Adaptation Action Plan: Northern Boulevard and River project & Magnet project area
3. Development of an action plan summarising all potential adaptation options for the different
fields and sectors.
Seven case study areas were selected for this plan, three of which are highlighted as examples of good practice:
Number 5, Tirana River project:
Ongoing project for the restoration of the Tirana River aiming at flood risk mitigation, improvement of the banks, and new recreation and housing areas. Climate change adaptation actions in Tirana mainly address informal settlements along the
Tirana River; flood risks; waste and river pollution problems. The most important development project in Tirana is the restoration of the Tirana River and its flood plain. There is a high potential for upgrading the situation, and now there are ongoing redevelopment activities for the river, housing and land use.
Number 6, Northern Boulevard project : Ongoing project for the improvement and development of the northern area of Tirana city centre up to the Tirana River in the north (see figure 2). Also, the connections of the city centre will be improved and a new Boulevard, housing areas, business areas and a green corridor are being developed.
Number 7, Magnet project area:
Ongoing development of a new quarter in the west of Tirana city centre. The whole block is subject to new investment, housing, businesses, car parks and green space. The focus is on sustainable, climate friendly solutions and adapted design and constructions, involving experience of climate-oriented urban development.
ON-GOING
Figure 1. Tirana River project
Documents
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access): Climate Change Adaptation Actions in Tirana. JAMARBER MALLTEZI (Department of Agroenvironment and Ecology, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania), ROMEO HANXHARI (Municipality of Tirana, Tirana, Albania), GAVROSH ZELA (Research and technological organization (RTO) based in Spain), SULEJMAN SULÇE (Research and technological organization (RTO) based in Spain)
http://ajas.ubt.edu.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/5_MALLTEZI-pp-102-111.pdf Sustainable City Platform
https://sustainablecities.eu/transformative-actions-database/?c=search&action_id=eu2ii6rw
© IMAGE SOURCE: https://www.one-works.com/our-works/tirana-northern-boulevard-river-project-masterplan
CRITERIA
1. NbS effectively address societal challenges
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
1.1 The most pressing societal challenges for rights holders and beneficiaries are prioritised
Climate change and Disaster risk management are assessed not only as a reaction to flooding but also in terms of heat waves.
Also, Human health (in terms of social development and thermal stress) and Economic development are challenges that are relevant in the project.
1.2 The societal challenges
addressed are clearly understood and documented
The Adaptation Action Plan of Tirana is the framework and climate change is the key driver, including disaster risk management (floods, high temperatures and heat waves and poor air circulation). Nevertheless, other societal challenges, like human health and socio-economic development, are also understood and documented.
The Tirana Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan indicates that the main challenges in Tirana are:
Urban sprawl: The structural form of the city and the distribution and density of land uses have a profound effect on the overall efficiency and performance of the city’s physical and community infrastructure systems. While Tirana’s centre has the vibrancy of a dense cosmopolitan city, towards the edges of the city we find the legacy of recent periods of uncontrolled growth and informal settlements. If left uncontrolled, the city’s growth could take the form of continuing sprawl, leading to rising infrastructure costs, longer commuting times, destruction of the natural environment and productive agricultural areas, and overall rising energy and transport fuel consumption.
Open green space: The Territorial Urban Plan of Tirana indicates that the ratio of open green space per 100,000 inhabitants is only 4.6 ha. This is a low value, and inhabitants have complained about the lack of green areas within their neighbourhoods, indicating this is a local issue for many city areas.
Pollution of water bodies: The Tirana River in the north and the Lana River in the south are the two main receiving points for city sewage and drainage.
However, there is no water treatment plant in Tirana […]. For comparison, the water quality recorded is more than 50% worse than the effluent quality of a typical wastewater treatment plant in Europe.
Biodiversity: Biodiversity quality data is limited for Tirana for both terrestrial and aquatic ecology. Anecdotal evidence indicates that Tirana’s biodiversity quality is poor.
1.3 Human well-being outcomes arising from the NbS are identified, benchmarked and periodically assessed
No evidence found during the evaluation.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Societal challenges
Climate change / Disaster risk / Human health / Economic and social development
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Design at scale
City-wide / District / Urban acupuncture CRITERIA
2. Design of NbS is informed by scale
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
2.1 Design of NbS recognises and responds to the interactions between the economy, society and ecosystems
The initiative (and the highlighted projects) considered provides an integrated vision of the following aspects:
Economy: development and new investments in business areas, adapted design and constructions;
Society: new recreation and housing areas;
Ecosystems: restoration of the Tirana River banks and flood plains, reduction of waste and river pollution problems, development of a green corridor, green areas, and promotion of climate friendly designs.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Biodiversity net-gain
CRITERIA
3. NbS result in net gain to biodiversity and ecosystem integrity
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
3.1 NbS actions directly respond to evidence-based assessment of the current state of the ecosystem and prevailing drivers of degradation and loss
The actions respond to evidence-based assessment of the past (since the early 20th century) and current state of the weather (mainly temperatures and precipitation) in Tirana, while considering climate change scenarios too.
The Adaptation Action Plan refers to both the results of the vulnerability assessment and the ongoing projects of the municipality. The focus was on improving the existing processes in the light of CCA needs, rather than on developing new processes.
3.2 Clear and measurable biodiversity conservation outcomes are identified, benchmarked and periodically assessed
No evidence found during the evaluation.
3.3 Monitoring includes periodic assessments of unintended adverse consequences for nature arising from the NbS
The implementation and monitoring of CCA actions are indicated in chapter 6 of the Tirana CCA Action Plan:
The purpose of monitoring the implementation of the CCA action plan is to understand whether the project or activity delivers the planned benefits and to be able to adjust the measures and activities according to potentially changing conditions and new knowledge. Furthermore, the findings from the monitoring process should be reflected in a long-term adaptation strategy and in new adaptation measures as well as future planning.
Monitoring Step 3: Assessment criteria and checks have been established to measure a wide range of objectives. These are specific for different situations, dependent not only on the local natural and technical background but also on the experts and decision makers in charge. To assess the degree to which these objectives have been attained, the working group might use structured goals.
3.4 Opportunities to enhance ecosystem integrity and connectivity are identified and incorporated into the NbS strategy
NbS actions are intended to improve the integration and connectivity of different areas. So, some examples of best practice in the Tirana Northern Boulevard and River Project are green corridors in coordination with housing and business areas (N–S & E–W)
2.2 Design of NbS is integrated with other complementary interventions and seeks synergies across sectors
Tirana Municipality cooperated with the GIZ-funded Climate Change Adaptation Project in order to integrate climate change adaptation (CCA) into their management and planning processes within the different sectors of the city administration and into cross-cutting activities like spatial planning and strategic project development.
2.3 Design of NbS incorporates risk identification and risk management beyond the intervention site
One of the pillars of the Tirana Adaptation Action Plan is focused on risk management, mainly of extreme weather events (like heat waves or heavy precipitation), and vulnerability analysis.
Also, future risks and opportunities are assessed: climate change might increase future risks, but also may offer future opportunities. The assessment builds on the identified current vulnerability (see chapter 4.1) and the projected climate change trends (see chapter 3.3).
Finally, a risk analysis in carried out for specific examples: Example 2: Water courses – flood risk in spatial planning.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Economic feasibility
CRITERIA
4. NbS are economically viable
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
4.1 The direct and indirect benefits and costs associated with the NbS, who pays and who benefits, are identified and documented
The improvement in the quantity and quality of green spaces and biodiversity in Tirana may provide a number of environmental, economic and social benefits.
Some of them are:
Climate change mitigation and adaptation: Green spaces may provide a range of mitigation and adaptation services, including: a) Provision of greater carbon capture and storage, thus reducing the risk of climate change; b) Protection of biodiversity in Tirana, enabling terrestrial ecosystems to remain habitable by a variety of plant and animal species; and c) Protection of Tirana’s urban and rural areas of high economic value from changing weather patterns such as increased floods and heat waves.
The improvement of green infrastructure through all Green Spaces &
Biodiversity actions will enhance the quality perceived by our citizens, thus increasing the value that they place upon green spaces in terms of: a) Recreation and outdoor leisure activities, such as children’s playgrounds in pocket parks and leisure areas along the restored lakes around Tirana; b) Improved health and well-being resulting from additional physical activity from cycling and walking along trails in green corridors and the Metrobosco, reducing health service costs;
c) Increased cohesion and empowerment of the community through community ownership, management and use of green spaces, as well as improved image of place through the attractiveness of outdoor spaces.
There is also a cost analysis for each action: see the Financial and Economic Assessment.
4.2 A cost-effectiveness study is provided to support the choice of NbS including the likely impact of any relevant regulations and subsidies
No evidence found during the evaluation.
4.3 The effectiveness of the NbS design is justified against available alternative solutions, taking into account any associated externalities
No evidence found during the evaluation.
4.4 NbS design considers a portfolio of resourcing options such as market-based, public sector, voluntary commitments and actions to support regulatory compliance
No evidence found during the evaluation.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Inclusive governance
CRITERIA
5. NbS are based on inclusive, transparent and empowering governance processes
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
5.1 A defined and fully agreed upon feedback and grievance resolution mechanism is available to all stakeholders before an NbS intervention can be initiated
The Environmental Policies and Environmental Education department has coordinated the activities in Tirana in order to receive feedback on the interventions. A working group comprising representatives of all relevant directorates and sectors carried out a vulnerability assessment and developed an action plan. The focus was on two main variables:
– The City administration approves jointly developed measures to be incorporated in the city’s planning and management processes.
– The capacities of selected representatives and decision makers (like councillors, etc.) are developed to follow up the implementation of the developed measures after setting up the action plan.
The interim results provide guidance for the political and administrative work in the city incorporating other politics and plans.
5.2 Participation is based on mutual respect and equality, regardless of gender, age or social status, and upholds the right of Indigenous Peoples to Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
The participatory approach that is presented is a top-down approach. So, based on the existing information, the citizens and other stakeholders have not been included in a horizontal participatory process.
5.3 Stakeholders who are directly and indirectly affected by the NbS have been identified and involved in all processes of the NbS intervention
The stakeholders have been organised in a working group.
5.4 Decision-making processes document and respond to the rights and interests of all participating and affected stakeholders
No evidence found during the evaluation.
5.5 Where the scale of the NbS extends beyond jurisdictional boundaries, mechanisms are established to enable joint decision making by the stakeholders in those jurisdictions affected by the NbS
No evidence found during the evaluation.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Balance trade-offs
CRITERIA
6. NbS equitably balance trade-offs between achievement of their primary goal(s) and the continued provision of multiple benefits
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
6.1 The potential costs and benefits of associated trade-offs of the NbS intervention are explicitly acknowledged and inform safeguards and any appropriate corrective actions
No evidence found during the evaluation.
6.2 The rights to, usage of and access to land and resources, along with the responsibilities of different stakeholders are acknowledged and respected
No evidence found during the evaluation.
6.3 Established safeguards are periodically reviewed to ensure that mutually agreed trade-off limits are respected and do not destabilise the entire NbS
No evidence found during the evaluation.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Adaptive management
CRITERIA
7. NbS are managed adaptively, based on evidence
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
7.1 An NbS strategy is established and used as a basis for regular monitoring and evaluation of the intervention
The implementation and monitoring of CCA actions are indicated in chapter 6 of the Tirana CCA Action Plan (See 3.3. indicator).
7.2 A monitoring and evaluation plan is developed and implemented throughout the intervention lifecycle
No evidence found during the evaluation.
7.3 A framework for iterative learning that enables adaptive management is applied throughout the intervention lifecycle
No evidence found during the evaluation.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Mainstreaming
CRITERIA
8. NbS are sustainable and mainstreamed within an appropriate jurisdictional context
INDICATORS DESCRIPTION
8.1 NbS design, implementation and lessons learnt are shared to trigger transformative change
It is explicitly mentioned that NbS allow the city administration to improve decision making and planning related to adaptation to the potential impacts of climate change:
The activities in Tirana are embedded in a wider international framework to allow an exchange of experiences, to mutually learn from others’ approaches and to raise international political awareness on the progress being made on CCA in the Western Balkans. They are part of a trilateral cooperation scheme with Belgrade and Podgorica on one hand and also aim at including Tirana’s advanced approach in the European Network “Mayors Adapt”.
8.2 NbS inform and enhance facilitating policy and regulation frameworks to support their uptake and mainstreaming
Project actions are perceived not as a “stand-alone policy”. The results are guidance for the political and administrative work in the city in terms of delivering improved urban planning and investment decisions regarding the long-term challenges of climate change.
8.3 Do relevant NbS contribute to national and global targets for human well-being, climate change, biodiversity and human rights, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and how?
No evidence found during the evaluation.
© IMAGE SOURCE: https://www.one-works.com/our-works/tirana-northern-boulevard-river-project-masterplan