Escaping the Summer Heat – Revival Potential and Challenge of Near-Metropolitan Tourism Areas

To be economically successful in the future, alpine tourism in Austria must develop appropriate strategies to adapt to changing climate conditions. The revitalisation of the historic “Sommerfrische” represents one potential strategy for low-lying mountain destination close to urban agglomeration to benefit by the increase in urban heat days. Whether this potential exists on the demand side and how it can be tapped by the respective destinations on the supply side will be investigated throughout this project. For this purpose, a large scale survey will be conducted in Vienna. This paper focuses on the development process, which is informed by a range of quantitative and qualitative methods at the pre-survey stage. First results indicate that the potential exists, yet mainly for shorter, spontaneous trips, not necessarily labelled as “Sommerfrische”

Simplification of environmental and other impact assessments - results from an international online survey

Results from an international online survey on simplification efforts in environmental assessment (EA) and other types of impact assessments (IAs) are presented. The survey, which was conducted between July and October 2022, captured responses from 45 participants who reported on developments in a total of 26 EA/IA systems. Whilst in about three quarters of these systems simplification efforts are either currently underway or planned, in particular with regards to reducing costs and time necessary for EA/IA, opposite developments were also reported on in two-thirds of the systems, including an extension of existing requirements, such as the consideration of further aspects in EA/IA and the coverage of additional actions subject to assessment. The findings are a reflection of the increasing complexities of the contexts within which EAs/IAs are applied and highlight the need for further empirical research on simplification efforts

Perspectives from 2037—Can Environmental Impact Assessment be the Solution for an Early Consideration of Climate Change-related Impacts?

Consideration of climate change in environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a rather novel topic, which became partly mandatory through the revised EU Directive on EIA. Through a mixed-methods approach involving key-actors from EIA practice, decision making and climate adaptation planning, this study presents a transdisciplinary point of view on barriers and opportunities to tackle climate change adaptation in the environmental assessment of large-scale projects. It is based on both a retrospective ex-post evaluation of existing practices in Austria and Germany as well as prescriptive examination and development of outcomes for practice through the development of a climate-fit toolkit that supports the incorporation of climate change impacts into EIAs. The scenario analysis applied with a backcasting approach provided the opportunity to look beyond limitations related to legal compliance and partly lack of data identified by previous research. Three scenario narratives were elaborated based on nine key impact factors based on literature review, content analysis of EIA documents and interviews with EIA actors. The groups of actors carried out a prioritization of actions towards consideration of climate change in EIA. Finally, the actors were involved in co-production of an online tool-kit for Austrian and German EIA practice

Desired but Neglected: Investigating the Consideration of Alternatives in Austrian EIA and SEA Practice

Although the consideration of alternatives is seen as a core element of impact assessments (IA) such as environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and strategic environmental assessments (SEAs), there are few scientific papers that have addressed this topic in depth based on a large empirical study. These studies, as well as the last evaluation of the application of the SEA Directive by the EC, have concluded that there is need for improvement regarding the consideration of alternatives. This paper presents a large quantitative appraisal of the consideration of alternatives in current EIA and SEA practice in Austria. Through a criteria-based evaluation of 100 environmental impact statements (EIAs) and 71 environmental reports (SEA), a quantitative and partly qualitative review was undertaken. The criteria embrace the aspects of “types of alternatives”, “combination of alternatives”, “environmental relevance”, “presentation/structure”, as well as the “consideration of the zero-alternative”. The deficiencies that were identified empirically point out the need for improvement. In particular, a strong need for improvement was identified for both instruments regarding the low environmental relevance of the alternative assessment that was presented, as well as the lack of linking the zero variant to the future development of the environmental issues

Perspectives from 2037-Can environmental impact assessment be the solution for an early consideration of climate change-related impacts?

Consideration of climate change in environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a rather novel topic, which became partly mandatory through the revised EU Directive on EIA. Through a mixed-methods approach involving key-actors from EIA practice, decision making and climate adaptation planning, this study presents a transdisciplinary point of view on barriers and opportunities to tackle climate change adaptation in the environmental assessment of large-scale projects. It is based on both a retrospective ex-post evaluation of existing practices in Austria and Germany as well as prescriptive examination and development of outcomes for practice through the development of a climate-fit toolkit that supports the incorporation of climate change impacts into EIAs. The scenario analysis applied with a backcasting approach provided the opportunity to look beyond limitations related to legal compliance and partly lack of data identified by previous research. Three scenario narratives were elaborated based on nine key impact factors based on literature review, content analysis of EIA documents and interviews with EIA actors. The groups of actors carried out a prioritization of actions towards consideration of climate change in EIA. Finally, the actors were involved in co-production of an online tool-kit for Austrian and German EIA practice

Together we are Stronger – Examining Thematic and Procedural Entry Points for Multidisciplinary, Integral Spatial Planning Approaches to Confront Climate Change

Due to climate change, meteorological phenomena can occur with changing frequency and intensity. As a result of these changes, different thematic challenges arise, depending on the geographical location, topographical and climatic conditions, as well as other influencing factors such as land use. Spatial planning can contribute significantly to the prevention or mitigation of climate change-related risks through the creation of visions and integration of objectives, as well as through spatial research and the support of planning decisions (e.g. Hurlimann and March 2012). Urban and in particular metropolitan areas and their surrounding sub-urban structures are particularly prone to climate change impacts, such as increasing and longer-lasting heat waves due to its high share of impervious surfaces (Morabito et al., 2021). Consequently, they need to urgently consider resource scarcity (e.g. related to droughts) and complex planning decisions caused by multiple land use changes and diverse pressures accumulating with intensifying climate change impacts. Among others, Matthews (2012) addresses the key role of metropolitan areas in coping with climate change as a “transformative stressor”. Besides these challenges, several authors highlight the multiple co-benefits (e.g. for health, recreation and/or nature conservation) that can result from a precautionary and proactive approach to climate change adaptation in urban and sub-urban areas (Floater et al. 2016; Raymond et al. 2017). Similarly, Biesbroek et al. (2009) already discussed the potential to combine adaptation and mitigation efforts to create joint benefits in planning. To achieve these aims in adapting to climate change and creating positive synergies, horizontal cooperation across planning borders is often required. Such an approach allows for an early consideration of planning alternatives and enables planners to specifically and appropriately implement further climate proofing measures, all of which are considered essential steps in the climate proofing of spatial plans and programmes (Hurlimann and March 2012). To consider climate change along horizontal planning boundaries in an integrative manner, it can be highly relevant to consider information and planning objectives from adjacent or complementary sectoral instruments, as Matthews and Baker (2021) point out. Similarly, Widmer (2018) highlights the importance of addressing the „cross-cutting nature of adaptation” within integral planning processes. This paper, based on a large case-study in the eastern part of Austria, funded by the “Planungsgemeinschaft Ost – PGO” (Planning Association East) and involving three different federal states – each with its own legal system – discusses specific entry points and barriers that need to be overcome in order to foster an integrative, multidisciplinary consideration of climate change in and around cities including also large metropolitan areas. Based on a theoretical framework (Jiricka-Pürrer et al. 2020), which helps to approach the complex challenges of climate proofing in an integrative way across planning borders, the authors undertook a systematic review of the thematic and procedural entry points for cooperation across planning units. Nineteen expert interviews were carried out with spatial planning units, as well as departments of forestry, geology and water management across the three Federal states of Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland. They review, among other aspects, the cross-institutional communication and coordination of targets, as well as data-related challenges and measures for climate change adaptation. Additionally, opportunities to increase co-benefits for climate change mitigation, public health and nature conservation are discussed, particularly in the light of procedural entry points. The complex challenges of this case study area in Eastern Austria showcase the variety of options for integral planning and cooperation at various planning levels (federal, regional to local) and the need for multidisciplinary perspectives

Developing an Integrative Theoretical Framework for Climate Proofing Spatial Planning across Sectors, Policy Levels, and Planning Areas

Spatial planning holds a key role in preventing or mitigating the impacts of climate change on both cities and rural areas, taking a forward-thinking and holistic approach to urban and regional development. As such, spatial planning deals with challenges occurring at different scales and across sectors. The international literature points out the need for horizontal and vertical cooperation to tackle climate change impacts. This paper discusses the general challenges for climate proofing across planning levels, sectors, and areas and provides a systematic overview of challenges that would affect an integrative theoretical framework for climate proofing. Based on the latter, the study ultimately aims at presenting a novel theoretical framework for Climate Proofing specific to spatial planning involving a multi-sectoral perspective. An iterative process was used for conceptual development, based on a literature review followed by external feedback meetings with the core team of planning experts responsible for exchange across federal states and two workshops with focus groups of experts of planning departments responsible for federal, regional, and local spatial planning. Implementation and further development of the framework are planned as the second phase of this study. By specifically addressing the challenges relating to cross-regional and cross-sectoral planning, this novel framework attempts to discuss the (i) consideration of the hierarchy of climate proofing measures through enhanced vertical and horizontal cooperation as well as the (ii) long-term institutionalisation of integrative planning processes across planning borders. It attempts also to (iii) foster the consideration of co-benefits for joint adaptation purposes and climate change mitigation through encouraging multi-disciplinary perspective