Applying Ecosystem-based Adaptation approach in building climate-resilient cities

Cities are facing higher risks than other areas against climate change because of population growth and complex patterns of infrastructure and services. The effects of these changes have many consequences on health, social welfare, and human capital. In confronting these effects, today, in addition greenhouse gas mitigation measures, different adaptation approaches (human-oriented and nature-oriented) have been integrated into the urban planning. In addition, recently, urban resilience concept has been strongly linked to the adaptation of climate change. In present paper, we try to provide a conceptual framework for the integration of various factors in order to building resilient cities.  One of the new approaches reaching to the resilient city is ecosystem-based adaptation. In this approach, the function and services of various ecosystems and its necessity in creating climate-resilient cities are considered. According to studies, planning at the municipal level is a key opportunity for the integration of ecosystem-based adaptation measures. In Iran, studies on ecosystem-based adaptation and policy-making and its integration with climate change in urban management and planning have not been done sufficiently. Considering urban expansion and the climate change, ecosystem-based adaptation schemes seems to be necessary in urban development. In this regard, providing ecological databases of cities is considered essential and the first step in integrating ecosystem-based adaptation to reaching climate-resilient cities.