Modelling risks due to urban transformation and climate change scenarios

Climate change scenarios for Rotterdam show multiple future challenges. With rising temperatures, heat stress due to the urban heat island effect is increasing. With rising sea levels, the influx of saltwater into the river delta around Rotterdam is increasing. Peak weather events will lead to challenges for water storage both in the city of Rotterdam and its surrounding areas close to the Rhine and Meuse rivers. Urban transformation and other adaptation measures to overcome these challenges might affect mosquito, rodent, and bird populations.

The Rotterdam case study site(s) are located in South-Holland in the municipality of Rotterdam, including in the city of Rotterdam. Potential suitable study site(s) within this region are being mapped by exploring plans for climate adaptation measures, available historical data, and site characteristics such as land use (green and blue areas), animal populations, and human density. Both climate adaptation measures focused at the city/neighborhood level as well as measures to create water storage areas in the rural environment around the city are being explored as potential study sites.