Uccrn Education List of Contents
Collaborative Climate Resilience Planning in Granollers
During an intensive academic workshop, students from the University of Naples Federico II and the International University of Catalonia (UIC) collaborated on developing climate-resilient urban strategies for Granollers, Catalonia. While UIC students focused on spatial justice, net-zero development and urban planning guidelines, the Naples cohort addressed climate adaptation and mitigation strategies through simulations and data analysis, particularly for the La Bòbila and Palau Nord districts.
Methodological Framework for Urban Climate Resilience
The workshop applied the UCCRN_edu Urban Design Climate Workshop (UDCW) methodology, a structured, data-driven process combining urban systems analysis, climate and microclimate assessment, and simulation tools. The three-phase approach included:
- Context Analysis – understanding vulnerabilities, systems, and risks through climate projections and hazard mapping;
- Planning and Design – creating multi-scale prototypes and localized strategies;
- Post-Intervention Evaluation – assessing interventions for environmental, social, and economic co-benefits.
Urban Climate Systems and Tools
The Urban Climate Model (UCM) and GIS-based tools were central in identifying high-risk zones and evaluating design solutions. Tools such as ENVI-MET, SOLWEIG, and Grasshopper-based 3D configurators simulated impacts of urban design on heat, flooding, and energy use. The approach emphasized integrating green/blue infrastructure, compact urban forms, and building technologies to reduce emissions and enhance climate resilience across regional, city, neighborhood, and building scales.
Granollers Case Study: Challenges and Priorities
Granollers faces significant climate risks due to its inland location, dense urban core and limited cooling from coastal winds. Projections under the RCP8.5 scenario indicate increased heat stress, prolonged droughts and intensified rainfall events. Climate maps and indices show a rising number of heatwave days and declining precipitation patterns. Key vulnerabilities include heat exposure, water scarcity, and flash flooding. The city’s response—guided by its SECAP plan—must prioritize adaptive infrastructure, sustainable water management, and urban greening to improve resilience.
