Applying climate data to inform citywide adaptation actions through resilient urban plans and designs for developing countries

The training will introduce the importance of using climate science and risk-based information to support decision making and in developing sustainable urban plans and designs. The session will share a quick-guide on a Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment Tool and introduce steps in developing climate exposure databases and risk analytics that covers current risks as well as potential/ future risks considering an area’s urban development trends and constraints, co-benefits, and a deeper look on urban ecosystems. As participants undergo the training, they will learn the importance of risk-based analytics to support decisions and actions to improve various urban design elements in cities to adapt to climate change and improve the urban environment. Given the training inputs, the participants will have a practical exercise on processing and formulating citywide climate adaptation strategy using cases. They will be given a real scenario and actual datasets of anonymous cities where they can propose innovative design strategies for a greener and resilient urban development. Afterwards, groups will be given time to process their outputs/ideas linking back on how resilience and sustainable urban development are achieved through their selected adaptation design strategies. This training features the practical application of the risk-based analytical tool that will lead the participants in developing climate change actions and options. Learnings from the activities will allow attendees to further influence urban plans and design policy at the city/local level. The skills to be harnessed in this training will support project and policy development ensuring steps towards SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The tool has been developed and currently being used in the Philippines, the training will be highly beneficial for national and local government planners and program/project managers in developing countries.