Urban Climate Integration Framework (UCIF): A Multi-Scale, Phased Model

Urban climate readiness requires multi-dimensional implementation strategies that operate effectively across both spatial scales and time horizons. This article introduces a multi-scale, phased model designed to support integrated climate action by distinguishing between metropolitan and building levels and addressing three core domains: physical resilience, decarbonization, and social/community engagement. The framework conceptualizes metropolitan and building scales as analytically distinct but operationally linked, allowing strategies to reflect the different systems, stakeholders, and capacities at each level. It also outlines a three-phase progression—Initial (assessment and goal setting), Readiness (planning and implementation), and Steady-State (monitoring and iterative adjustment)—to support staged, adaptive deployment. Each phase includes sample metrics and SMART goals that can be tailored to local context and tracked over time. By integrating theoretical insights with practical implementation tools, the framework offers a flexible yet rigorous approach for advancing urban sustainability. It emphasizes the importance of aligning technical interventions with institutional capacity and community participation to enhance effectiveness and equity. This model contributes to both planning theory and applied sustainability efforts by providing a structured pathway for cities to enhance climate readiness across systems and scales.