Observed Changes in Long-Term Climatic Conditions and Inner-Regional Differences in Urban Regions of the Baltic Sea Coast

This paper presents research outcomes from an investigation into climate change and urban impacts on climate development in urban regions of the Baltic Sea coast. The cities considered were Rostock and Stockholm, and their surrounding regions. The objectives were: 1) to determine whether significant changes in temperature and precipitation have occurred and, if so, to what extent;and 2) to establish whether there is a noticeable urban heat island effect in Stockholm and the medium-sized city of Rostock. Climatic trends were detected by linear regression and the Mann- Kendall test. Different precipitation trends were detected over the whole period of observation. Average annual temperatures increased significantly in both case studies, particularly from the 1970s with highest trends in winter and lowest in autumn (Rostock) and summer (Stockholm). Although changes in temperature extremes were detected for both regions, no overall long-term trend for precipitation extremes was observed. The average temperature in the city of Rostock (Stockholm) was approximately 0.3°C to 0.6°C (1.2°C) higher than in the surrounding rural areas had seasonal variations, with maxima in the warm season. The main outcomes were that significant changes in climatic conditions, particularly temperature patterns, have been occurring in the case study regions since the 1980s, and that there is a considerable urban heat island effect in both Stockholm and Rostock. This could encourage urban planners to consider specific climatic conditions and small-scale climatic influences also in relatively small coastal urban conglomerates in mid latitudes which can follow from land use changes.

The Dynamic Knowledge Loop:Inter- and Transdisciplinary Cooperation and Adaptation of Climate Change Knowledge

The‘‘dynamic knowledge loop’’explores processes of knowledge generation,knowledge exchange,and social learning in inter-and transdisciplinary cooperation and relates them to adaptive capacity.Adaptive capacity building can reduce vulnerabilities and enhance the resilience of urban regions towards the impacts of climate change.We use a mix of empirical methods and apply the dynamic knowledge loop as an innovative analytical tool.The added value of inter-and transdisciplinary cooperation concerning knowledge generation and facilitation of social learning is discussed by applying the dynamic knowledge loop to research about a scenario-planning process and a participatory mapping exercise in the urban region of Rostock,Germany.The results demonstrate that the scenario planning process allowed for a consideration of complex interrelations that have the potential for an integration of different influences,perspectives,and knowledge forms.Scenario planning facilitated social learning by creating a platform for integration and exchange of different epistemologies and for considering alternative futures.The participatory mapping exercise demonstrated the scientific value of the integration of local knowledge as well.Building upon these results,we stress the importance of knowledge generation,knowledge exchange,and social learning to build up adaptive capacity through different forms of cooperation between science and practice.