Climate in mind - climate-adapted neighborhood design : a case study from Nyhamnen in Malmö, Sweden

Abstract: Cities affected by the impacts of climate change have to find new ways to adapt to the variability in weather patterns, such as heavy rainfalls and storms. The coastal city Malmö, a former industrial city, aims to be carbon neutral by 2020 and provided by 100 percent renewable energies in 2030. However, Malmö is facing many environmental and socio-economic challenges. One of these challenges is to answer the following question: How can a newly planned neighborhood be spatially designed so that it balances social, environmental, and economic needs of sustainable urban planning and thrives for a climate-adapted design through urban green spaces? This thesis presents an analysis, through the lens of the SymbioCity approach, of the new urban development project Nyhamnen in Malmö. On the basis of this conceptual framework, Nyhamnen and its potential of becoming a climate-adapted neighborhood is analyzed. To achieve sustainable urban development, an approach integrating spatial planning, water resources management, energy, landscape planning, climate change adaptation and mitigation is necessary. A case study research design and a mixed method approach are applied through 17 semi-structured interviews with urban planning professionals, field visits as well as quantitative data analysis. This thesis concludes that mitigation and adaption measures should be linked through a mix of different urban green spaces and multifunctional space use. This thesis recommends to ensure a social mix and to welcome all inhabitants in Nyhamnen to decrease social tensions. In order to achieve economic sustainability of urban green spaces, citizens should be incorporated into the planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of urban green spaces. It is recommended that Nyhamnen adopts its streets system for a car-free future and narrows the widths of the streets. Another important area is the shadow effects of buildings, and adjusting housing typology for wind and precipitation events. The historical foundation of Nyhamnen as a leading ship-yard industry needs to be taken into account. It is recommended to enhance the scope of the SymbioCity Approach through the inclusion of microclimatic parameters. This thesis advances the discussion about integrating urban climatology and urban design through a system perspective. Sectoral approaches in urban planning are not successful, and a transdisciplinary approach is needed which looks at the water, energy, soil, and climate nexus.