ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines an interesting and manageable approach to analysis of infrastructure options, using a limited range of climate scenarios and demographic trends to consider different approaches to future investment. Only have researchers started to investigate potential impacts of climate change and adaptation strategies in urban areas—the places of much economic and social activity. The interdependencies and physical proximities of systems in urban areas, however, can have negative consequences, as well. The chapter analyze the interdependencies of the impacts of climate change and adaptation strategies upon infrastructure systems in urban areas. The "Ride It Out" (RIO) scenario in essence assumes that no adaptation to climate change occurs and that damages and benefits continue to occur with no attempts by society to minimize damages or maximize benefits. The emphasis of the CLIMB project was on the integration of climate and demographic changes upon infrastructure in Metro Boston and on examining these impacts with a common framework.
