Climate change and green networks. Spatial planning provisions at the Greek metropolitan areas

Climate change has recently emerged in the scientific dialogue as an important environmental issue. Several policies from the global to the local level have been formulated to frame the actions and measures that will enhance the resilience of societies and space. The focus is on outlining goals, objectives, and strategies both for mitigating climate change impacts and for adapting to reduce its effects and ameliorate vulnerability. The Greek National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (2016) includes certain adaptation measures that relate to the design, increase and integration of open / green spaces, and recognises spatial planning as a framework for the effective coordination of adaptation policies. This work focuses on the recording and evaluation of relevant policies that are formed at the metropolitan level in Greece, with emphasis on the organisation of green networks, as provided by strategic spatial planning. The study reveals that the effective contribution of spatial planning lies largely in the way it is utilised as a governance tool for policy coordination and management and the efficient integration of the planning system, from the national to the local level.