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Resilient Cities in the Context of Climate Change

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Ecology Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2026 | Viewed by 8574

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. María Isabel Rodríguez Rojas

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Guest Editor

Department of Urban Planning, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: sustainable urban drainage systems and nature-based solutions; urban planning; integrated water management; flood management; soil sealing; climate change; resilient cities
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Dr. Maddi Garmendia

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Engineering in Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Europa Plaza 1, 20018 Donostia, Spain
Interests: sustainable drainage systems and planning; nature-based solutions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the growing impact of climate change has highlighted the urgent need for cities to enhance their resilience to environmental disruptions. Urban areas, home to a significant proportion of the global population, are particularly vulnerable to climate-related risks such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and increased temperatures. These challenges necessitate a comprehensive and proactive approach to urban planning and development.

Resilience, in the context of cities, refers to the ability of urban infrastructure, planning, ecosystems, and communities to anticipate, prepare for, and recover from the adverse effects of climate change. Achieving this resilience requires a multi-faceted strategy that incorporates both mitigation and adaptation measures. Mitigation efforts, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, are essential in slowing the pace of climate change, while adaptation strategies must focus on strengthening urban infrastructure, improving water management systems, enhancing social cohesion to withstand climate impacts, and changing the urban model of impermeabilization.

For this purpose, scientific researchers must work with stakeholders, urban planners, policymakers, and citizens in order to enhance the capacity of cities to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change, contributing to the long-term sustainability and well-being of urban populations.

We are pleased to invite you to this Special Issue regarding climate-resilient cities. This Special Issue aims to promote scientific research on topics related to measures to improve the resilience of cities in the 21st century.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

1. Nature-based solutions and green infrastructures.
3. Sustainable drainage systems and low-impact developments.
3. Sustainable urban planning and water-sensitive urban design.
4. Flood protection.
5. Adaptive water management.
6. Energy efficiency improvements.
7. Climate-resilient transportation systems.
8. Community engagement and education.
9. Disaster preparedness and early warning systems.
10. Urban resilience governance.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. María Isabel Rodríguez Rojas
Dr. Maddi Garmendia
Guest Editors

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Keywords

sustainable urban planning
resilient cities
sustainable drainage systems

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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30 pages, 2318 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Community Resilience Through the Uptake of Innovative Solutions: The C2IMPRESS Approach

by Athanasios Papadopoulos, Maria Ismini Galanopoulou, Evangelia Bakogianni, Dimitrios Tzempelikos, Margalida Ribas-Muntaner, Alexandre Moragues, Joan Estrany, Josué Díaz Jiménez, Antoni Bernat Girard, Ertuğrul Tombul, Mehmet Çiçekçi, Nurhan Temiz, Ana Catarina Zózimo, João L. Craveiro, Manuel M. Oliveira, Maria Manuel Cruz and Athanasios Sfetsos

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3545; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073545 - 4 Apr 2026

Viewed by 573

Abstract

This study bridges the existing gaps in quantifying risk and enhancing community defences by applying a cohesive five-pillar risk and resilience framework developed within the C2IMPRESS project. We assessed the anticipated impacts of various C2IMPRESS tools on community resilience across four European case study areas (CSAs): Egaleo (Greece), Mallorca (Spain), Ordu (Turkey), and the Centro Region (Portugal). Methodologically, a targeted survey asked CSA representatives to estimate the expected changes across 42 resilience indicators—encompassing social, institutional, economic, infrastructural, and environmental dimensions—following tool implementation. A public–private-civil partnership (PPCP) framework was also assessed across all sites to enable a comparative analysis. The results indicate that individual vulnerability and emergency preparedness are the most responsive dimensions, exhibiting significant projected improvements alongside institutional capacities and community trust. Conversely, the community economy emerged as the least flexible dimension, exhibiting minimal anticipated change. In conclusion, the C2IMPRESS framework effectively bridges disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation by integrating local knowledge into actionable interventions. However, while social and institutional resilience can be actively enhanced, improving economic resilience requires long-term structural adjustments beyond the scope of these localised tools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilient Cities in the Context of Climate Change)

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32 pages, 4990 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multiscale Framework for Bioclimatic Adaptation: Quantifying the Passive Performance of High-Mass Vernacular Heritage

by Soon Khei, Ricardo Mateus, Javier Ortega and Raúl Briones-Llorente

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 2839; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16062839 - 16 Mar 2026

Viewed by 546

Abstract

As global climate volatility intensifies, the built environment requires passive capacity to decouple habitability from external extremes. While vernacular architecture is a cited bioclimatic model, research often lacks long-term quantitative validation. This study addresses this gap through a multiscale framework applied to Montesinho Natural Park, Portugal. Integrating a typological survey with a one-year in situ monitoring campaign (2024–2025), the study utilises Python-based data processing to calculate statistical cross-correlations and benchmarks thermal resilience against the Portuguese Adaptive Comfort Model. Results substantiate a “Hierarchy of Filtration”: (1) Geological Scale: Location correlates statistically with lithological availability; (2) Settlement Scale: Topographical shielding suppresses the Diurnal Temperature Range (DTR) by 20.5%; (3) Envelope Scale: Traditional Stone-on-Earth assemblies exhibit a 16.5 h thermal lag, while vertical functional stratification dampens 47% of external annual temperature extremes. The study concludes that retrofitting must shift to “Balancing Inertia and Connectivity”. This approach mitigates the ‘maladaptation’ risks observed in modern lightweight interventions, providing an empirical template for passive thermal resilience applicable to resilient urban design in a warming climate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilient Cities in the Context of Climate Change)

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20 pages, 7197 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Urban Energy Independence via Renewable Energy Communities: A GIS-Based Optimization of the Flaminio Stadium District in Rome

by Leone Barbaro, Daniele Vitella, Gabriele Battista, Emanuele de Lieto Vollaro and Roberto de Lieto Vollaro

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 2732; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16062732 - 12 Mar 2026

Viewed by 323

Abstract

Identifying real-world saturation points and grid-hosting capacity in mixed-use urban Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) requires dynamic spatial evaluation. To address this, this paper introduces a novel simulation framework that integrates GIS spatial analysis with an iterative heuristic selection algorithm. The proposed method evaluates the energetic interaction between a primary generation node and surrounding consumers, utilizing a dynamic function to calculate the collective Self-Consumption Rate (SCR). Applied to the Flaminio Stadium in Rome, the model incrementally aggregates users to determine the optimal cluster size for economic feasibility. The results demonstrate that the heuristic selection algorithm successfully refined the community from an initial pool of 854 buildings to an optimal cluster of 734. This targeted selection eliminated energy surplus and achieved a near-perfect collective SCR of 99.8%. Furthermore, by strategically reducing the required installed PV capacity by 52.6%, the initial capital investment dropped from € 89.9 million to € 42.6 million, significantly de-risking the project while maintaining a competitive payback period of approximately 13 years. Ultimately, this study presents a scalable spatial optimization tool that empowers decision makers to transform large-scale urban infrastructure into the energetic and economic engines of district wide decarbonization Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilient Cities in the Context of Climate Change)

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22 pages, 3854 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Nature-Based Solutions: Technical, Economic, and Managerial Insights from Case Studies Comparisons

by Valeria Mammone and Carmine Massarelli

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 2686; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16062686 - 11 Mar 2026

Viewed by 593

Abstract

In recent years, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), defined as interventions inspired by ecosystem processes and aimed at generating environmental, social, and economic benefits, have taken on a central role in urban regeneration and climate change adaptation processes. Despite widespread recognition of their advantages, the spread of NBS is still limited by uncertainties related to performance over time, management costs, and governance models. With the intent of overcoming this limitation, this paper proposes a comparative analysis of case studies of green infrastructure in urban areas, with the aim of identifying the main factors that determine their effectiveness and sustainability throughout their entire life cycle. The research, conducted through a critical review of the literature and the application of a SWOT analysis, highlights the technical, economic, and management conditions that influence the performance of NBS in relation to different contexts of application. The outcome of the study is the definition of an interpretative framework to support designers and decision-makers, geared towards the replicability of solutions, the optimization of resources, and the structural integration of NBS into urban and environmental planning and regeneration processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilient Cities in the Context of Climate Change)

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31 pages, 41197 KB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Resilience Policy Instruments: How Local Strategic Documents Address Greening and Rainwater Management—Case Studies from Polish Cities

by Katarzyna Samborska-Goik, Jacek Krzyżak, Joachim Bronder and Wanda Jarosz

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 2561; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16052561 - 6 Mar 2026

Viewed by 582

Abstract

Climate change adaptation has become a central policy priority, requiring coordinated and systematic action. Cities, as areas highly exposed to climate-related risks, increasingly assume responsibility for implementing effective adaptation measures. In this context, municipalities are required to incorporate Urban Greening and Rainwater Management Concepts into their Climate Adaptation Plans. This paper presents a structured methodology for developing these strategic concepts as components of a City Adaptation Plan, in accordance with recent legislative mandates in Poland. Through case studies conducted in two Polish cities, we demonstrate an integrated approach that combines geospatial analysis, climate projections, planning document review, and participatory stakeholder workshops to produce comprehensive Greening and Rainwater Management Concepts. The methodology enables the identification of vulnerable areas and priority interventions for climate adaptation, strengthens the integration of nature-based solutions into urban planning, and reframes rainwater as a resource within urban systems. The resulting documents provide municipal authorities with an evidence-based framework for resilience planning, supporting funding applications and guiding future green infrastructure and drainage investments. The approach contributes to enhanced urban ecosystem services, improved flood mitigation and thermal regulation, participatory planning processes, and a stronger foundation for long-term urban resilience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilient Cities in the Context of Climate Change)

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20 pages, 3271 KB

Open AccessArticle

Fostering Amenity Criteria for the Implementation of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems in Public Spaces: A Novel Decision Methodological Framework

by Claudia Rocio Suarez Castillo, Luis A. Sañudo-Fontaneda, Jorge Roces-García and Juan P. Rodríguez

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 901; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16020901 - 15 Jan 2026

Viewed by 678

Abstract

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDSs) are essential for stormwater management in urban areas, with varying hydrological, social, ecological, and economic benefits. Nevertheless, choosing the SUDS most appropriate for public spaces poses a challenge when balancing details/specifications against community decisions, primarily social implications and perceptions. Building on the SUDS design pillar of the amenity, this study outlines a three-phase methodological framework for selecting SUDS based on social facilitation. The first phase introduces the application of the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Classificatory Expectation–Maximization (CEM) techniques by modeling complex social interdependencies to find critical components related to urban planning. A Likert scale survey was also conducted with 440 urban dwellers in Tunja (Colombia), which identified three dimensions: Residential Satisfaction (RS), Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change (RACC), and Community Participation (CP). In the second phase, the factors identified above were transformed into eight operational criteria, which were weighted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with the collaboration of 35 international experts in SUDS planning and implementation. In the third phase, these weighted criteria were used to evaluate and classify 13 types of SUDSs based on the experts’ assessments of their sub-criteria. The results deliver a clear message: cities must concentrate on solutions that will guarantee that water is managed to the best of their ability, not just safely, and that also enhance climate resilience, energy efficiency, and the ways in which public space is used. Among those options considered, infiltration ponds, green roofs, rain gardens, wetlands, and the like were the best-performing options, providing real and concrete uses in promoting a more resilient and sustainable urban water system. The methodology was also used in a real case in Tunja, Colombia. In its results, this approach proved not only pragmatic but also useful for all concerned, showing that the socio-cultural dimensions can be truly integrated into planning SUDSs and ensuring success. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilient Cities in the Context of Climate Change)

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18 pages, 5097 KB

Open AccessArticle

Planning Resilient Cities: A Methodological Framework for the Integration of Nature-Based Solutions

by María I. Rodríguez-Rojas, Begoña Moreno Escobar, Germán Martínez Montes and Maddi Garmendia Antín

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(23), 12378; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152312378 - 21 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 917

Abstract

Climate change arguably constitutes the most significant environmental challenge of our time, making the enhancement of urban resilience a global priority. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have emerged as effective instruments to mitigate some of its impacts, particularly by reducing flood risk and moderating urban temperatures. However, their implementation is often reactive, focusing on existing problems rather than anticipating future ones. This underscores the need for robust methodological frameworks that enable the proactive integration of NbS within urban planning processes. This study proposes a spatial planning methodology supported by Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which, through the application of opportunity, priority, and feasibility criteria, identifies optimal areas for NbS integration, determines appropriate typologies, and establishes levels of intervention urgency. Although the methodology has been developed for the city of Granada, its structure allows for replication in other urban contexts. The findings reveal that one-third of Granada’s urban area is suitable for NbS implementation, with approximately 7% exhibiting a high or very high risk of surface runoff accumulation. The proposed tool has the potential to strengthen urban resilience and enhance citizens’ quality of life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilient Cities in the Context of Climate Change)

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27 pages, 10653 KB

Open AccessArticle

Intensified Rainfall, Growing Floods: Projecting Urban Drainage Challenges in South-Central China Under Climate Change Scenarios

by Zhengduo Bao, Yuxuan Wu, Weining He, Nian She and Zhenjun Li

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(21), 11577; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111577 - 29 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2274

Abstract

Global climate change is intensifying extreme rainfall, exacerbating urban flood risks, and undermining the effectiveness of urban stormwater drainage systems (USDS) designed under stationary climate assumptions. While prior studies have identified general trends of increasing flood risk under climate change, they lack actionable connections between climate projections and practical flood risk assessment. Specifically, quantifiable forecasts of extreme rainfall for defined return periods and integrated frameworks linking climate modeling to hydrological simulation at the watershed scale. This study addresses these gaps by developing an integrated framework to assess USDS resilience under future climate scenarios, demonstrated through a case study in Changsha City, China. The framework combines dynamic downscaling of the MRI-CGCM3 global climate model using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to generate high-resolution precipitation data, non-stationary frequency analysis via the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution to project future rainfall intensities (for 2–200-year return periods in the 2040s and 2060s), and a 1D-2D coupled urban flood model built in InfoWorks ICM to evaluate flood risk. Key findings reveal substantial intensification of extreme rainfall, particularly for long-term period events, with the 24 h rainfall depth for 200-year events projected to increase by 32% by the 2060s. Flood simulations show significant escalation in risk: for 100-year events, an area with ponding depth > 500 mm grows from 1.38% (2020s) to 1.62%, (2060s), and the 300–500 mm ponding zone expands by 21%, with long-return-period events (≥20 years) driving most future risk increases. These results directly demonstrate the inadequacy of stationary design approaches for USDS, which carries substantial applied significance for policymakers and stakeholders. Specifically, it underscores the urgent need for these key actors to update engineering standards by adopting non-stationary intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves and integrate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) into formal flood management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilient Cities in the Context of Climate Change)

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Review

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18 pages, 1571 KB

Open AccessReview

Working from Home and Indoor Environmental Quality: A Scoping Review

by Miguel Ángel Navas-Martín, Virginia Jiménez-Planet and Teresa Cuerdo-Vilches

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010250 - 26 Dec 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1059

Abstract

The accelerated expansion of telework, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, has transformed global work dynamics. Despite this, limited research exists on the implications of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) on home workspaces. Factors like thermal comfort, lighting, air quality, and noise significantly influence the well-being, productivity, and health of teleworkers. Home spaces are often not designed to meet the environmental quality standards of traditional offices, altering indoor conditions. This scoping review investigates the IEQ–telework relationship, analyzing 41 studies from 18 countries. Findings show that elevated noise levels and insufficient lighting increase stress and fatigue, while inadequate air quality reduces cognitive performance and creativity. Conversely, access to natural light, pleasant views, and thermal comfort improves overall satisfaction and productivity. The study identifies a fragmented and poorly connected research network, with few active global groups studying IEQ in home workspaces. These results underscore the need for interdisciplinary research to address the societal and environmental challenges of teleworking and develop equitable, healthy remote environments. Future studies must consider cultural diversity and underrepresented regions to bridge existing knowledge gaps. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilient Cities in the Context of Climate Change)

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