StreetADAPT: an approach to help cities adapt to climate change

Aménagement paysager et gestion durable de l'eau - Monbahus

StreetADAPT is an innovative, tailor-made and scalable approach developed by Colas to help local authorities address the impacts of climate change.

Its objective: to design and develop public spaces that are more resilient, more comfortable, and better adapted to new urban challenges.

Urban overheating, heavy rainfall, soil sealing, loss of biodiversity… These are all urban challenges for which StreetADAPT provides concrete solutions, based on engineering, nature, and innovation.

Discover how Colas supports cities in becoming more resilient to climate change

Your challenges: a rapidly changing climate context

Cities must now cope with rapidly evolving climate phenomena:

Urban overheating

Temperatures rise more sharply in cities than in rural areas. Mineral surfaces absorb heat and release it at night, intensifying heat islands to the detriment of urban comfort.

More frequent and more intense rainfall events

Combined with soil sealing, these phenomena increase runoff and flooding, impacting infrastructure and human activities.

Soil artificialization and sealing

The reduction of natural soil limits water infiltration and exacerbates overheating.

Loss of biodiversity

The absence of ecological corridors reduces ecosystems’ ability to regenerate.
The decrease in urban vegetation further aggravates all these phenomena.

For an overview of environmental challenges

Our solutions: a tailor-made and scalable approach

StreetADAPT offers a range of technical and nature-based solutions, adaptable to the needs of each territory.

Creation of cooling islands to improve thermal comfort

Colas designs developments that:

  • reduce perceived temperature,
  • improve user comfort,
  • mitigate the effects of extreme heat,
  • promote vegetation and shading.

Possible solutions:

  • light-colored and reflective pavements,
  • draining or permeable road surfaces,
  • shading systems,
  • soil de-artificialization.

Integrated and sustainable stormwater management

To prevent sewer system saturation and protect infrastructure, StreetADAPT promotes:

  • local infiltration,
  • flow slowing and temporary storage,
  • water reuse,
  • disconnection from combined sewer systems.

This approach limits flood risks and enhances neighborhood resilience.

See inspiring projects

Integration of nature into urban environments

StreetADAPT relies on nature-based solutions:

  • creation of green spaces,
  • renaturation of urban soils,
  • ecological corridors,
  • biodiversity-friendly habitats,
  • use of technosols (fertile soils produced through recycling)
  • climate-adapted vegetation management.

These solutions improve quality of life, contribute to urban cooling, and enhance the attractiveness of public spaces.

Expert support for local solutions

Colas teams work alongside local authorities to:

  • analyze the specific challenges of the territory,
  • define adaptation scenarios,
  • size and implement technical solutions.

StreetADAPT is not a fixed solution: it is a tailor-made approach, adaptable to the climatic, hydraulic, and urban characteristics of each city.

Our StreetADAPT brochure

Download the brochure

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about StreetADAPT
    Which territories can benefit from StreetADAPT?

    All local authorities facing overheating, the consequences of intense rainfall events, or renaturation needs: city centers, residential neighborhoods, schools, commercial areas, etc.

    Does StreetADAPT focus only on road infrastructure?

    No. The approach covers public spaces in the broadest sense: streets, sidewalks, squares, schoolyards, parks, pedestrian areas, surroundings of public buildings, etc.

    Does the approach require major construction work?

    Not necessarily. StreetADAPT offers interventions at all scales: from the complete redevelopment of a neighborhood to targeted and specific actions.

    The solution is designed to be progressive and adaptable.

    Can the effects of the developments be measured?

    Yes. Performance indicators (temperature, runoff, user comfort) can be modeled and monitored over time to adjust developments if necessary.