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The ‘Suburbs’ represents the residential neighbourhoods of our towns and cities, home to the majority of people living in Scotland. These areas include our schools and local shopping, and our playing fields and parks.

Our neighbourhoods are already impacted by severe weather, especially flooding and storms. These risks will increase as the climate changes and some – like overheating – will become more important than they are today. We can become more climate resilient through increasing greenspace, retrofitting and maintaining our buildings, and improving flood management.

Permeable Neighbourhoods

Hard-standing driveways and building extensions increase surface water runoff and cause localised flooding. Creating permeable surfaces and greenspace around homes prevents flooding and overloading of drainage systems during heavy rainfall events.

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All-Weather Sports

Sport fields will need to be carefully managed to deal with more frequent periods of prolonged rainfall or drought that can close grass pitches. In some cases only all-weather sports pitches can ensure year round access. The all-weather pitches must be designed and located so that they don’t add to surface water management problems. They must also be usable in warmer conditions, for example by providing shade.

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Retrofitted School

Measures to increase climate resilience can be introduced as the school building is redeveloped over time. Better ventilation and maintenance of the building increases resilience to wind driven rain, damp conditions and overheating. A green roof improves insulation, prevents overheating and reduces runoff.

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Quality Greenspace

Greenspace is re-designed to connect people and places, encouraging walking, cycling and enjoyment of the natural environment. Improving greenspace can contribute to surface water management in the area and help nature adapt by including a range of plant species.

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Permeable Surfaces

Replacing hard-standing carparks and driveways with permeable surfaces and making room for more greenspace, including street trees, can improve drainage, reduce local overheating, and improve air quality.

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Climate Ready Homes

Homes will need to cope with rising temperatures, heavy rainfall and damp. To be low carbon and climate resilient, design will need to consider ventilation, solar gain and shading. They can be surrounded by permeable surfaces and green infrastructure for surface water management and to reduce local overheating.

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Open Watercourses

Removing culverts and re-introducing open water channels slows the flow of rain water in to drains and rivers, helping to reduce the risk of flooding. This also improves water quality, provides space for vegetation and more public greenspace.

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Retrofitted Apartments

Retrofit of water butts, downpipe disconnections, raingardens, planters and permeable surfaces can be effective for surface water management. External fitting of green-walls and roofs improve insulation, reduce runoff and provide cooling. Buildings will also need to be well-ventilated to cope with overheating and damp.

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Safe Homes

Investing in flood prevention schemes can reduce local flood risk while improving greenspace and local amenities. This can ensure people stay in the area, are able to access affordable insurance, and encourage better maintenance of homes and the neighbourhood.

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Re-naturalising Watercourse

The canalised watercourse can be restored to more natural meanders and banks. Giving space to the watercourse and allowing temporary flooding of greenspace reduces flood risk to surrounding areas. It also improves habitats and allows access for recreation and active travel.

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Protect Critical Services

Emergency services and their critical assets, like fire stations, need to operate during severe weather events. The sites and access routes need a high degree of flood protection to ensure it remains operational in emergencies.

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Community Hub

A community hub provides access to local services and workspace bringing people together to develop local projects and social enterprises. This helps community coordination and people will be less reliant on travel to access services.

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Community Growing

Community growing initiatives can increase greenspace, often in underused locations. As well as growing local seasonal food, they can enhance biodiversity, provide a focus for local projects, and improve community cohesion.

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Remove Culvert

Removing the culvert under the bridge will improve the flow of water, contribute to reducing flood risk, and stop litter and debris from being trapped. It will increase the visual appeal of the river and improve the river environment.

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Climate Classroom

Schools can demonstrate best practice in the community. Replacing grey-space impermeable surfaces with an outdoor classroom that integrates green infrastructure, food growing, and natural habitat can increase the climate resilience of the school and raise awareness in the community

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