Mapping vulnerability to climate change for spatial planning in the region of Stuttgart

Abstract

The Stuttgart region in southwest Germany already experiences heat stress and extreme precipitation events. According to German law, spatial planning at the municipal and regional levels has an important role in adapting to such events. However, this is a challenge to achieve alongside other demands on land use. One important resource to support adaptive planning is spatial risk analyses, which can provide justification for prioritising adaptation and information about where and how to prioritise different measures. Such maps should not just consider information on the nature of the hazards but also on the vulnerability of people and exposed areas. While in theory this has been recognised and vulnerability analysis methods have been developed, there is a significant gap in linking this research to planning practice in the German context. In this paper, we use a GIS-based method for mapping quantitative indicators of social vulnerability to heat and pluvial flooding for the region of Stuttgart. We share insights from the process of developing these maps based on the needs of spatial planning and discuss how such information can be used in planning practice. We propose solutions regarding issues such as spatial resolution, indicator selection, aggregation, and complexity; report initial feedback from planners; and make recommendations for further bridging the gap between risk and vulnerability research and planning practice.