Adapting the landscape to climate change

Technical and infrastructural developments leave a significant mark on both urban and rural landscapes. Before projects of this scale can be realised, authorities often require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – an evaluation of the development’s impact on the environment. Visual and spatial assessments are central to this process and form an important foundation for ensuring that new developments are placed and integrated harmoniously into their surroundings.

Our cities and landscapes must accommodate a wide range of functions, interests, and concerns – from urban development and infrastructure to nature conservation and climate adaptation. This places high demands on the prioritization, planning, and siting of new developments and structures. Urban and landscape analyses provide a comprehensive overview of physical, regulatory, and contextual conditions and form a critical basis for decision-making in the early project stages.

Sustainability is not a single solution but a set of long-term choices that shape the built environment. At Gottlieb Paludan Architects, we approach sustainability management as a strategic discipline that enables our clients to make informed decisions and realise the full potential of their projects. We help clarify ambitions, define measurable goals, and translate sustainability strategies into reality – regardless of the project’s type, scale or complexity.

Heavy rainfall events are becoming more frequent, presenting growing challenges for cities to manage stormwater effectively. Traditional approaches such as expanding sewer networks are no longer sufficient, making alternative solutions like Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) a necessity. This approach enables water to be managed on the surface while simultaneously reshaping the terrain of cities and landscapes.