Increasing adaptability through AI

The AI tools developed in the project are intended to help increase the adaptability of cities to climate change. For this reason, they were also analysed for their practical suitability and strategies were developed for integration at planning level or in planning law control instruments. On the other hand, legal risks and ethical aspects of the use of AI as well as the social acceptance of political reforms for the use of AI were analysed.

AI-supported climate adaptation in urban planning

At the planning level, institutional anchoring points for AI-supported climate adaptation in informal urban planning and strategic urban development were identified. As part of a co-productive process with representatives of the city of Freiburg, the opportunities and potential, but also the risks and challenges of permanently anchoring AI-supported planning tools in the city of Freiburg were identified. In addition to guideline-based expert interviews with representatives of the city of Freiburg, the use of AI-supported tools in urban climate change adaptation planning was tested in a simulation game using the example of the Wiehre district. 

Opportunities and risks of AI-supported climate adaptation from a legal perspective

In addition, it will be analysed how the AI tools developed in the project can contribute to improving the basis for decision-making in climate adaptation law. In particular, urban development, water and spatial planning law as well as environmental assessments and central areas of municipal services of general interest were analysed. In addition, interfaces between selected control instruments of municipal climate adaptation planning, in particular climate adaptation concepts and development plans, and AI-based predictions were identified.

Implementation of (economic policy) reforms for AI-supported climate adaptation

Possible social and economic risks arising from the use of AI in climate adaptation should be recognised and avoided in order to better shape future (economic policy) reforms. A survey on the acceptance of citizens (title: ‘Artificial intelligence (AI) in the public sector’) revealed initial results on the population's attitude towards AI technologies. Contrary to expectations, citizens showed little interest in ethical issues relating to climate change adaptation and artificial intelligence. However, it was striking that ‘democracy’ and ‘traceability’ were rated as less important. ‘Protection of privacy’ and “verifiability”, on the other hand, stood out as important.

Publications

Climate-sensitive Urban Planning through Optimization of Tree Placements