As climate change intensifies, cities urgently need to fortify their resilience against its multifaceted impacts. This paper examines the critical role of strategic planning and adaptation in this context, with a focus on the integration of innovative blue-green infrastructure—a paradigm shift essential for sustainable urban development. The paper underscores the necessity of a cross-disciplinary approach, fostering collaboration among diverse experts to address the complexities of climate change adaptation. By analyzing strategies employed in major European cities, this study highlights the existing gap between strategic planning and the implementation of blue-green infrastructure. These disparities must be addressed to avoid ineffective use of public resources and to achieve meaningful impact. Using Prague as a case study, the paper illustrates how insufficient motivation in city governance can create weak points in strategic planning, affecting spatial planning, design, and public use. This can significantly slow down the city’s adaptation to climate change. The research aims to initiate a dialogue on the transformative potential of blue-green infrastructure, emphasizing its role in enhancing the livability and resilience of urban environments. By exploring effective strategies from prominent European cities, we offer insights into how this paradigm can be seamlessly integrated into urban planning and retrofitting processes. It is welcome that the conference participants engage in discussions that will contribute to the evolution of sustainable urban practices, ensuring the well-being and prosperity of our cities in a changing climate.
Michaela Koucka, a Social Ecology Master’s degree holder with 15 years of sustainable development experience in Prague, specializes in urban settings and strategic planning. As the “Water Matters” educational project director, she influences Czech local governance with environmentally conscious practices. Currently pursuing a post-graduate Urban Planning program at The Czech Technical University, her research delves into blue-green infrastructure’s role in building cities amid climate change.