Climate adaptation and resilience strategic planning

Working with policy makers and communities to help society adapt

Effective adaptation and resilience planning is critical to ensure safe and resilient communities and ecosystems. This planning also maximises the long-term value of investments in infrastructure and built assets. However, achieving this in the face of climate uncertainty is complex.

The climate crisis is bringing new and evolving challenges to the way we live, work and build. Buro Happold specialises in developing strategic, actionable strategies and implementation programmes that mitigate risk, build adaptive capacity, and increase resilience while delivering wider benefits. We take an evidence-based approach, which is underpinned by a comprehensive understanding of climate risk through our climate risk and vulnerability assessment.

To deliver strategic plans, we combine our deep technical knowledge of engineering specialisms with our expertise in sustainability consulting. For our clients, this means that they receive an adaptation and resilience strategy that is robust and truly integrated.

For clients such as the City of London Corporation, we led the way in the application of innovative and integrated approaches to adaptive pathway planning. This approach enabled short term action, phased investment and avoidance of maladaptation through a clear framework for long-term decision making based upon climate thresholds.

We have also worked as a strategic partner for organisations such as 100 Resilient Cities. We were responsible for building capacity, as well as supporting the development and implementation of strategies across Central Europe and South East Asia.

To aid the development of strategic planning, our experts have a strong track record in the delivery of community and industry engagement. We have used this to inform the development of equitable climate action plans, work with citizens to create a sustainable future for their county, and to champion industry thought leadership. Our plans lead to change and implemented interventions through robust appraisal, feasibility assessment and funding working via close dialogue with stakeholders. We have delivered climate related plans across more than 50 cities, benefitting millions of people.

Services we provide

  • Climate action planning and strategy development
  • Climate change adaptive pathway planning
  • Programme delivery and organisation
  • Design project management
  • Organisational transformation
  • Stakeholder workshops and engagement
  • Social value consulting, measurement and reporting
  • Socioeconomic analysis and strategy
  • Economic and financial appraisal and business case
  • Nature based solutions for climate change
  • Ecology and biodiversity management
  • Infrastructure and energy consulting
  • Flood risk and water resource management
  • Micro-climate analysis and intervention planning
  • Evidence base for local plans and supplementary planning guidance
  • Environmental impact assessment and planning support
  • Funding strategies and implementation planning.

Clients we work with

City authorities

Our planning, sustainability and resilience experts support governments at local and national levels to develop and implement strategies to mitigate the social, environmental and economic risks posed by climate change.

To achieve this, we combine our technical rigour and consulting expertise from our experts across the globe. This allow us to shape effective strategies, investment and implementation plans, which understand both the financial implications and economic benefits. We are adept at aligning action and building local partnerships to implement climate action. We recognise that government, communities and the private sector need to work closely to address the challenge.

We supported Kent County Council with a review of the existing evidence relating to nature-based solutions in the UK and internationally. In Lebanon, we worked with the Municipal Council of Beirut and the World Bank to develop a Comprehensive Urban Resilience Masterplan. This was an integrated, multisector strategic plan that addressed risk relating to both assets and communities.

Research and policy alliances

We support research networks, think tanks and campaigners to shape new approaches and solutions to implement climate action. This includes research and development, policy advisory, support tools and processes. We advise on how to plan, develop and implement climate resilience strategies and clean construction policies.

We have worked with C40 Cities to develop guidance and share lessons learned from initiatives across the world to help inspire cities to develop inclusive climate actions that are equitable, accessible and beneficial to all.

Similarly, the New York City Economic Development Corporation selected Buro Happold to provide strategic planning and project management services for the competition RISE: NYC – resiliency innovations for a stronger economy. Our work included the design of the competition, the development of marketing and public outreach strategy, as well as the administration of communication and evaluation processes.

Asset owners and developers

We work with developers and asset owners to understand the strategic interventions and necessary actions to protect their assets, infrastructure and buildings from increasing climate risks. From overheating to flooding, our work ensures that our built environment will operate efficiently and effectively for the benefit of future generations.

We assisted Peabody Housing Association to develop a methodology to quantify and manage the risk of overheating, flood risk and water stress across its stock of 33,000 properties in London.

Our consultants also delivered the Wadi Hanifah Flood Management Plan in Riyadh, undertaking a detailed site appraisal in order to develop a rainfall and flood monitoring system. This system reduced the risk to life and property posed by flooding in the region, whilst also providing recreational space for the community.

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Project highlights

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