Interactive geodesign tools to support regional adaptation planning

Different levels of government initiate the development of strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Climate change is affecting decision making and shaping its priorities as an additional factor in the often already complex domain of environmental governance. Spatial planning has a key role in addressing the causes and impacts of climate change. This study was the first to review 25 European regional adaptation strategies in order to explore relations between their quality and the use of geoinformation. The quality of the studies was assessed with use of the evaluation matrix from Preston et al. (2011). The results show a wide variety in the quality of the strategies, and in the type of geoinformation included in these strategies. Most of the included strategies turned out to be climate change effect and climate change impact studies, with little information on adaptation options. None of the studied strategies included the appraisal of adaptation options. For many strategies the inclusion of maps increased the quality, however high quality strategies also exist with only a few maps. The engagement of stakeholders and inclusion of decision support tools were found to increase the overall quality of strategies. The expectation is that the need to make trade-offs on where to apply which adaptation option can benefit from the use of spatial information and detailed descriptions of options. Spatial decision support tools have much potential to support the appraisal of options, as the spatial dimension of climate change can serve as an integrating factor for different sectors and multiple stakeholders in adaptation planning. The findings of this study intend to contribute to the ongoing discussion on good practices for adaptation planning, exchange of knowledge and experiences, and results of adaptation practices between countries.