Informal adaptation transforms cities. It also challenges a growing emphasis on formal planning, says Marcus Moench. The science is clear: the future holds more extreme climatic conditions. But what that means for people’s lives in specific locations, or for the globalised systems we all depend on, is uncertain. This is particularly true in the world’s growing urban areas, which also face rapid socio-economic and technological change. To understand and to catalyse responses to the challenges climate change will bring, research and applied innovation are essential. Those challenges include building resilience to disruption, or enabling adaptation — and in some cases fostering a transformation
Leaders from M-BRACE Cities met last week to share found challenges, opportunities, and regional linkages from the 4-year long engagement in Vietnamese and Thai cities. Core stakeholders from Hue and Lao Cai, Vietnam and Phuket and Udon Thani, Thailand—met in Hue last week for the USAID Mekong-Building Climate Resilience in Asian Cities (USAID M-BRACE) project’s final workshop. The participants shared how they have been assessing and responding to the complex challenges posed by urbanization and climate change. The challenges are magnified by increasing transportation and trade between the two countries as the impending launch of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Community
