Intersectional vulnerabilities in climate change adaptation: challenges of integrating them into urban planning in Vienna

Gabor, A., Thaler, T. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3869-3722, Damyanovic, D., & Friesenecker, M. (2026). Intersectional vulnerabilities in climate change adaptation: challenges of integrating them into urban planning in Vienna. Local Environment 1-32. 10.1080/13549839.2026.2677082.

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Abstract

Urban heatwaves have a significant impact on cities due to their density and the scarcity of green and blue spaces. Public green and blue spaces (PGBS) play a crucial role in mitigating these negative consequences. To counter these socio-spatial inequalities, urban planning plays a crucial role in increasing the availability of PGBS near their living areas. This paper examines how women's intersectional heat vulnerabilities are addressed in climate adaptation and urban planning, using Vienna as a case study, given its long-standing commitment to gender mainstreaming and climate-sensitive planning. Drawing on environmental justice and intersectionality perspectives, we employ a mixed-methods approach: an assessment of the socio-spatial distribution of inequalities in Vienna and a qualitative assessment aimed at understanding how women are considered within the planning decision-making process. The results identify spatially distinct overlaps between areas with high concentrations of intersecting vulnerabilities of women and low levels of PGBS for priority areas. Within policy documents and semi-structured interviews, a wide range of strategies exists to reduce social inequalities. However, the links between existing policy instruments to reduce negative impacts for women by providing more PGBS are few and weak. Providing PGBS for vulnerable women to increase spatial justice is not prioritised, but is, on the contrary, often ignored and excluded from urban planning across the globe. Even the frontrunner example of Vienna struggles to tackle this challenge in the interests of climate justice.

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