Climate Resilience in Mediterranean Cities from Strategies to Local Action

Cities in the Mediterranean region are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Spain planning authorities, municipal councils and municipalities are taking significant steps to mainstream urban climate resilience into their work in order to strengthen the equity, livability and resilience of their cities. This event will present best practices from the four countries, showcasing different approaches (strategic planning, institutional mechanisms, legislative frameworks, and local action) adopted by national and municipal governments to address climate change.
The event is structured into a policy dialogue and a roundtable discussion:
The policy dialogue will focus on the strategic and institutional aspects of urban resilience. First, the Egyptian General Organization for Physical Planning (GOPP) will present their efforts at mainstreaming climate considerations into their strategic planning frameworks, using the example of a climate vulnerability assessment and profiling instrument. The conversation will then touch on the joint efforts between GOPP and the Urban Development Fund (UDF) to translate those policy recommendations into local resilience and climate adaptation action plans. The Greater Amman Municipality will present their efforts to incorporate and institutionalize the climate action plan within urban planning regulations to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of climate actions.
The Ministry of Local Government in Palestine (MoLG) will present their efforts to empower local government units (LGUs) and municipalities in climate adaptation measures through green public spaces and retrofitting public facilities into green buildings. MoLG will also discuss their approach to empowering women, youth and civil society in the local governance of climate adaptation action. Barcelona's city council will then present their efforts in creating urban resilience in public spaces focusing on the adaptation and transformation of those spaces that enhance inclusion, livability and disaster-risk reduction.
The event will conclude with a roundtable brining the four cases into a conversation with Mayors from other municipalities in the Mediterranean and closing with reflective commentaries from C40 and GIZ.