Guidelines for climate-oriented municipalities in Bavaria Recommendations for action from the project 'Climate Protection and Green Infrastructure in the City' at the Centre for Urban Nature and Climate Adaptation

Cities are particularly affected by the impacts of climate change due to densification, sealing and displacement of vegetation. By including green infrastructure in the planning of the sustainable and climate-resilient city of the future, the ecosystem services of urban nature can be used in a targeted manner for both climate adaptation and the protection of animals and plants in the city. For urban areas, it is also important to develop integrated strategies for climate protection and climate adaptation. On behalf of the Bavarian State Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection and in cooperation with municipalities in Bavaria, researchers from the Centre for Urban Nature and Climate Adaptation have produced a "Guide for Climate-Oriented Municipalities in Bavaria". The aim was to develop integrated climate protection and climate adaptation measures for Bavarian cities.

Based on building simulation and modelling of regulating ecosystem services of green infrastructure, socio-economic studies, expert interviews, workshops with municipalities and designs, the potentials of different greening measures were investigated quantitatively and qualitatively. The guide focuses on three classic settlement types in a Bavarian city - block development, row development and historic city centre. Scientifically based suggestions for measures are made with regard to climate protection through energy efficiency, climate adaptation through green infrastructure, effects on biodiversity and quality of life, as well as implementation possibilities and recommendations for measures. The guide provides an overview of the feasibility of this integrated type of planning, together with legal requirements for practical implementation. The recommendations of the guide are transferable to cities in other German states with comparable settlement types.

The results show examples of how the challenges of climate change can be met even in densely built-up urban quarters by incorporating green infrastructure. However, climate-resilient cities must not only become greener, e.g. with green facades and roofs or through additional planting of new trees, but should also develop and implement comprehensive, closely coordinated strategies and measures for climate protection and adaptation at an early stage.