Urban Adaptation Justice in Zurich: Examining Justice Integration in Planning and Distributive Outcomes of Nature-based Solutions
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2025-04-28
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Master Thesis
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yes
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Abstract
Climate adaptation is increasingly urgent in light of intensifying climate impacts. However, adaptation efforts are not only technical or environmental challenges; they are fundamentally questions of justice. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have emerged as central tools for urban adaptation in Europe, promising to deliver climate resilience while supporting biodiversity and human well-being. Yet, without an explicit focus on justice, NbS risk reinforcing existing socio-spatial inequalities. Urban planning plays a crucial role in shaping whether adaptation strategies promote or undermine justice. This thesis examines how justice is integrated into planning documents and the distributive justice outcomes of NbS in the medium-sized city of Zurich. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining document analysis of cross-sectoral planning documents guided by a three-dimensional justice framework with exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) of NbS indicators (ecologically valuable area, sealed area, and tree density) in relation to six sociodemographic variables. The findings reveal a fragmented integration of justice principles in Zurich’s adaptation planning. While no significant city-wide distributive injustices in NbS provision were identified, localized inequalities persist, reflecting existing urban development patterns and sociodemographic stratification. This indicates that Zurich’s adaptation strategies are missing an opportunity to embed transformative justice goals. By analyzing both planning discourse and spatial outcomes, this research provides insight into how justice is integrated into Zurich’s urban adaptation strategies and lays the groundwork for future investigations into the procedural and structural changes necessary for achieving truly transformative and just climate adaptation interventions.
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published
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ETH Zurich
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Subject
Climate change; Adaptation; Urban planning; Justice; Nature-based solutions
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09685 - Kaufmann, David / Kaufmann, David