Cities are feeling the biggest impacts of climate change. This includes higher temperatures than they are used to as well as more instances of adverse weather. Some are even having to deal with more frequent natural disasters and problems like flooding. The situation calls for plans to manage the new conditions and prevent worse issues in the future. As one of the top architects in London, we want to look at some of the things major cities are trying.

Massive impact

The problem for cities is they have a huge impact on the environment. They are major consumers of energy and contribute more greenhouse gases than rural areas. In fact, 40% of all energy used around the world each year is in urban areas. These centres produce 70% of the gases responsible for climate change.

If that wasn’t enough, the nature of cities leads to more local heating and climate problems. This happens because there are so many materials like concrete that absorb high levels of solar heat and retain it for a long period. So, the urban centres can have a massive issue with the temperatures.

Responses

San Francisco is leading the way with their climate action plans. That isn’t really surprising though as it is a city that has a long history of weather issues and natural disasters. Their 2021 plan focuses on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, tackling hazards, and improving climate resilience.

In Southern California there have been other strategies to help the environment. One is to limit water use, particularly in terms of outdoor irrigation. The idea here is to save the massive amount of water areas use for things like watering lawns and gardens. This is necessary because the area has had major issues with drought over the years, including a period from 2011 to 2017 and another in 2020 to 2022.

Amsterdam is another city that has an interesting plan for how to tackle the climate issues. They have chosen a new economic model that aims to achieve different goals without any disadvantages for other parts of the city. The Amsterdam City Doughnut includes things like carbon sequestration, energy harvesting, and water provisioning to improve the climate. Several other cities are also looking to use a similar model.

Designing with help from architects in London

It certainly is a tricky situation for cities where they have to address energy consumption, rising temperatures, and weather problems simultaneously. The key is good designs. These need to extend to buildings, landscapes, roads, and other infrastructure.

If you want help, you can rely on us. We have some of the very best architects in London. As a result, we can put our heads together to consider the conditions and goals of every project. We can then look at how to achieve the job while also limiting the impact on the environment or providing a positive.

So, if you want to discuss anything with us, please get in touch.