Bilbao, one of the largest cities in the Basque Country, has seen heavier rainfall, warmer winters and a heightened flood risk as a result of climate change. Bilbao is addressing these risks through participation in the international research project, "˜RESIN "“ Climate Resilience Cities and Infrastructures', in which the city works with researchers to find ways to adapt to climate-related challenges.

Since the 1970s, Zorrotzaurre to the north of Bilbao had been on a continuous social and industrial decline, with only 500 people living on the peninsula at its lowest point. Today, it is the city's biggest regeneration project. This started with the re-designation of land use in the area from "˜industrial' to "˜residential' in 1995. The Zorrotzaurre Master Plan was then drawn up to open the Deusto Canal, making the Zorrotzaurre peninsula into an island. The open canal and green banks will let river water flow through, reducing the water level by one metre and significantly reducing the risk of flooding. Three storm water tanks and a new flood protection wall along both riverbanks are also planned, which will help protect riverside housing.

A study conducted by the RESIN partners from the Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) found that as a result of the new waterway the 10-year return period for expected flood events will no longer apply, resulting in a 100 percent reduction in expected costs. For the 100-year return period, the estimated damages will be reduced by €162.72 million. Excavation works are already underway and expected to be completed by spring 2017.

For more information, visit resin-cities.eu. [This article is also available in Spanish.] more   18 August 2016 Procura+ Update delivers the latest procurement newsThe SP Update, a newsletter on sustainable procurement produced by ICLEI Europe and published every four months, has been updated and re-launched as the Procura+ Update. The new-look newsletter will continue to deliver the most important procurement news from across Europe straight to subscribers' inboxes.

The update follows the revamp of the SP Platform and the launch of the updated Procura+ Network website. Both ICLEI Europe-maintained websites are interlinked: the SP Platform provides news and resources to help public procurers more easily embrace sustainable public procurement and green public procurement, while Procura+ gives procurers access to a network of more than 40 European public authorities that connect, exchange and act on sustainable and innovation procurement.

The Procura+ Update demonstrates a holistic approach to ICLEI's sustainable procurement work, with the object to make all of ICLEI Europe's sustainable procurement knowledge and resources available to the public under one heading. Subscription to the newsletter can be completed online.

To view the newsletter, visit the SP Platform.Image copyright: Image (Pixabay) more

» Publication Date: 22/08/2016

» Source: Iclei Europe

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