{"id":23156,"date":"2016-08-29T09:54:33","date_gmt":"2016-08-29T08:54:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/itrc3.wpengine.com\/?page_id=23156"},"modified":"2016-08-29T09:54:33","modified_gmt":"2016-08-29T08:54:33","slug":"bristol-city-council-with-snacc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.arcc-network.org.uk\/arcc-bag-of-tricks\/stakeholder-views\/bristol-city-council-with-snacc\/","title":{"rendered":"Bristol City Council with SNACC"},"content":{"rendered":"
January 2013<\/h5>\n

A stakeholder view from Bristol County Council, working to embed climate change adaptation into strategy development, risk management and key decision-making processes.<\/p>\n

Overall relevance & usefulness of research:<\/h3>\n

Over 85% of the population in England live in areas classified as \u2018suburban\u2019 which differ in physical characteristics, socio-economic and cultural characteristics of residents. Although awareness of climate change is increasing, our Quality of Life survey<\/a> shows how few people make any link between a changing climate; and the impact upon daily life, homes and neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n

Led by Professor Katie Williams at the University of the West of England working with researchers at Oxford Brookes and Heriot Watt universities, the SNACC project aimed to answer the research question \u2018How can suburban neighbourhoods be best adapted for a changing climate?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

This research not only helps build our evidence base for climate risks in the city but also has implications for strategic planning policy, community resilience, neighbourhood planning, asset management, protection of vulnerable people and our own retrofitting programme.<\/p>\n

Climate risks were appraised through a combination of downscaling UK climate projections, monitoring household summertime temperatures and computer modelling around 150-200 homes in two neighbourhoods. Focus groups were held with residents in St Werburghs and Upper Horfield to explore attitudes to risk and the acceptability of retrofitting measures at the home and neighbourhood scale to tackle overheating, water shortages, flooding etc.<\/p>\n

SNACC highlights how the process of change in the suburbs is complex, with multiple stakeholders being responsible for climate risks, the built and natural environment. The majority of actions being undertaken by homeowners now focus on energy efficiency with adaptation not a priority, unless it helps save money or is related to hobbies e.g. rainwater butts for gardening. Likewise at the neighbourhood scale action is limited unless the area is part of a wider regeneration scheme.<\/p>\n

The research highlights the extent to which homes \u2013 old and new \u2013 are overheating today. Although potentially 100% of homes could overheat by 2050 (based on a High Emissions scenario and 90% probability), the majority of residents in focus groups did not consider this to be a risk for reasons including recent poor summers and climate scepticism. Opening windows and other behavioural means were also considered sufficient to cool their homes rather than having to resort to anything more substantial such as fabric changes.<\/p>\n

What does the research tell us about a particular issue:<\/h3>\n

During the lifetime of a building there are limited windows of opportunity to make major alterations. SNACC has highlighted the need to seize any opportunities which present themselves during routine repairs and maintenance, whilst also pursuing integrated solutions for low carbon, resilient homes during major refurbishments. Energy saving measures need to complement climate adaptation measures rather than present conflicts or exacerbate risks e.g. insulation worsening overheating.<\/p>\n

SNACC highlights the key factors contributing to overheating risk such as house orientation, street exposure (shading from trees), internal heat gains, local microclimate, ventilation, built form, glazing and building thermal mass. The three main ways of cooling homes are managing: i) the microclimate, ii) the effect of solar radiation, and iii) internal heat gains.<\/p>\n

Underlying principles of the outputs:<\/h3>\n

The SNACC project presents a succinct overview of the risks facing suburbs as a result of climate change and the measures for improving resilience. It establishes ways of improving homes and the wider neighbourhood area which are acceptable to residents in the case study areas and explores their motivations for making home improvements. Importantly, it also considers climate mitigation and climate adaptation in a holistic way.<\/p>\n

Engagement of stakeholders and the benefits accrued from exchange of information:<\/h3>\n

Through working with resident focus groups, the project team have established a suite of relatively simple and affordable measures which could be employed to reduce overheating e.g. external shading, solar film on windows and insulating primary pipework.<\/p>\n

The research also highlights the potential confusion amongst homeowners on flood protection. Residents were unsure as to whether they needed to invest in flood resilience measures themselves or whether they would be protected by larger-scale flood defences. There were also concerns about implementing measures which might draw attention to the risks and affect future saleability of their property.<\/p>\n

Did the outcomes meet the needs of you as a stakeholder:<\/p>\n