{"id":53123,"date":"2026-07-16T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swecobelgium.be\/?post_type=showroom_cpt&p=53123"},"modified":"2026-07-15T12:00:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T10:00:35","slug":"climate-adaptation-scan-for-sint-niklaas-and-stekene","status":"publish","type":"showroom_cpt","link":"https:\/\/www.swecobelgium.be\/en\/showroom\/climate-adaptation-scan-for-sint-niklaas-and-stekene\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate Adaptation Scan for Sint-Niklaas and Stekene"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t

\n\n

\n\t\t\t $\"hand$ \t\t<\/div>\n\n \n \n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

\n\t

\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n

Climate adaptation<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Climate Adaptation Scan for Sint-Niklaas and Stekene<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
How can a city become more resilient to heat stress, drought and flooding? This was the central question behind the climate adaptation<\/a> scan carried out by Sweco, together with the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM), for Sint-Niklaas and Stekene.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n \t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n
\n
Expertise:<\/dt>\n
Climate resilience & nature<\/span><\/dd>\n
Client<\/dt>\n
Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij (VMM)<\/span><\/dd>\n
Location<\/dt>\n
Sint-Niklaas & Stekene<\/span><\/dd>\n
Services<\/dt>\n
Climate adaptation<\/a>, policy planning, air quality<\/span><\/dd>\n <\/dl>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
\n\t
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
Using the PLAN tool and PROJECT tool<\/strong> from the Flemish Climate Portal, we mapped the climate risks<\/a> and translated them into concrete measures, spatial design proposals and an investment agenda. For the first time, the analysis also examined the impact on air quality, using the new local air quality screening tool. In this way, a technical analysis became a practical instrument that enables both municipalities to invest purposefully in a climate-resilient and healthy living environment. We mapped the impacts of climate change in very concrete terms, while also showing how smart interventions, such as greening and creating more space for water, can reduce those impacts to a safe level.<\/p>\n
Climate change calls for local solutions<\/h2>\n
Heatwaves, periods of drought and heavy rainfall are becoming increasingly frequent as a result of climate change. Their effects are also felt locally: health problems<\/strong> caused by heat stress, damage to infrastructure and buildings due to flooding, reduced agricultural yields as a result of water scarcity, and more.<\/p>\n
The health impacts are particularly pronounced in built-up areas. City centres, village cores, business parks and densely developed residential neighbourhoods heat up more quickly and cool down more slowly. This increases the risk of health problems and puts growing pressure on public space<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Despite improvements in recent years, local air quality in many places still exceeds health-based thresholds. This places pressure on permitting policy and poses a risk to the health of vulnerable groups.<\/p>\n
Addressing these challenges requires a clear understanding of where the risks occur and which measures will have the greatest impact<\/strong>. That is exactly what a climate adaptation<\/a> scan provides.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
\n\t
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
Data that provides direction<\/h2>\n
A climate adaptation<\/a> scan systematically maps the impacts of climate change and translates them into an actionable adaptation strategy<\/strong>. Using the PLAN tool and PROJECT tool from the Flemish Climate Portal, together with the air quality screening tool, we analysed the risks of heat, drought, flooding and air pollution at neighbourhood level. On that basis, we determined which package of measures would be needed to minimise the impact as much as possible.<\/p>\n
Based on this analysis, we developed measures at different scales<\/strong>: from municipal policy programmes and neighbourhood-level interventions to the redesign of specific project locations. In doing so, we brought together data, design research and policy advice into a single integrated strategy.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n