Adapting to Extreme Heat Events: Guidelines for Assessing Health Vulnerability

2011

This document, Adapting to Extreme Heat Events: Guidelines for Assessing Health Vulnerability (the Guidelines), addresses the need for information on considerations specific to the assessment of vulnerability to the health impacts of extreme heat events. The stakeholders and assessment steps relevant to the investigation of heat-health vulnerabilities in Canadian communities are presented along with examples of method application and information on key challenges and limitations.

Community Based Adaptation in Brampton Through the Sustainable Neighbourhood Retrofit Action Plan (2011)

2011

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has established several pilot programs throughout the Greater Toronto Area to promote climate change adaptation and sustainability in established urban neighbourhoods. The Sustainable Neighbourhood Retrofit Action Plan (SNAP) program based in Brampton focused on the County Court neighbourhood.

Through a series of community and stakeholder engagement efforts and in partnership with local businesses, residents and neighbourhood groups, the SNAP developed an action plan for the community that identified recommended actions for the municipality, the neighbourhood and the private landowners. The case study describes the SNAP program and discusses the features of the Brampton SNAP program. In addition, the case study examines the challenges that were encountered throughout the process and the lessons learned by the project team.

Creating a Regional Climate Change Strategy in Peel (2011)

2011

The Region of Peel, Ontario, has experienced climate change impacts and expects greater impacts in the future according to available climate projections. To prevent damage related to climate change impacts, and to build adaptive capacity within, the Region of Peel developed the Peel Region Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. The strategy was a collaborative effort that included partners in the lower tier municipalities and conservation authorities within the Region of Peel.

This case study reviews the features of this progressive strategy and identifies the benefits of addressing climate change impacts at a regional level. The case study also includes a discussion of the challenges that the Region encountered throughout the process as well as some of the key lessons learned that may assist other Regions to incorporate climate change into their key plans and strategies.

Guide to Writing Community Climate Change Adaptation Case Studies

2011

This guide is for people who are writing or planning to write community climate change adaptation case studies. This guide is intended to help writers produce case studies that meet the needs of practitioners. The guide provides an overview of different types of community adaptation case studies, including introductory (“gateway”) case studies, worked examples, process case studies, learning histories and comparative case studies. The guide also outlines key considerations for scoping a case study, steps for writing a case study, and challenges and benefits associated with case study writing.

Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into the Town of Ajax Official Plan (2011)

2011

The Town of Ajax, Ontario, has experienced several climate change impacts including more variable weather, extreme wind events and an increase of invasive species. To prevent damage related to such events, and to build adaptive capacity within the municipality, the Town has incorporated climate adaptation and mitigation strategies into their Official Plan.

This case study reviews the Official Plan in some detail to provide insight into the process of mainstreaming climate change in a municipality. The case study further discusses the primary challenges the Town experienced throughout the process and concludes with lessons learned that can assist other municipalities in building climate change adaptation into municipal plans and strategies.

Stormwater Management in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Basin: Cities Charting the Way Forward

2011

A presentation on the stormwater management in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Basin: theory, survey results and examples of good practices.

Wisconsin’s Changing Climate: Impacts and Adaptation

2011

This report is the first in a series that will provide an ongoing assessment of climate change impacts and adaptation strategies in Wisconsin. To adapt successfully, local and state decision-makers must have access to climate science, predicted impacts, adaptation strategies and means of implementing adaptation. This report builds a foundation for long-term integration of climate risk education into Wisconsin’s professional and community development efforts.

Achieving Hazard-Resilient Coastal & Waterfront Smart Growth

2011

This report presents an overview of ideas shared by smart growth and hazard mitigation experts at an August 2011 roundtable. The roundtable participants focused on how coastal and waterfront communities can create environmentally and economically sustainable neighborhoods while minimizing risks from coastal flooding. The report provides ideas for further research, tools, services, and approaches that federal and state agencies, academics, organizations, and practitioners could consider to improve integration of smart growth and hazard mitigation approaches along the coast.

Wasaga Beach: Great Beaches Success Stories

2010

Wasaga Beach, in the Town of Wasaga Beach, Ontario, is one of the province’s most popular beaches. The Beach is Blue Flag certified, and also has historical significance from the War of 1812. Read more about Wasaga Beach’s best practices in this document.

Beaches: Toronto

2010

Seven of Toronto’s Beaches are certified as “Blue Flag” beaches, which is the international eco-label for quality beaches. Blue Flag beaches must meet 27 criteria in order to be certified as exceptionally healthy, clean, and environmentally-friendly waterfront recreation areas.