ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on climate change mitigation—the reduction of greenhouse gases at the city and building level. It introduces basic concepts of risk and resilience, mapping how climate impacts differentially affect regions and populations. The book turns to built-form responses to the hazards of climate change, and in particular green infrastructure and planning approaches. It discusses overall urban form, demonstrating how the shape of a city region can help or hinder its adaptation to climate change. The book looks at the site scale, but investigates responses to rising sea levels and coastal risks. Regional level networks of green and open space, along with transportation routes, structure the overall form of the city. The book concludes with an argument for the role of professionals in addressing climate change at the local level.
