Smart Control of the Climate Resilience in European Coastal Cities

Project Information

SCORE

Grant agreement ID: 101003534

DOI

10.3030/101003534

Project closed

EC signature date 10 May 2021

Start date 1 July 2021

End date 30 June 2025

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials

Total cost

€ 9 980 831,00

EU contribution

€ 9 980 831,00

Coordinated by

ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - SCORE (Smart Control of the Climate Resilience in European Coastal Cities)

Reporting period: 2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

SCORE is a four-year EU-funded project aimed at enhancing climate resilience in European coastal cities. The project addresses specific climate change challenges such as sea level rise, coastal erosion and extreme weather events through an integrated approach combining smart technologies and digital platforms, nature-based solutions (NBS), and the living lab method.

A key activity of SCORE is the design, implementation, and evaluation of a novel framework of Coastal City Living Labs (CCLLs). This approach enables citizens and stakeholders to collaborate with scientists, researchers, and engineers in co-creating and co-designing sustainable and acceptable solutions by society.

SCORE outlines a comprehensive strategy, developed via a network of 10 CCLLs of 8 European countries, to rapidly, equitably, and sustainably enhance coastal city climate resilience using an Ecosystem-Based Approach (EBA) supported by sophisticated smart technologies. In this network, CCLLs – who have frontrunner and fellow roles – will co-create and co-design climate adaptation strategies and tools (e.g. low cost sensing technologies, citizen science kits, Digital Twin – Early Warning Support System) through collaborative learning.

By co-designing and co-developing solutions with citizens and other stakeholders, and by deploying, testing, and demonstrating innovative EBAs, smart technologies, and hybrid NBS, SCORE will help mitigate the impacts of climate change on European coastal cities.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

From the beginning of the SCORE project to the end of the current reporting period, significant progress has been made in several areas. One of the main and first tasks was to develop a high-level baseline risk assessment of extreme climate impacts and sea-level rise across Coastal City Living Labs (CCLLs). Activities included comprehensive literature reviews, mapping past climate impacts, and integrating hazard exposure and vulnerability data into GIS-based maps, published in various deliverables and journal articles. Detailed flood risk assessments were also conducted for the WP3/WP6/WP8 frontrunner CCLLs, laying the groundwork for cost-benefit analyses of Ecosystem-based Adaptation measures and strategies for financial resilience. During the last 3 years, the CCLLs were established, implemented pilot operation plans, and engaged in co-creation, solution design, and pilot testing of interventions. Knowledge exchange and learning between CCLLs were facilitated, integrating lessons learned into ongoing processes for better outcomes. Sensor networks (WP4) were deployed, supported by citizen science and data collection, enhancing local resilience and adaptation efforts. The framework for the Digital Twin and Early Warning Support (DT-EWS) system (WP8) was designed and developed for some of the CCLLs, to enable simulations and real-time monitoring of the impact of extreme weather events. The design and development activities focused also on system efficient back-end and front-end integration, to provide users with a simple interface for scenario simulation and data visualization. The system’s deployment and validation are ongoing, with feedback from initial users informing further refinement. Dissemination efforts were extensive, involving the production of video content, webinars, social media engagement, and the development of additional resources like MOOCs, Infographics and GeoStories to maximize outreach and impact.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The SCORE project has advanced beyond the state of the art by integrating co-design and co-creation approaches into the development of its Digital Twin - Early Warning Support (DT-EWS) system, involving stakeholders from the beginning to ensure user-centric design and effective climate adaptation tools. The project leverages citizen science and low-cost sensors to foster local engagement and provide actionable data for coastal resilience. For the last year of the project, expected outcomes include refined policy recommendations for climate adaptation at local, national, and EU levels, enhanced digital and physical tools for real-time monitoring and decision support, and improved methodologies for ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA) through socio-economic assessments and cost-benefit analyses.
The project also aims to strengthen socio-economic resilience to climate impacts by integrating innovative financial strategies and management plans tailored to specific coastal conditions. This approach ensures a broad societal impact by promoting sustainable practices, enhancing public awareness, and driving policy changes that reflect the complexities of coastal adaptation. Socio-economic benefits include reduced vulnerability to climate risks, increased community engagement in climate resilience efforts, and the promotion of sustainable, science-based policy development.

SCORE Concept and CCLL