Climate Adaptation Labs
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SMARTER is working closely with local communities and municipalities to co-design and tailor climate adaptation solutions to different social, economic and ecological needs.
Where we work
Where we work
The climate crisis is global, but different communities face their own distinct climate and socio-economic challenges.
To ensure our solutions for systemic adaptation consider these local challenges, we’ve set up the SMARTER Climate Adaptation Labs - a network of nine European regions and cities spread across six different countries.
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Explore our Climate Adaptation Labs
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Finland
In the Finnish cities of Tampere and Kuopio, climate risks are worsening as urban density increases. This particularly impacts vulnerable groups, including children, elderly people and low-income residents. Here, our Climate Adaptation Lab is developing nature-based solutions for daycare centre playgrounds that will boost both climate resilience and community wellbeing.
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Portugal
Our Portugal Climate Adaptation Lab is developing climate adaptation solutions for the Lisbon Metropolitan Area – a highly urbanised region made up of 18 municipalities, including the country’s capital Lisbon. With a focus on urban waterfronts, the Lab is testing and developing retreat and greening strategies to build climate resilience.
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Belgium
Our Belgium Climate Adaptation Lab is based in the north of the country, in the coastal region of Flanders. By implementing both technical and nature-based solutions, the Lab will improve water retention and relieve heat stress on both a local level in the city of Ostend, and the regional level across Flanders.
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The Netherlands
The neighbouring coastal provinces of Fryslân and North Holland, in the north of the Netherlands, are becoming more susceptible to flooding, drought and sea level rise. To address these challenges, the Climate Adaptation Lab will explore solutions to water safety and fresh water availability, particularly in the context of conflicting socio-economic interests from proposed extensions to ports, and will also integrate local and short-term needs with national and international legislation for long-term adaptation strategies.
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Poland
Our Poland Climate Adaptation Lab is based in the city of Gdansk – Poland’s maritime capital and one of the largest ports on the Baltic coast. The city is increasingly at risk from torrential rain, flash flooding and sea level rise, which impacts both its citizens and key economic sectors. To adapt to these risks, the Lab is enhancing rainwater management and flood safety through nature-based solutions and improved water retention reservoirs.
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Greece
The region of Western Greece is home to Patras, the country’s third largest city, and has nearly 650,000 inhabitants. The region has a diverse economy centred around the transport, agriculture and tourism sectors. However, this is increasingly threatened by coastal erosion, as well as heat and water stress. To tackle these challenges, our Greece Climate Adaptation Lab is participating in a pilot study to understand climate change scenarios and implement nature-based solutions to increase climate resilience.