Nature-based solutions in urban planning: from permaculture gardens to climate-resilient cities
November 7, 2024 | 17:00 - 18:30
Summary
In the framework of Dialogue 2 "Cities and the Climate Crisis", this event aims to showcase the ongoing efforts of the municipalities of Irbid in Jordan and Zahle in Lebanon in implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to tackle urban environmental challenges. Specifically, integrating permaculture practices and urban agriculture initiatives within the broader context of climate-resilient urban master planning.
The session will highlight a multi-stakeholder project, in collaboration with UN-Habitat, involving local communities, farmers, displaced persons, and academic institutions to develop permaculture demonstration sites and climate-resilient urban master plans for municipalities in Jordan and Lebanon. The event will focus on the experiences of the municipality of Irbid and Zahle in integrating permaculture practices into their urban planning endeavors while covering three key aspects: permaculture at the individual scale, in community development, and in urban planning. It will showcase a permaculture demonstration site as a model for sustainable urban gardening and highlight the opportunities and challenges of implementing permaculture at different scales. It will discuss avenues for replication and scaling-up to a city-wide level, with a focus on mainstreaming permaculture and urban agriculture practices into broader urban planning frameworks, emphasizing the role of green infrastructure and natural systems in climate resilience.
The event will feature curated discussions involving city officials, mayors, permaculture experts, architects, and UN organizations. Through these conversations, attendees will gain valuable insights into the collaborative efforts required to successfully integrate NbS into urban planning processes, ultimately contributing to the creation of more sustainable and resilient cities in the region.
Themes to be captured in the event includes:
Permaculture in Urban Planning: Showcasing efforts in Irbid, Jordan, and Zahle, Lebanon, integrating permaculture into urban planning for climate resilience.
Permaculture in Community Development: Highlighting community-based permaculture initiatives in Jordan and Lebanon, fostering resilience and social cohesion.
Permaculture at the Individual Scale: Discussing principles and practices of permaculture for sustainable urban gardening, addressing challenges and opportunities.
Objectives
To demonstrate the transformative power of permaculture as a cornerstone of sustainable urban development, by showcasing practical applications, community empowerment, and policy integration that collectively enhance ecological, social, and economic resilience in the face of climate change. Detailed objectives include community leaders from Irbid and Zahle sharing their experiences with:
• Educating and inspiring individuals and communities on the benefits and implementation of permaculture at various scales.
• Showcasing successful models and case studies to highlight the viability and impact of permaculture in urban settings.
• Advocating for the integration of permaculture into urban planning and policy, emphasizing its role in achieving climate resilience and sustainability goals.
• Fostering a network of knowledge exchange and collaboration among permaculture practitioners, educators, and policymakers.
• Promoting the virtual Community of Practice ‘Urban Water and Climate Resilience in the Arab Region’ which will be focusing on the session topic as well as other topics relevant for climate action in cities