Abstract
The city of Hamburg is characterized by its waterfronts. Against this background
the discussion about climate change has caused new challenges for Hamburg’s
urban development. On the one hand sea-level rise and storm surges endanger
potential settlement sites. On the other hand, areas that are situated below sea-level have become attractive sites for new housing development. These two conflicting aspects underline the importance of adaptation strategies to climate change for the city’s future. As well as traditional measures such as raising the height of dikes or building additional dike lines, new concepts are required such as floating or technically adapted homes. For the implementation of adaptation measures the resident population’s risk perception and willingness to take preventative measures is a key framework condition. This article deals with risk perception in urban development against the background of climate change. Based on surveys in the quarter of Wilhelmsburg, a large island situated within the river Elbe, the inhabitants’ risk perception and their willingness to take preventative action are analyzed. The results illustrate how climate change adaptation could be integrated into urban development. The results can also be transferred to comparable waterfront cities.
the discussion about climate change has caused new challenges for Hamburg’s
urban development. On the one hand sea-level rise and storm surges endanger
potential settlement sites. On the other hand, areas that are situated below sea-level have become attractive sites for new housing development. These two conflicting aspects underline the importance of adaptation strategies to climate change for the city’s future. As well as traditional measures such as raising the height of dikes or building additional dike lines, new concepts are required such as floating or technically adapted homes. For the implementation of adaptation measures the resident population’s risk perception and willingness to take preventative measures is a key framework condition. This article deals with risk perception in urban development against the background of climate change. Based on surveys in the quarter of Wilhelmsburg, a large island situated within the river Elbe, the inhabitants’ risk perception and their willingness to take preventative action are analyzed. The results illustrate how climate change adaptation could be integrated into urban development. The results can also be transferred to comparable waterfront cities.
| Original language | German |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 267–291 |
| Journal | Berichte zur Deutschen Landeskunde |
| Volume | 85 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |
