Assessment of Climate Change Mainstreaming in Spatial Planning at the Central Level in Kosovo

Abstract

Spatial developments contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions and disordered land use. At the same time, climate change impacts have spatial implications, influencing the land uses and settlements development, and damaging habitats, ecosystems, infrastructure and other assets. Considering its regulatory character and multi-sectorial approach, spatial planning is gaining an increasingly important role in climate change management. As such, it could be better utilized in increasing climate resiliency and achieving decarbonization targets in Kosovo as well. While Kosovo is prone to natural hazards such as floods, landslides, droughts, and wildfires, the future climate change could further impact the economy, infrastructure, buildings, energy, health and wellbeing of its communities. Assuming that climate change considerations are not sufficiently integrated in spatial planning policies at the national level in Kosovo, this research assesses the extent that the Law on Spatial Planning and the Spatial Plan of Kosovo (also referred as the Spatial Planning Strategy) address those considerations. Upon the identified gaps, this research provides recommendations for better climate change management, risk reduction and resiliency building. Considering that the Spatial Plan of Kosovo has expired, and the Kosovo’s institutions are currently reviewing and considering the updating of the Law on Spatial Planning, the findings of this research could better inform and orient climate change mainstreaming in spatial planning at the central level.

Prospects for Mainstreaming Urban Agriculture in Kosovo in support of sustainable urban development

“…The The policy forum and discourse on urban-rural linkages and prospects for potential urban agricultural development were extracted through the outcomes of different multi-stakeholder events and dialogues, including the United Nation's Food Systems Summit 2021 dialogue on "Transforming Kosovo's food system: Opportunities to boost sustainable food production and consumption to build back better from COVId-19" convened by the Institute for development Policy (INdEP), the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural development (MAFRd) and United Nations Kosovo Team (UNKT) [16], as well as "The future of territorial planning in Kosovo" symposium conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (MESPI) and UN-Habitat Kosovo [17].…”

“…However, even though the national focus is predominately on rural agricultural development, different food systems-related stakeholders are also calling institutions for "supporting innovation in urban agriculture through dedicated funds and programmes" [16]. The need for developing urban and rural areas as a continuum, while reducing inequalities and bridging development gaps is emphasized by different stakeholders while rethinking the future of Kosovo's territorial planning [17]. While the urban population trend continues to grow, opportunities for food production in cities would contribute to increased food security and livelihoods, increased social cohesion (especially through community garden initiatives), and lower food transport-related emissions.…”

“…Furthermore, the mapping of flows in the regional and urban food system, including the flow of inputs, raw food products, processed food and waste is also crucial for understanding the complex relationships, avoiding consequences, and planning for sustainable foodscapes (the territorial dimension of food production and consumption) [27]. More robust data on urban agriculture would enable quantifying its exact impacts, costs and benefits to food security, malnourishment, environmental quality and socioeconomic development in Kosovo. As Kosovo integrates its development and sustainability considerations in policy and technical changes, it is crucial to strengthen the rural, peri-urban and urban linkages towards ensuring food security and increased community resilience [15] [17]. Following examples from other developed cities (in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea), Kosovo should enrich its food policies, linking them with overall health, nutrition and socioeconomic development aspects, increased local food production (including homes, schools, public buildings or other community parks in urban areas) and self-sufficiency [4] [8].…”