Background Climate change is one of the main threats that global society faces. The international community is trying to tackle this problem through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. Although nearly all European regions are affected by climate change, the impact depends on the local context. Climate change thus needs to be addressed with a strategy that strengthens actions at the local level. The implementation of local policies is more effective if they are part of a local planning framework, which also promotes partnerships between civil society and the private sector. Since 2002, thanks to the LIFE project 'EcoBudget' (LIFE00 ENV/S/000852), Bologna has developed a system for local sustainable management of environmental resources and has set CO2 emission reduction targets. Bologna is also developing mitigation measures, through energy, mobility and waste management planning, for while complementary local climate adaptation plan is now required. Objectives The main goal of the BLUE AP project was to provide Bologna with a local climate change adaptation plan, namely BLUE AP (Bologna Local Urban Environment Adaptation Plan for a Resilient City). The project aimed to learn from and disseminate the best EU experiences in adaptation planning at the town level, and adjust them to fit the specific Italian situation; consolidate a governance and planning model usable in a large number of Italian cities; establish a comprehensive and innovative information system that integrates environmental and social data to assess the climate change risks and vulnerabilities in Bologna; and to support local stakeholders with the aim of designing and launching some of the measures and actions defined by the Local Adaptation Plan. Results The BLUE AP project set up a local climate change adaptation plan for the city of Bologna, to prevent and react to the impacts of climate change at local level (e.g. heatwaves, water scarcity and flooding). In this respect, Bologna represented the first Italian pilot city, in which appropriate participatory processes and methodologies, such as SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems) techniques, were applied to define a resilience strategy. Measures applied are being monitored in the short, medium and long term. The project’s adaptation measures were included in Bologna’s Municipal Building Code and Public Works Guidelines, to improve infrastructure and responses during extreme meteorological events. The partnership, of the municipality of Bologna with associated beneficiaries Kyoto Club, Ambiente Italia and ARPA E-R, demonstrated the application of model forecasting for climate and meteo-hydrological risks and climate adaptation measures planning, in addition to awareness-raising activities and participatory processes management. Key project results included the down-scaling of regional climate change parameters/forecast scenarios to the urban level, the drafting of detailed risk maps, and the preparation and approval by the Municipality City Council of the Bologna Climate Adaptation Plan and its pilot measures. The project’s greening campaign involved the implementation of SUDS techniques, such as measures to improve the rainwater harvesting capacity of impermeable areas for non-potable water uses. Companies and citizens were informed about economic and other opportunities offered through adaptation planning. The wider participatory process implemented helped build a more resilient community and raised awareness about the risks associated with climate change. The measures launched during the project are expected to be continued and monitored in the After-LIFE phase. A range of networking and dissemination activities were implemented, particularly through the efforts of Ambiente Italia and Kyoto Club. Down-scaling of the regional meteorological data at the local scale in Bologna pointed out or confirmed the main vulnerabilities in facing climate change. These are drought and water shortages, heatwaves in the city centre, and extreme rain and hydro-geological risk. Risk maps were drafted in order to identify the urban districts most exposed to these threats and to refine the strategies of the Bologna Climate Adaptation Plan. The pilot measures were fine-tuned as a result of this process, and are expected to produce both environmental and socio-economic benefits. On the environmental side, the project limited water losses through the distribution network and reduced civil and agricultural water consumption by adopting alternative resources and the collection of rainwater for irrigation purposes. To counteract heatwaves, the Adaptation Plan promotes an increase in green surfaces, including green roofs, and the planting of trees along urban arteries. The measures selected also limit hydro-geological risk. The application of SUDS and other measures are expected to lead in the long term (10 years) to a reduction of over 39 000 m2 of impermeable surfaces, with the creation of over 28 000 m2 and 15 000 m2 of semi-permeable and permeable areas, respectively. In addition to defining technical measures and monitoring indicators to improve climate change resilience, the Bologna Climate Adaptation Plan amends the Municipal Building Code, for instance, stipulating a decrease in the maximum daily water consumption from 150 to 140 l/capita/day, and an increased provision for rainwater harvesting in new buildings for residential and industrial use. A new Annex (‘Plant species with high environmental efficiency’) was prepared and attached to the Municipality Public and Private Green Regulation. SUDS techniques were added to Public Works Guidelines, including the use of conveyance channels, infiltration trenches and retention areas. New market opportunities could arise from the development of greening and water saving technologies in the building sector, or through the creation and maintenance of public green spaces and SUDS techniques. Other social benefits include positive effects on health due to the alleviation of heatwave impacts or the greening measures that could also improve air quality. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).