Climate plans are a new phenomenon in the urban planning arena. They broaden the way in which cities consider and think about the future, and develop new ways for the cities to deal with the long-term challenges of climate change. This study analyses five climate plans, made by cities that pioneer climate change action planning in the US: New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. All plans were developed in the last decade. The San Francisco Climate Plan is the oldest; it was published in September 2004. And the Portland plan is the most recent; the draft considered here was published in October 2009.

 

Our research investigates how the five climate plans address climate change. We analyze on what areas and strategies the plans focus, on which values the plans are based and what themes and issues are included. By comparing the cities’ climate strategies, we signal some trends and developments. We conclude by outlining how we expect the next generation of climate plans to look.