Adaptability of land use plans and climate adaptation policies within the multilevel governance framework (Case study: Qazvin urban region)

Over the past three decades, local governments have played an important role in climate change policies. During this period, many cities around the world have developed their own climate plans and measures within the multilevel governance framework. On the other hand, land use planning is one of the most effective tools to facilitate local adaptation to climate change. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to evaluate land use plans in line with climate change adaptation policies in Qazvin urban region.

In this study, the documentary research method and the technique of systematic review of documents and plans prepared for urban and peri-urban development in Qazvin urban complex at different levels during the last two decades has been used. In addition, in order to adapt the climate adaptation policies and the formulated policies in these documents, the comparative-analytical method has been used. The measurement scale in the method was the Likert scale. The validity of the answers has been obtained based on the audit method and the use of expert opinions.

The assessments showe a relatively high level of conformity between climate change adaptation policies and developed policies and programs. This indicates the relative success of existing plans and policies at the national and regional levels in the face of climate change, but the lack of coordination, causes implementation problems and in some ways leads to increased climate change and its effects and consequences in the region. The policies of Qazvin province spatial planning document have the most compliance. Among the climate adaptation policies in the field of land use, the policy of "determining the activity of polluting uses and their appropriate location according to environmental assessments" has the most compliance and the policy of "planning for the establishment of uses based on ecological capacity" has the least compliance with the policies of this document.

Considering the mentioned features of multi-level governance and considering the existence of weaknesses in the body of the land use planning system both in the field of policy and in the field of performance in the Qazvin Urban Region in general, and weakness in facing climate changes in the city of Qazvin in particular, using new management approaches in this region, such as multi-level climate governance, can be a way forward. The establishment of such a system requires knowing the effective actors and stakeholders and examining the capacities and governance methods that can be used in this region. Therefore, the emphasis on greater interinstitutional coordination and the prevention of conflicts of interest, both horizontally and vertically, and the use of all institutional and legal capacities in the field of adaptation to climate change should be on the agenda of the local government.