Developing a systematic inventory of adaptation options to enhance urban climate resilience in Korea through an advanced information system

As the climate crisis intensifies, extreme weather events such as heatwaves and urban flooding are becoming increasingly frequent, posing significant risks to urban environments. This escalating threat underscores the urgent need for effective adaptation measures to mitigate climate risks and enhance urban resilience. However, selecting appropriate adaptation options remains a challenging endeavor due to the paucity of information regarding their quantitative effectiveness. To address these challenges and facilitate science-based decision-making, an information system that provides systematic and comprehensive data on a wide array of existing adaptation options is imperative. The primary objective of this research is to develop a systematic inventory of adaptation options and establish an information system tailored for use by practitioners and experts engaged in climate change adaptation. The adaptation options have been meticulously compiled through an extensive review of national and local climate crisis adaptation plans, government support programs, reports on conventional and emerging technologies, and existing literature on climate resilience. These options are subsequently categorized based on adaptation sectors, spatial levels of application, and their technological characteristics. The inventory of adaptation options is conceived as a decision-making tool primarily for policymakers and government officials, enabling them to swiftly identify feasible and effective adaptation options at national and regional levels. It empowers users to explore a comprehensive list of potential adaptation technologies tailored to their specific conditions. Additionally, it provides detailed information, including definitions and classifications, mechanisms of action, components, design and construction methods, relevant legislation and policies, anticipated benefits and monitoring guidelines, and real-world applications.

[Acknowledgement] This paper is based on the findings of the environmental technology development project for the new climate regime conducted by the Korea Environment Institute (2024-017(R)) and funded by the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (2022003570004).