Extra resilience through smart solutions based on nature in Bucharest

Abstract

The paper aims to assess how nature-based solutions and smart technologies can contribute to increasing climate resilience in Bucharest. This is a city under increasing pressure from climate change, intense urbanization, and a lack of green infrastructure. The research is based on current concepts of climate resilience and sustainable urban planning, which promote the transition to green, resilient, and digitalized cities. The methodological approach integrates GIS spatial analysis by analyzing and processing key meteorological parameters, air temperature, and precipitation from nearly 50 amateur weather stations, with free access to this data throughout the county and municipality. At the same time, surveys on population perception and climate modeling based on machine learning (AutoML) are used, utilizing official and private meteorological data to estimate temperature trends and urban vulnerabilities in different climate scenarios (SSP). The results indicate a steady increase in average temperatures of up to +2°C by 2060, confirming the intensification of the urban heat island phenomenon and the need for sustainable adaptation measures. The implementation of nature-based solutions—green roofs, rain gardens, green corridors, permeable surfaces can reduce local air temperatures by up to 1.5°C and significantly improve thermal comfort and urban quality of life. The implications of the study are relevant for urban planners, researchers, and decision-makers, providing a replicable framework for climate-smart urban planning. The originality of the paper lies in the integration of smart city technologies and data-driven nature-based solutions into a coherent vision for the climate transformation of Bucharest into a more resilient, sustainable, and future-proof city.