Cape Town faces a complex and interlinked set of climate-related challenges, including recurring droughts, flooding, intensifying heat stress and biodiversity loss. These impacts are further amplified by rapid urbanization, pollution (often due to poor infrastructure and service delivery), ageing water …

Though the problem of water risks is growing and becoming more evident, there is a lack of structured information about how these risks are managed through the certification process. While there are certain credits dedicated to managing water risks and implementing measures in regard to them in the …

The present study investigated the effectiveness of the RiverScan third mission initiative in Cebu City, Philippines. Universities are increasingly embracing a 'third mission' beyond their core functions of teaching and research—namely, mobilizing knowledge to generate impact and address societal challenges. …

The approach to homelessness in the Netherlands is currently undergoing a paradigm shift, moving away from shelter-based systems toward direct and unconditional housing, as articulated in the National Action Plan on Homelessness Eerst een Thuis. However, the regular housing supply often fails to meet …

Urban areas are increasingly facing climate-related risks that outpace the implementation of adaptation measures, often attributed to a persistent policy-to-implementation gap. Bridging this gap requires a deeper understanding of the underlying governance dynamics. This paper adopts a governance arrangement …

Flood events have become increasingly frequent and severe, presenting significant challenges to urban environments, ecosystems, and public health. This study explores the potential of Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis in enhancing flood management strategies, ecosystem health monitoring, and community …

Urbanisation and climate change intensify urban heat stress, threatening public health, urban liveability, and equity (IPCC, 2022; Ebi et al., 2021; Böcker & Thorsson, 2014). Vulnerable populations—such as those with limited mobility, low incomes, or health conditions increasing heat stress susceptibility—bear …

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 …

This Plan of Approach outlines how Work Package 1 (WP1) of the Interreg NSR Cool Cities project will support eight partner cities in the governance and planning of urban heat adaptation. It is written for urban professionals, project partners, and urban planners involved in the co-creation of adaptation …