Handbook on Planning and Climate Change Adaptation

by Patrick Brandful Cobbinah (Editor), Michael Addaney (Editor)

Overview

This timely Handbook explores how planning can be used as a mechanism, a tool and a process to sustainably manage the impacts of climate change. Conceptually grounded in the planning and climate change literature, it illustrates the different capabilities, and inadequacies, of planning in addressing climate change adaptation.

Focusing on vulnerability to climate change, planning and resilience responses and the future of climate change adaptation, the Handbook analyses multiple case studies from across the global North and South. These include adaptations to extreme heat in Tanzania, urban resilience in Zimbabwe and nature-based solutions for Australian cities. Leading experts discuss the widespread, severe and frequent impacts of the climate crisis, such as flood and drought events, hurricanes, heatwaves and bush fires. They demonstrate the capacity of planning to deliver climate change actions, as well as how planning education is responding to these challenges.

Students and scholars of urban, regional and environmental planning will greatly benefit from this illuminating Handbook. It is also a vital resource for academics in related fields such as human geography, development studies and urban studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781803926919
Publisher:	Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date:	08/10/2025
Series:	Research Handbooks in Planning series
Pages:	394
Product dimensions:	6.62(w) x 9.62(h) x (d)

About the Author

Edited by Patrick Brandful Cobbinah, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, The University of Melbourne, Australia and Michael Addaney, Department of Land Management, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Ghana

Table of Contents

Contents
1 Introduction to the Research Handbook on Planning and Climate Change
Adaptation 1
Michael Addaney and Patrick Brandful Cobbinah
PART I CLIMATE CHANGE, IMPACTS, VULNERABILITY AND
ADAPTATION
2 Climate vulnerability of the urban poor in informal settlements 12
Mohammad Arifuzzaman
3 Sea level rise and climate change adaptation in coastal communities 50
Shine Francis Gbedemah, Louis Kusi Frimpong, Stephen Leonard
Mensah and Godwin Kosi Amenyogbe
4 Climate change and adaptation to extreme heat in the Middle East and
North Africa 68
Samuel Nana Safo Kantanka, Michael Addaney, Rachel Yeboah
Nketiah, Seth Opoku Mensah and Abdulaziz Ibrahim Almulhim
5 Adaptation to extreme heat in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 85
Francis Dakyaga, Yeluma Mary Ntali and Paul Bata Domanban
6 Climate change adaptation and transitional challenges in Zimbabwean
cities 103
Tirivanhu Muhwati and Patience Sibanda
7 Urban resilience and climate adaptation in countries of the Gulf
Cooperation Council 121
Abdulaziz Ibrahim Almulhim and Patrick Brandful Cobbinah
8 Climate change and environmental health in the mining sector 139
Bernard Kengni
PART II PLANNING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION
9 Climate change adaptation policies and disparities in informal urban
settlements 157
Natal Buthelezi, Abraham Matamanda and Verna Nel
10 Climate change, sea level rises and planning responses in coastal
communities 181
Prosper Tornyeviadzi and Michael Osei Asibey
11 Viability of managed retreat as climate change adaptation planning:
experiences from Aotearoa New Zealand 194
Jonty Mark Wispinski and Ashraful Alam
12 Climate change and regulatory framework for planning for energy
resilience in South Africa 213
Angwe Rachel Lekunze
13 Planning nature-based solutions for cooler Australian cities 228
Judy Bush
14 Climate change adaptation planning in the Pacific Island countries:
problematizing locally-based knowledge and “community” 246
Naohiro Nakamura and Yoko Kanemasu
15 Climate change, urban resilience and urban agriculture programmes in
Zimbabwe 262
Thabo Ndlovu, Alice Ncube and Sipho Felix Mamba
16 Contribution of indigenous knowledge systems and practices to agri-food
production in a changing climate 274
Enock Akwasi Kosoe, Michael Addaney, Seth Opoku, Mensah and
Issaka Kanton Osumanu
PART III TOWARDS CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLANNING FUTURES
17 Planning education for climate change management in African cities 288
Michael Osei Asibey and Patrick Brandful Cobbinah
18 Climate change adaptation in the post-COVID world 306
Sipho Felix Mamba and Alice Ncube
19 Transformative climate adaptation in the Global South: pathways for
inclusive learning and participation 320
Olawale F. Olaniyan and Charlotte Kabaseke
20 Towards climate financing in Global South cities: reflections on COP27
outcomes on subnational adaptation action 336
Enoch Akwasi Kosoe and Patrick Brandful Cobbinah
21 Harnessing indigenous practices for enhanced climate action with
reflections on letsema in South Africa 354
Aubrey Manthwa and Felix Dube

Editorial Reviews

‘The Handbook on Planning and Climate Change Adaptation is a must-read — especially for urban practitioners interested in understanding the current complexities around climate adaptation. It presents a nuanced perspective, masterfully weaving together key issues with engaging, evidence-based cases across the globe. The result is a deeply informed and thought-provoking exploration of climate adaptation's multifaceted dimensions. The authors simply left no stone unturned.’

Godwin Arku

‘Planning for climate change adaptation in vulnerable areas is one of the grand challenges for public policy worldwide. This book explores how climate change adaptation and planning have become pivotal for sustainable thinking and action across all regions. Rich in detail and insights, this thoughtful Handbook features critical case studies from both the Global South and Global North. It is essential reading for scholars, practitioners, and students in planning, urban studies, and related fields.’

Richard Grant