Supporting metropolitan Venice coastline climate adaptation. A multi-vulnerability and exposure assessment approach

Urban planning for adaptation to climate change privileges the construction of cognitive frameworks developed through the use of new spatial technologies and open-source databases. The significant and most highly innovative aspect concerns how resilience to CC under conditions of vulnerability and risk is defined, monitored and assessed. Based on these premises, this paper aims to explore a new methodology of climate vulnerability, exposure and risk analysis through multicriteria assessment techniques by activating a case study in the coastal municipality of Jesolo (Italy). Taking into consideration three main weather-climate impacts (Urban Flooding, Coastal Flooding and Urban Heat Island) the methodology searches for the best geo-referenced data that can best describe the recognizing impact of the cumulative impact condition through testing a GIS-based multi-attribute exploratory procedure. Intersectoral and multilevel vulnerability conditions at different spatial scales are configured. The analysis methodology continues using open source data (from Open Street Map) to construct local exposure information layers. Exposure combined with spatial vulnerability conditions allows the generation of multi-hazard mapping. Experimentation with multi-hazard climate-oriented spatial assessment can guide planning and public decision-making in new policy domains and target mitigation and adaptation actions in land planning, management and regulation practices. Finally, the proposed methodology can activate stakeholder engagement processes within municipalities to discuss the actual perceived risk and begin a collaborative journey with citizens to identify best practices and solutions to adopt in the areas indicated by the risk mapping. •Innovative approach for mapping, assessing, and engaging on climate risks.•Decision support system to inform planning-making on climate adaptation.•Evaluation of climate vulnerability of local assets and coastal areas.•Transboundary coastal adaptation planning in the Adriatic region.•Exposure mapping to inform stakeholder engagement and resilient practices.