During the second year of SCORE, the coastal living labs (CCLLs) have started to explore the concepts of co-creation and co-design and apply illustrative tools and methods. Four frontrunner CCLLs have identified and assessed ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA) strategies using multiple criteria analysis (MCA), a tool used for prioritizing measures in a participatory way. In this article, we look at the outcomes of the four workshops.
EBA – also referred to as nature-based solutions or NBS - refers to an integrative approach focused on sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems to provide services that support adaptation to climate change along with social, economic, and cultural co-benefits for local communities.
Oarsoaldea, Basque Country, Spain
Kicking off in Oarsoaldea, in the Basque Country, Spain, the CCLL, together with relevant local stakeholders, discussed possible EBAs and financial resilience strategies suitable for the region. The workshops were conducted by Oarsoaldea Garapen Agentzia with the support of project partners IHS, NAIDER, ERINN Innovation, and Red Risk. From IHS, Elena Marie Enseñado, Laura Quadros Aniche, and Robert Martinez Varderi (former intern) supported the CCLL.
Through an MCA participatory assessment, they found that open green spaces, tree planting, and river restoration are interesting options for Oarsoaldea to address coastal and river flooding. The stakeholders analysed criteria such as risk reduction perception, recreation and social cohesion opportunities, human health improvement, maintenance and increase of biodiversity, air and water quality improvement, and job creation.
Oarsoaldea CCLL aims to become an orchestrator in ecosystem-based solutions and coastal adaptation at a regional level through the enhanced engagement of key stakeholders and citizens' participation. To reach this vision, they also brainstormed on the CCLL sustainability and communication plans and agreed on the next steps to develop a regional climate action strategy.
Piran, Slovenia
The second stop is the CCLL in Piran, Slovenia. This CCLL aims to become a pioneer in Slovenia in co-creating innovative solutions by empowering the citizens and stakeholders to collaborate in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Together with key stakeholders in the city, the CCLL led by ZRS – with support from Elena Marie Enseñado from IHS, has conducted a workshop to identify and assess key EBA or NBS in the city to address key climate change hazards, such as flooding and drought. Considering the local context, planting trees, historic wells and reservoirs, and bioswales/rain gardens have been identified as possible solutions that not only reduce disaster risk and heat stress but also improve public health, preservation and use of cultural heritage, improve water availability and air quality, and reduce public and private costs for implementation.
What are the next immediate steps? The team will further discuss with specific stakeholders before working on the actual piloting and implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation solutions. Further, the CCLL will also work on improving the collaboration with the local community in Piran on the existing early warning system to improve efficiency.
Sligo, Ireland
Led by ATU, the workshops generated a list of EBA or NBS from afforestation, peatland restoration, wetlands to rainwater parks, dune management, green roofs and shellfish and seaweed aquaculture. In Sligo, these criteria include perception of flood risk reduction, increased recreational opportunities, maintaining and enhancing biodiversity, carbon storage and sequestration, improved water quality, and job opportunities.
In Sligo, the CCLL team further brainstormed strategies for the co-creation phase of SCORE. The CCLL is keen to add to Sligo’s County Council Climate Action Plan, contributing to EBAs and long-term planning. The CCLL team aims to join citizen group meetings and host workshops on citizen science in the coming months. With IHS through Laura Quadros Aniche and ERINN, the team have had great discussions on the CCLL sustainability and communication plans.
Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
In Vilanova i la Geltrú, representatives from the academy, industry, citizens, and government met to prioritise EBA to address flooding problems caused by overflows of a temporary river stream named ‘Torrent de la Piera’. This CCLL intends to consider the MCA results in the decision process of the EBA to be implemented in this municipality with the SCORE budget.
Led by ENT, stakeholders actively participated in proposing additional EBA to address this problem. The EBA prioritised in the MCA were: renaturing along river stream banks; river stream-bed depth restitution and renaturing; river stream bank heightening; a combination of the former three measures; and filter strip. Participants proved to be very proactive in adapting the assessment criteria to the local context and proposed EBA. Measures proposed were assessed against the perception of flood risk reduction, conservation and improvement of biodiversity, heat stress reduction, water quality improvement, landscape aesthetic value, and carbon storage and sequestration. There was consensus in considering the combination of measures as the best option for this study area. With NAIDER, the CCLL also discussed the sustainability and communication plans.
In the following months, the CCLL will further develop financial resilience strategies and proceed with the decision of the EBA or NBS to be implemented in this municipality within the SCORE project.
Massa, Italy
In November 2023, the coastal city living lab of Massa in Italy conducted a participatory assessment workshop to prioritize ecosystem-based adaptation or EBA and facilitated a discussion on financial resilience strategies, among others. Participated by representatives from the local government, private sector, academia/research, and civil society, the coastal city living lab has explored potential EBAs in the coastal area of Massa.
The potential EBAs are infiltration ponds, riparian reforestation/riverbank rehabilitation, floodplain enlargement/ restoration, filter strips, bioswale, and high-water channels. These have been assessed through different criteria, such as flood risk reduction, provision of recreation opportunities, biodiversity conservation, carbon emissions reduction, water quality enhancement, employment generation, and human health improvement.
