“Urban Resiliency & the Challenge of Coordinating Climate Adaptation Strategies at Different Scales,” Assessment and Presentation, Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure Workshop on Infrastructure Resilience II, April 2016

Abstract

In 2016, Mona Serageldin and I2UD contributed a workshop presentation, “Urban Resiliency & the Challenge of Coordinating Climate Adaptation Strategies at Different Scales.” The “Workshop on Infrastructure Resilience II: Advancing Planning and Design Tools” was organized by the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure under the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

Documents include the presentation and presentation text for “Urban Resiliency & the Challenge of Coordinating Adaptation Strategies at Different Scales.”

Learn more about I2UD’s current research on Climate Resiliency improvement strategies, at our main site: “AI Climate: A Decision Making Tool for Climate Resilience: Using AI to Identify Climate Change Hazards in the Cities of the Global South.”

Excerpt

[Excerpt: Presentation Text, by Mona Serageldin, for “Urban Resiliency & the Challenge of Coordinating Climate Adaptation Strategies at Different Scales”]

“Urban Resilience is a cornerstone of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and will be at the center of the discussions at the Habitat III conference. Climate experts and environmentalists are developing tools to assess the regional manifestations of climate change, but reliable prediction tools at the local level are still lacking. Professor Charles Kennel and his colleagues have demonstrated that multiple environmental stress factors interact with local micro-climate and ecological systems to produce different effects at different locations and hence different levels of exposure. They advocate regional assessments as a basis for local action.”

“Settlements in risk areas will differ in location, urban patterns, social characteristics, sources of livelihood and cultural particularities which in combination will shape vulnerabilities to climate change related effects. The focus on informal settlements will highlight the social dimension of exposure to the risks associated with climate change, which are often aggravated by human action. We will present two cases, Arusha, Tanzania and Cartagena, Colombia to illustrate the challenge of resilience building.”

“City and community responses to past weather events provide a good indication of the technical and managerial capacity of local authorities and the ability of vulnerable groups to protect themselves and their assets. Local resilience requires dynamic urban planning and management and an observatory capable of monitoring change in selected environmental indicators and mapping the spatial configuration of affected areas and systems. This task is facilitated by access to aerial photography and GIS. Land issues are critical to the effectiveness of local adaptation strategies, but their impacts tend to be underestimated.”

Project Year:	2016
Project Type:	Workshop; Presentation
Geographic Regions:	Arusha, Tanzania / Cartagena, Colombia
Reports:	Zofnass Program Workshop Infrastructure Resilience II: (Presentation, April 2016) Zofnass Program Workshop Infrastructure Resilience II: (Presentation Text)
Authors:	^{Mona Serageldin; Alejandra Mortarini; Barbara Summers;}
Sponsors:	^{Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure; Harvard University Graduate School of Design;}
Categories:	Climate Change and Resilience Building

ID:	2016_04_001

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October 2015December 2023

“Planning for Climate Adaptation Program” for Four Dominican Republic Municipalities: Santo Domingo National District, Santiago de los Caballeros, San Pedro de Macoris, and Las Terrenas, 2015

Abstract

In 2015, a team from I2UD contributed to the Planning for Climate Adaptation Program of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and USAID, working with four municipalities in the Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo National District, Santiago de los Caballeros, San Pedro de Macorís, and Las Terrenas).

The projects focused on three main objectives: 1) Improving the technical and management capacity of municipal planners; 2) Incorporating climate change adaptation considerations into the municipal planning process; and 3) Supporting the scale-up of climate resilient land use planning best practices to other municipalities in the Dominican Republic.

Documents include two official reports, an overview of I2UD’s involvement including curriculum, case studies, and scope of work, and NOAH case study and timeline.

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:	2015-2016
Project Type:	Risk Assessment and Local Development Strategy
Geographic Regions:	Dominican Republic
Reports:	Planning for Climate Adaptation Program: Inter-Institutional Working Groups Protocol (Report, December 2015) Planning for Climate Adaptation Program: Methods of Inclusive Development (Report, January 2016) Planning for Climate Adaptation Program: (NOAH Case Study, March 2016) Planning for Climate Adaptation Program: (NOAH Timeline) Planning for Climate Adaptation Program: (Scope of Work) Planning for Climate Adaptation Program: I2UD Involvement Planning for Climate Adaptation Program: Curriculum Planning for Climate Adaptation Program: Annex II, Selected Case Studies Reviewed
Authors:	^{François Vigier; John Driscoll; Oriol Monfort; Jim Kostaras; Alejandra Mortarini; Barbara Summers;}
Sponsors:	^{Santo Domingo National District, Santiago, San Pedro de Macoris and Las Terrenas; International City/County Management Association (ICMA);}
Categories:	Climate Change and Resilience Building

ID:	2015_10_002

Related I2UD Projects

Related by – City or Community Case Studies

“Planning for Climate Adaptation Program” for Four Dominican Republic Municipalities: Santo Domingo National District, Santiago de los Caballeros, San Pedro de Macoris, and Las Terrenas, 2015

“National Urban Policies in Arab States,” Regional Assessment and Case Studies on NUPs in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Sudan, 2014

“Arusha Urbanization Strategy and Urban Development Plan,” Development Strategy for Arusha Municipality, Tanzania, 2009-2012

ICLRD: Urban Reconciliation Case Studies for Public Housing Estates in Ireland and Northern Ireland, with Study Profile on the Basel Metropolitan Area, 2010-2012

Executive Training Course 2006: “Strategic Planning for Sustainable Infrastructure Development,” Workshop Curriculum with Case Studies, Pretoria, South Africa, 2006

IEP 2003: “Infrastructure and Partnerships for Local Economic Development” in Pretoria and Bloemfontein, South Africa, International Education Programs, 2003

IEP 2002: “Strategic Planning for Local Development & Urban Revitalization,” Program Overview, International Education Programs, 2002

Workshops on “Strategic Planning and Management of Municipal Infrastructure Programs,” from Review of Grant-Funded MIPs in South Africa, May-June 1999

“Housing Microfinance Initiatives,” Case Study for USAID Microenterprise Best Practices Initiative, 1999-2000

ITP 1998: “The Role of Public/Private Partnerships in Urban Improvements,” with Case Studies on Kreuzberg, Berlin (Germany), GIS Mapping on Cape Cod (US) and the Maarouf Quarter of Cairo (Egypt), 1998

“City of Szczecin Capital Improvement Program,” Case Studies for Technical Assistance Program, Szczecin, Poland, 1996

ITP 1994: “Revitalization in Older Urban Spaces,” Upham’s Corner, Dorchester, Boston, South Boston, and New Haven (US); Montpellier (France); and Cork (Ireland) with Case Studies, International Education Programs, 1994

“Introduction to Local Finances,” Teaching Monographs and Case Studies on Finance Management, by Visiting Lecturer David C. Jones, 1994-1999

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October 2012December 2023

“Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency Framework,” Development Strategy for Cartagena, Colombia and Condega, Nicaragua, 2012

Abstract

In 2012, I2UD assisted the municipalities of Cartagena, Colombia and Condega, Nicaragua to develop a “Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency” urban planning framework. The projects provided context for research on physical and social climate change vulnerabilities in informal settlements in vulnerable areas of Colombia and Nicaragua.

In partnership with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, the I2UD study team addressed changes in land policies to foster adaptation measures and facilitate their implementation, assess social vulnerabilities and make institutional considerations. Lack of enforcement for housing or service regulations, poor quality construction, and environmental degradation increase vulnerabilities to climate change in both regions. Although the two municipalities had undertaken risk assessments, neither had specifically addressed the special vulnerabilities in informal settlement areas to floods and landslides resulting from climate change.

Documents include the final report from January 2014, followed by earlier concept papers, research presentations, report elements on Cartagena and Condega, and a curriculum outline. A final report is available in Spanish.

Excerpt

[Excerpt: Final Report, “Increasing the Resilience of Informal Settlements to Climate Change in Two Latin American Cities: Condega and Cartagena.” I2UD, January 2014.]

ABSTRACT
“The conceptual framework for the research is based on the documentation of climate change effects and adaptation approaches by the International Panel on Climate Change but it focuses on risks in informal and lower-income settlements. It adapts basic guidelines that apply fundamental principles found in current climate and urban planning literature to these settlements. Despite IPCC warnings, many cities in the developing world are taking a reactive approach to climate change, only addressing impacts when they become emergencies. A strategic approach fostering adaptation is needed to address the multiple dimensions of risk faced by urban settlements, particularly lower-income communities, and build their resilience. Underlying causes of vulnerability include the lack of developable, serviced urban land, unplanned urbanization and limited public resources, all of which arise from ineffective management of land as a valuable asset, a creator of development potential and a generator of public revenues.”

“Two case studies document and evaluate the strategies adopted by the cities of Condega, Nicaragua and Cartagena, Colombia to reduce climate change related risks in informal and lower-income settlements, and assess remaining sources of risk. The proposed land-based policies, instruments, and projects – some conventional and some more innovative – are intended to better prepare the communities through both remedial and preventive adaptation measures.”

Project Year:	2012
Project Type:	Risk Assessment and Local Development Strategy
Geographic Regions:	Cartagena, Colombia / Condega, Nicaragua
Reports:	Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency Framework: (Final Report, January 2014) — Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency Framework: (Concept Paper) Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency Framework: World Urban Forum (Presentation, 2014) Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency Framework: (Presentation Text) Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency Framework: Cartagena (Presentation) Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency Framework: Condega (Presentation) Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency Framework: (Curriculum Outline) Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency Framework: (Final Report, Spanish, January 2014)
Authors:	^{Mona Serageldin; Warren Hagist; Carolina Morgan; Alejandra Mortarini; Mauricio Rodriguez Gomez; Luis Sevilla Fajardo; Alfredo Stein;}
Sponsors:	^{Lincoln Institute of Land Policy}
Categories:	Climate Change and Resilience Building

ID:	2012_10_001

Tags

January 2012January 2024

“Urban Planning Guide for City Leaders,” Research for UN-Habitat Report, 2014 Edition

In 2014, Dr. Mona Serageldin, Elda Solloso, and Gil Kelley contributed to background research papers for the 2014 edition of the UN-Habitat publication “Urban Planning Guide for City Leaders.” The 188-page report sought to help local leaders to develop and communicate urban planning initiatives and to follow best practices in light of rapid urbanization.

Excerpt

[Excerpt:] Table 4.1, Adapted from research by Dr. Serageldin (page 97):

Project Year:	2012
Project Type:	Development Strategy
Geographic Regions:	Global / None Specified
Reports:	Urban Planning Guide for City Leaders: (Final Report, September 2014)
Authors:	^{Mona Serageldin; Pablo Vaggione; Carolina Morgan; Elda Solloso;}
Sponsors:	UN-Habitat; Siemens;
Categories:	Informal Settlements and Urban Upgrading

ID:	2012_00_002

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January 2009January 2024

“Climate Change in the Local Development Agenda: Promoting Resilience Through Enhanced Understanding of Early Threats,” I2UD Report on Alexandria, Egypt and Cotonou, Benin, for the 5th World Bank Urban Research Symposium, June 2009

Abstract

In 2009, I2UD wrote a report for the Fifth World Bank Urban Research Symposium, analyzing the threats posed by climate change — due to flooding, extreme weather events, pollution, and coastal erosion — using example studies from Alexandria, Egypt and Cotonou, Benin.

I2UD, led by Mona Serageldin, addressed how climate change strategies must simultaneously address immediate threats, longterm economic health, and important political issues. Resilience strategies are essential in order to build urban preparedness, especially for municipalities with limited resources to protect their economies, housing infrastructure and service delivery provision. I2UD defined a need for direct urban expansion away from vulnerable areas, and offered to craft development strategies with action plans to address the local challenges of climate change.

Excerpts

[Excerpt: Introduction, p. 1]

“This paper discusses the responses of city authorities to the current and future threats posed by climate change in Alexandria, Egypt and Cotonou, Benin, two port cities facing increasing shoreline erosion, saltwater intrusion and flooding of low-lying areas. Each city has taken some actions to address these challenges but neither has yet developed an overall strategy to build resilience to climate change.”

[Excerpt: Summary]

“Experts have named Alexandria, Egypt and Cotonou, Benin as two cities facing high risks due to the impacts of climate change. City authorities are taking actions to build resilience to the most pressing threats, but they must also employ their limited resources to address economic development, employment generation and service provision. Strategies to address climate change must therefore be linked to immediate threats and politically and economically important issues. In both cities, land management policies and plans must focus on directing further urban expansion away from the most vulnerable, low-lying areas. Moreover, regional development strategies and action plans are needed to address impacts that spill over jurisdictional boundaries and promote coordination.

Key Words: Climate change, resilience, Alexandria, Cotonou, land management.

[Excerpt: Conclusion, p. 15]

“The dynamics of urban growth and land markets make appropriate responses difficult and expensive. As Alexandria and Cotonou grow, vulnerable populations continue to settle in risk-prone areas and future resettlement is even more difficult to contemplate due to the lack of suitable and affordable land, lagging infrastructure and inadequate public transportation. Decision-makers need to adopt land management strategies that will guide growth away from the most flood-prone and hazardous areas. This will require partnership with private developers and NGOs to increase the supply of affordable land for urban expansion and in the case of Cotonou organizing links between formal and informal service providers to extend services to newly urbanized areas yet to be reached by infrastructure networks. It will also require sustained action to control pervasive corruption in the administration of permits issued by subdistrict offices and in the inspectional services that allow violations to continue unabated.”

Project Year:	2009
Project Type:	Research Paper
Geographic Regions:	Alexandria, Egypt / Cotonou, Benin
Reports:	Fifth Urban Research Symposium 2009: “Climate Change in the Local Development Agenda: Promoting Resilience” Through Enhanced Understanding of Early Threats (Final Report)
Authors:	^{Mona Serageldin; Erick Guerra; Christa Lee-Chuvala;}
Sponsors:	^{5th World Bank Urban Research Symposium, June 2009, Marseilles, France}
Categories:	Climate Change and Resilience Building

ID:	2009_00_002

Tags

January 1995June 2024

“Community-Based Urbanization and Favelas Rehabilitation Processes,” Case Study in Academy Editions, “The Architecture of Empowerment: People, Shelter and Livable Cities,” for Fortaleza, Brazil, 1997

Abstract

This report “Community-Based Urbanization and Favelas Rehabilitation Processes,” was written by Mona Serageldin and CUDS specialists in 1997, and published in The Architecture of Empowerment: People, Shelter and Livable Cities, Academy Editions.

This housing case study of Fortaleza, Brazil examined the four interlinked urban programs in Fortaleza, which formed a coordinated framework for public and community action to address the human and environmental aspects of rapid urbanization. Programs combined capacity building, participation, civic engagement, and community-based management of local resources.

Excerpt

[Excerpt: Final Report, 1997]

“Fortaleza’s interlinked urban programs (Mutirão 50, Comunidades, Casa Melhor and the Integration Council) created a framework for coordinated public and community action addressing the human aspects as well as the environmental dimensions of rapid urbanization. The programs combined capacity building, participation, civic engagement and community based management of local resources. Fortaleza, the capital of the Ceara State, in the Northern region of Brazil, has a population of 2.5 million inhabitants, over half of whom live in more than 350 irregular settlements, known as “favelas”, lacking infrastructure and services. Rapid demographic growth and sustained migration from rural areas has fueled their proliferation. Since 1973, a new favela has developed every month . . .”
. . . .

“The goal of the Mutirão 50 pilot and the Comunidades programs is to create an interface for coordinated action by the different actors involved in urban development. The process capitalizes on the complementary roles of NGOs that have the capacity to innovate and lead an outreach and mobilization effort, and the public authorities that can foster institutionalization and replication of successful actions. The programs have 3 strategic objectives: to create a setting for self-built mutirões housing; to generate employment opportunities; and to set in motion a process of sustainable development.“

“The programs reinforce citizen participation and the autonomy of community based organizations by building up their capacity to negotiate with public authorities and broadening their vision and understanding of the wider socio-economic context. The Comunidades program is managed by a special commission, referred to as the Integration Council. It includes two representatives of each of the partners involved: the State, the municipalities, the university and the technical school, the NGOs and the community groups. . . “
. . . .

“Close ties to education and research institutions help develop innovative approaches to the three complementary and integrated action lines of the program: Housing construction institutional development and job creation. In light of the importance given to technical training, the collaborative effort with educational institutions is considered critical to the program’s success.”

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:	1995
Project Type:	Research Paper
Geographic Regions:	Fortaleza, Brazil
Reports:	Community Based Urbanization and Favelas Rehabilitation Processes: (Final Report, 1997)
Authors:	Mona Serageldin; Boguslaw Trondowski; Sameh Wahba
Sponsors:	^{Center for Urban Development Studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design}
Categories:	Urban Planning

ID:	1995_00_006