Cities must build resilience to effects of climate change

Climate hazards are becoming increasingly frequent and ferocious in nature, posing mounting challenges to cities in the form of rising sea levels, storms, heatwaves, or wildfires. Cities, home to approximately 56 per cent of the global population — or around 4.4 billion people — are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to their population density, high-emission industries, and vital assets. As 70 percent of the world's population is projected to reside in cities by 2050, designing climate resilient cities should be a high priority for city governments.

A WEF report states that an estimated 44 per cent of global GDP generated in cities is at risk of disruption from the loss of natural ecosystems. By nature of their urban design, green spaces in cities have been diminished over time, thereby reducing a city’s capacity to absorb carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. Traffic congestion and outdated public transport systems contribute significantly to air pollution and carbon emissions. Many historical cities have aging infrastructure, making them vulnerable to floods, storms, and heatwaves. Coastal cities face great risks from floods and rising sea levels.

Climate disasters resulted in economic losses of $83.5 billion across Europe in 2023 alone. From 1980 to 2023, nearly 50 million people in the EU were impacted by these disasters, which caused an average annual economic loss of approximately $15.2 billion. In the past month, communities worldwide have faced severe threats to their livelihoods. Regions in France and Italy have been struggling with severe floods, while in Bangladesh, flooding has destroyed an estimated 1.1 million tonnes of rice. Meanwhile, Hurricane Milton, which swept through Florida with record-breaking wind speeds, became the fifth most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic based on pressure. Without ambitious policies to support both the transition to net-zero carbon and boost climate resilience of cities, the rapid rate of global urbanization could lead to a substantial rise in greenhouse gas emissions, dragging cities into a vortex of climate hazards.

Many trailblazing cities have policy roadmaps that prioritize sustainability and resilience. Copenhagen aims to become the world’s first carbon-neutral capital by 2025, setting an ambitious goal, in close collaboration with industries, universities, and communities. Their climate plan encompasses a number of transformational projects, such as investing in energy-efficient infrastructure and fossil-free energy resources, promoting a circular economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector, and expanding afforestation efforts.

Melbourne has a Climate Change Adaption Strategy that includes initiatives focusing on increasing stormwater harvesting, increasing green space, increasing permeability across the city to reduce the impacts of flooding, and improving building performance in extreme weathers. Paris aims to become a climate-resilient city by reducing carbon emissions by 100 per cent, expanding urban green spaces, and developing overheat protection roofs through its 2024-2030 Climate Action Plan.

By nature of their urban design, green spaces in cities have been diminished over time.

Sara Al-Mulla

By prioritizing resilience, city governments can protect their inhabitants, foster economic stability, and lead the transition to sustainable urban living amid ever evolving and unpredictable climate threats. The policy roadmap should encompass actionable solutions that revolve around risk assessment and mitigation, investment in sustainable infrastructures, implementation of nature-based solutions to boost resilience, and engagement with communities and industries. Urban planners would need to conduct a full assessment of cities, identifying potential risks and hazards to vital assets — including roads, power lines, health facilities, residential zones, or educational institutions — in order to design impactful solutions that safeguard their communities.

Designing climate-resilient cities requires building and retrofitting infrastructure that can withstand the effects of climate change. One key element is the development of green buildings that use energy-efficient materials, renewable energy sources, and smart technologies to reduce emissions and lower energy consumption. Additionally, cities must invest in low-emission public transport networks, biking lanes, and electric vehicle charging stations to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Equally important is protection from rising sea levels and floods, via coastal barriers and upgrading drainage systems.

Further opportunities lie in leveraging nature-based solutions within urban planning. For instance, urban green spaces such as parks, green roofs, and vertical gardens reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and provide beautiful recreational spaces. Restoring ecosystems, such as wetland preservation and afforestation, helps cities absorb excess carbon and act as natural sponges for water from floods and rains. For instance, the Chulalongkorn Centenary Park in Bangkok is designed to capture four million liters of rainwater.

Additionally, governments need to integrate climate resilience into building codes, ensuring that future developments are built to be energy-efficient and able to withstand climate risks, such as flooding, heatwaves, and rising sea levels. Community engagement is also essential, as city governments must create awareness on the importance of sustainable practices and consider vulnerable populations who need assistance during climate hazards.

Governments will increasingly require businesses to transition to nature-positive solutions and, therefore, stimulus packages and financing initiatives for climate-resilient and green infrastructures will be essential, as exemplified by Germany's $146 billion program for green technology and South Korea’s $313 billion green financing plan. City governments can also consider collaborating with other cities, regional governments, and international organizations to enhance knowledge-sharing and funding for climate adaptation initiatives. Existing networks include the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and the 100 Resilient Cities, which have delivered great strides in this area.

Together, all these design elements can help shape cities that are more resilient and better equipped to handle the long-term impacts of climate change, thereby protecting the well-being of their communities and enhancing their economic vitality.

 • Sara Al-Mulla is an Emirati civil servant with an interest in human development policy and children’s literature. She can be contacted at www.amorelicious.com.