This paper presents a conceptual framework for using “convivial greenstreets” (CG) as a resource for climate adaptation. When applied consistently, CG can become an emerging green practice with a positive impact on urban adaptation to climate change: CG may provide localized climate amelioration in ways that support social engagement outdoors. However, as spontaneous phenomena, CG should neither become an academic nor an aesthetic prescriptive tool. How then can CG be used as an active resource for urban adaptation to climate change while avoiding these two potential pitfalls? To explore this question, we present the concept of CG and the ways it can be situated in theoretical urbanism and analogous urban morphologies. We profile the CG inventory corpus and conceptualization that has taken place to date and expand them through a climate-responsive urban design lens. We then discuss how CG and climate-responsive urban design can be brought together while preventing the academization and aestheticizing of the former. This discussion is illustrated with a group of visualizations. We conclude by submitting that climate-responsive urban design and extensive and robust CG practices can co-operate to promote more resilient communities and urban climates. Finally, the conceptual framework herein sets an agenda for future research.

People often oppose the implementation of flood mitigation measures based on concerns about “spatial quality” (SQ). SQ can be an ambiguous concept, which can function as boundary object that unites stakeholders from various backgrounds. Yet, the ambiguity of SQ can also be misused to justify particular interests, result in unmet expectations and lead to miscommunication. To contribute to the understanding, communication and implementation of SQ in flood risk management projects, this study systematically reviewed the use of SQ in the literature. The first part of this review resulted in the identification of 19 aspects categorized into four dimensions of SQ: experiential, use, ecological, and long‐term quality. Based on these dimensions, we found in the second part of this review that SQ is understood either as (1) experiential quality only, (2) the combination of experiential, use, and ecological quality, and (3) the combination of all four dimensions. The review illustrates that the understanding of SQ is related to several context characteristics, including the country of author affiliation and the prominent school of thought with regards to objectivity and subjectivity. For example, only authors affiliated with Dutch institutions take into account all four dimensions of SQ. To bridge between these different understandings of SQ, this study provides a framework with a set of terms that can be used for the development of a shared language for SQ, ultimately fostering the implementation of this concept in flood risk management projects.This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Planning Water

Current solutions for climate amelioration require excessive amounts of energy, such as air conditioners and patio heaters. Yet, historical energy-passive climate-responsive design solutions exist that have a potential for outdoor microclimate control. Regarding these solutions, there was no overview of historical vegetation for microclimate amelioration in oceanic climate zones. We therefore explored historical vegetation types for microclimate amelioration in the Netherlands, for the example of oceanic climate zones. We identified six vegetation types: espaliered trees, tree lanes, berceaux, shelterbelts, green walls and umbrella trees. For each type we described their historical microclimatic function(s) and discussed their quantitative microclimatic effects based on available literature. Whilst tree lanes and green walls are currently applied to ameliorate urban microclimate, this seemed not to be the case for umbrella trees, espaliered trees, shelterbelts and berceaux. We therefore recommend urban designers to also consider these other historical vegetation types for passive outdoor microclimate amelioration.