative to provide research based resources to assist landscape architects nationally and internationally as they deal with the challenges of climate change.
It has become essential that the profession worldwide has access to high quality and well researched information and data. Research activities, such as those undertaken for this report are a priority for the AILA.
The AILA hopes to continue our international partnerships through IFLA and to share ideas and resources to TRANSFORM the way all built environment professions do business in the future.
Mandy Rounsefell
AILA National President
Climate change presents multiple challenges for the planning and retrofitting of sustainable communities and settlements – indeed, some argue it is the most significant sustainability driver of all. 1
A great deal of effort has been expended at national and international levels towards defining targets and benchmarks for preventing escalating global levels of GHG emissions from triggering climate ‘tipping points’ beyond which adaptation options will no longer be viable, at least within timeframes relevant to the survival of humanity as a species.
Alongside this primary imperative of addressing mitigation strategies lies the additional task of managing the emerging, unavoidable impacts of a changing global climate regime - the legacy of previous increases in GHG emission levels.
Measuring how we define and work towards adaptable, sustainable human settlements has never been more critical.
While much attention has been paid in recent years to issues such as improving energy, water and transport efficiency within the built environment, there are other specific linked sustainability dimensions which require more explicit and thorough consideration when it comes to defining ‘best practice’ climate adaptation tools.
These include radical reduction of carbon footprints2, integrated planning and design strategies that consider resilience3, and community participation in the processes of identification & protection of key aspects of quality of life.4
1. Morton et al.(2009), Sheppard et al. (2008)
2. Sheppard et al. (2008)
3. Walker & Salt (2006)
4. Sheppard et al. (2008)
The AILA in partnership with the IFLA have completed a one year project to conduct a preliminary review of Australian and international examples of climate adaptation tools and strategies for responding to the impacts of climate change in the context of cities and their urban environments.
A “Climate Adaptation Tool” (CAT) was defined as:
“…a described set of methods applied within the context of urban planning, design and management processes to enable the formulation, application and evaluation of adaptive responses to the impacts of climate change within human settlements, as part of a broader integrated sustainability approach.”
The project aimed to:
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Identify a range of climate adaptation tools currently in use or under development within Australia and overseas.
- Examine their scope of influence and potential applicability within the context of national and international initiatives to foster climate-adapted and sustainable human settlements.
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Full Report (June 2010) - download PDF here
