SENSITIVITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE CITY OF KALISZ – CASE STUDY

The work aimed at assessing sensitivity to climate change of town of Kalisz to provide basis for urban adaptation strategy. The assessment was based on climatic, socio-economic and environmental data as well as on spatial management information. It was found that Kalisz are most sensitive to heat waves, floods, droughts and to air pollution. Groups of people most sensitive to heat waves (children and elderly people) which constitute almost 25% of the urban population, reside mainly in midtown areas and inhabit blocks of flats where thermal comfort parameters are disadvantageous for city dwellers. Nearly 1% of the town population lives within the reach of a 100-year flood water, while more than 4% live within the reach of a 500-year water. Floods also threat to a part of water intake installations. The town is prone to flush flooding which tend to occur here with increased frequency. The town depends on infiltrative intakes of quaternary water, it potentially makes Kalisz sensitive to droughts under condition of decreased precipitation and excessive exploitation of groundwater. The planned expansion of urban development onto windward open areas will block city ventilating channels what worsted air conditions in the city. Vital issues to be tackled include in urban strategies: upgrading of sewer system, water use rationalization, extension of blue-green infrastructure and introduction of environmentally friendly solutions in heat provision and city transportation systems