Samenvatting

Public squares are vital components of urban environments, serving as spaces for recreation, social interaction, play, and exercise. However, in densely populated, low-income neighborhoods with limited green spaces, these squares often lack adaptive capacity, limiting their functionality during extreme weather events such as heavy rain or heatwaves. Currently, there are no tools available to assess or quantify the climate adaptation levels of public squares, making it challenging to evaluate their preparedness for climate change.
This study introduces a novel, hands-on method to quantify the climate adaptation of public squares. Initially, the most significant climate factors were identified, and for each factor, a quantifiable characteristic was determined. These characteristics were then translated into measurable parameters. Required information for each parameter, such as types of ground cover and green infrastructure present, was established. Field visits were conducted to assess the existing elements in each square.