ULI publishes best practice guide to climate resilience

The Urban Land Institute and Singapore-based Centre for Liveable Cities have published a global best practice report which examines ways in which climate resilience can become “the new normal” for cities.

Building Climate Resilience in Cities Worldwide: 10 Principles to Forge a Cooperative Ecosystem assesses five cities, including Rotterdam, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York and Miami. The publication makes recommendations for bringing the financial and insurance sectors into discussions on climate resilience and demonstrating the return on investment for the private sector.

The book presses the need for a whole-of-society approach and calls on cities worldwide to recognise common challenges in building climate resilience. It also sets out a strategy for mobilising individuals in business,  government, civic organisations or simply as residents, to “act as global citizens” and take steps to make cities more climate resilient.

Other threats and inequalities need addressing alongside

An approach is needed, say the authors, “that addresses other threats and inequalities alongside climate risks in order to win the cooperation of all stakeholders and achieve genuine, city-wide resilience. The best solutions, meeting specific local needs, are shown to have been developed together with the people most affected.”

CLC and ULI set out practical guidance for city governments, businesses and communities to act together on risks, such as rising temperatures, wildfires, droughts, more intense storms, heavier rainfalls, and rising sea levels, which threaten the functions and sometimes even the existence of cities.

The 10 Principles for achieving collective action by multiple stakeholders are translated into recommended actions which are, in turn, illustrated with real-life examples of best practice from around the world. The principles include:

The report also features in-depth case studies of the resilience challenges and policies from Singapore, Hong Kong, Rotterdam, New York and Miami.

“If there’s one overriding message, it’s that we all need to break out of our silos. We need to plan longer term, collaborate beyond our usual boundaries and look beyond our own sectors, interests and responsibilities,” ULI global chief executive, Ed Walter said.

“We have to stop setting up discreet programmes that address just one risk and start thinking instead about how we incentivise broader behavioural change.”