ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to evidence the specific characteristics of local, “from the bottom-up” initiatives, under the recognized need for cities to face the projected climatic challenges. It further argues upon a new and enhanced role of public space design, being considered as a key factor in the adaptation of urban territories when facing impending climate change and flood events in particular.
It specifically describes the potential advantages of applying flood adaptation measures in the design of public spaces, evidencing that benefits may specifically arise from the characteristics of public space itself to favor interdisciplinary design, embrace multiple purposes, promote community engagement, be supported by an extensive physical structure and system, expose and share value and promote risk diversification and communal monitoring.
Overall, this chapter introduces the argument that, through public space and by means of public space design, traditional flood management practices can be reassessed to the contemporaneity of our time.
