During my studies in spatial planning I focused on cities, water and climate change and dreamed of contributing to solving complex and persistent challenges in spatial planning. I became particularly interested in researching how land use planning for climate adaptation can affect sociospatial inequalities in different developmental and environmental conditions in cities in the Global South. My research experience with nature-based solutions (NBS) to address climate vulnerabilities in cities with informal settlements gave me insights in the knowledge gaps in this field. I became passionate about the combination of participatory methods and GIS and I can see the added value of applying these methods in research to contribute towards solving these challenges.
The distribution of nature-based solutions and climate vulnerability in cities in the Global South
Ana Polgar researches how nature-based solutions for climate-change adaptation affect, reinforce or respond to socio-spatial inequalities in cities in the Global South. This research project will develop a mixed method approach combining qualitative and quantitative modes of data collection and analysis to conduct remote as well as participatory field research on the distribution of interventions and to assess local vulnerabilities. Through a number of case studies in the Global South, Ana aims to recognize and address the realities of urban socio-spatial inequalities. This approach aims to support the localized management of resilience needs, and will help cities to more appropriately respond to the specific vulnerabilities of local communities with NBS.
