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With climate change accelerating its global impact – bringing more frequent and intense floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and heatwaves – urban planning has become even more important for adapting our cities and communities. Urban planning plays a critical role in addressing climate change by fostering resilient cities, integrating community perspectives, and implementing sustainable actions on local and global scales. Barbara Norman’s book, “Urban Planning for Climate Change” (2022), provides a timely exploration of urban planning as a key tool for effective climate action, emphasizing its role in addressing both current and future challenges. Drawing on the author’s extensive expertise in coastal planning, regional development, sustainable cities, and climate change adaptation, the book provides a well-rounded perspective on how spatial planning can respond to the pressing issues posed by a changing climate.

While Barbara Norman’s earlier work, “Sustainable Pathways for Our Cities and Regions: Planning Within Planetary Boundaries” (Norman 2018), laid out seven sustainable pathways for urban sustainability, this volume shifts focus explicitly to planning for climate change at both urban and regional scales. Through its seven chapters, the book explores topics such as climate-induced resettlement, global and local planning challenges, adaptation strategies for risks like floods and heatwaves, and the importance of stakeholder collaboration. Case studies from countries such as Canada, Australia, and Indonesia illustrate the difficulties of balancing urbanization with sustainability. For example, some areas that should be green spaces are being turned into residential zones. In many areas in Indonesia, development is often permitted in coastal areas in the lowlands. Barbara Norman also highlights the importance of transparent governance and multi-level cooperation in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create zero-carbon and climate-resilient cities that prioritize public accountability and inclusivity.

The book manages to successfully translate theoretical insights into practical recommendations, offering a unique combination of scholarly depth and actionable insights for spatial planners and policymakers. Barbara Norman effectively builds on key concepts from her previous studies and integrates broader goals, such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), into actionable strategies for planners. The book explores how these deeper understandings form the foundation of the strategies and actions presented, enabling readers to grasp the relevance of urban planning in tackling climate challenges. Barbara Norman thoroughly investigates pressing global issues, including coastal inundation, wildfires, extreme heat, and flood risks, using these as practical examples to illustrate what climate-resilient towns might look like.

Further, the book specifically addresses the challenge of urban resettlement due to climate change, projecting that by 2050, over a billion people will be displaced. Norman frames urban resettlement as “one of the biggest challenges of the twenty-first century” (p. 171), emphasizing the need for cooperation across all levels of governance to develop new climate-sensitive towns in safer locations. Spatial planning is portrayed as central in structuring urban governance and fostering long-term planning perspectives. In recognition of its importance, a full chapter is dedicated to addressing this specific topic.

The book concludes with key considerations for urban planning in the context of climate change. Norman draws a comparison with the introduction and development of the British New Town framework, using it as a lesson to develop a potential “climate new town framework” (p. 106–107). A particularly inspiring section of the book features interviews with academics and leading practitioners discussing the role of planners in developing climate-sensitive cities. Similar to her previous book, Barbara Norman concludes this volume with “ten essential actions for urban planning for climate change” (p. 144). This concise overview of actions and aligned steps stands out as a key feature of the book, providing readers with a roadmap for implementation.

Barbara Norman emphasizes that there is “still a long way to go to transform the planning and development of our urban settlements” (p. 145). The book argues for mainstreaming innovative approaches, such as the experimental concept of “building back better”, and incorporating them into generic planning practices. Examples of related key actions include the development of new planning techniques, the adoption of nature-based solutions in the built environment, and the facilitation of collaboration among emergency planners, climate scientists, urban planners, and community leaders. The book also highlights the importance of incorporating indigenous knowledge into climate-resilient planning practices.

While these actions might initially appear as a collection of familiar or superficial ideas, Barbara Norman successfully integrates them into a comprehensive framework, giving them new depth and relevance for spatial planning. This ability to connect diverse insights meaningfully is one of the book’s strengths. Another strength of the book is the interdisciplinary approach, which bridges spatial planning, environmental science, and public policy. Barbara Norman convincingly argues that climate change must be addressed through collaborative efforts that engage communities and disciplines alike.

Overall, “Urban Planning for Climate Change” provides a comprehensive and accessible examination of the challenges involved in building climate-resilient cities. By translating theoretical insights into practical recommendations, Barbara Norman’s book offers a valuable contribution to the growing field of climate adaptation. Her interdisciplinary approach and action-oriented focus equip readers with the tools and knowledge needed to create cities capable of thriving in the face of climate change. Whether you are a city planner, policymaker, or academic scholar, Barbara Norman’s book offers a nuanced, accessible, and forward-thinking perspective on how cities can navigate the complex challenges posed by climate change.