IN-PERSON Barcelona Livable Cities. Section B

Abstract

Blue and green infrastructure (BGI) can bring a range of benefits. It can help to reduce flood risk and tackle the impacts of climate change in ways which also bring social, cultural, health and wellbeing and economic benefits. However, our understanding of how to deliver BGI which brings multiple benefits is limited. In addition, despite recognition of the importance of engaging communities in the delivery of BGI, evidence shows that community engagement is not used to inform such climate adaptation measures. This risks delivering BGI which does not consider the socio-cultural values of a place and can result in inappropriate change. This brings a need to better understand how communities can become involved in the process of BGI integration to ensure such adaptations are accepted by communities. This presentation introduces the author’s method of engaging with communities, using Lego® and a range of craft items, to help them to generate ideas for BGI which bring multiple benefits for people, place and the environment. In this approach, community members create a 3D model of an area that is vulnerable to flooding and use the Lego® and craft items to develop adaptation strategies that address flood risk while also bringing social, environmental, economic and health and wellbeing benefits. This approach helps to simplify complex climate concepts, strengthen community ownership and engagement and facilitates communication and decision-making. The presentation will provide an overview of the process, the lessons learned and recommendations for future iterations of the process.