Developing an Indicator-Based Approach to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Urban Regeneration for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

To convert today’s cities into low-carbon and climate resilient urban environments we must take actions over time to reshape urban form, modify the land-use structure, rehabilitate and retrofit existing buildings, renew infrastructure systems, and improve the provision of key urban services. Urban regeneration policy and practices can be an opportunity to take actions to make cities more climate-friendly and less vulnerable. However, the potential role of urban regeneration is not sufficiently evaluated and understood. Considering this assumption, this research aims to evaluate the role of urban regeneration in developing climate resilient and low-carbon urban environments. To this end, an indicator framework has been developed and applied to two specific case study areas in Japan, namely Yokohama Minato Mirai 21 and Kanazawa City. Minato Mirai 21 is a symbolic waterfront redevelopment project in the central district of Yokohama city. On the other hand, Kanazawa city is known for its regeneration attempts to achieve compact urban form and revitalize its downtown through a “city centre revitalization plan”. The paper comprises four major sections. In the first section, the conceptual framework of the research is explained through a discussion on the linkages between urban development (with a special emphasis on urban regeneration) and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The second section explains the methodology of the research and describes the steps of indicator development. Based on the findings of case studies, the third section presents the extent of contributions of each regeneration process to develop climate-friendly urban environments. The fourth section indicates and discusses the key factors, which not only enhanced but also hindered the potential contributions of each regeneration process. The findings of this research are assumed to provide significant implications for policy-making to strengthen the relationships between urban development and climate change