Empowering Climate-conscious Cities - Mainstreaming climate action into urban planning. Solutions from the global South
November 5, 2024 | 17:00 - 18:30
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Summary
Urban centers have a crucial role in fostering a sustainable global environment. Effective urban management and the implementation of climate-responsive urban solutions through spatial planning will be crucial in attaining ambitious sustainability objectives outlined in international accords, including the Paris Agreement, the Agenda 2030, and the New Urban Agenda. This city-to-city exchange aims to spotlight the critical role of cities in the transition towards low-carbon and climate resilient futures. This event aims to highlight practical ways for cities to integrate climate action into urban planning processes.
Representatives from secondary cities across the global South (India, South Africa, Thailand, the Phillipines,Mexico and Brazil) will converge to share their insights. Each city will present its unique challenges and contexts and showcase how they have incorporated climate action into their urban development strategies. The session will delve into various aspects of urban development, covering everything from developing climate-sensitive policies and spatial planning to implementing sustainable infrastructure projects. Attendees will get a comprehensive overview of how cities are making progress in these areas.
With a focus on inclusive and gender-responsive community engagement efforts, this session will showcase a range of successful approaches adopted by partner cities of three urban projects implemented by GIZ and UCLG ASPAC in 8 countries and 33 cities. This networking event serves as an excellent opportunity for climate change champions, newcomers, municipal change-makers and potential partners to forge connections, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations towards building more climate-resilient and sustainable cities. The event aims in particular to inspire newcomers and less experienced cities on their climate action journey.
In addition, the event will focus on gender-responsive and pro-poor approaches. It is crucial that urban development strategies are inclusive and leave no-one behind. Examples of gender-responsive activities from the cities will be presented.
The discussion will be build on the spotlights of six cities that have successfully mainstreamed climate into urban planning processes while considering inclusive approaches:
City of Mérida (México): Integrating adaptation into the municipal climate action plan and planning and implementing of small-scale nature-based solutions projects
Cities from the Amazon Region (Brasil): Sustainable and resilient spatial planning tool for climate-driven urban planning in delicate and crucial habitats.
City of uMhlathuze (South Africa): Pro-poor climate change adaptation on the neighborhood level
City of Coimbatore (India): Increased Urban Green Cover to address the urban heat island effect
Tagbilaran (Phillipines): Circular economy for low carbon cities
City of Khon Kaen (Thailand): On the to a low carbon transition through a waste-to-energy project
Objectives
The session aims to emphasize the critical role that cities play in transitioning to low-carbon and resilient futures. By highlighting tangible examples and success stories from GIZ partner cities worldwide, the session provides actionable insights and inspirational examples for urban leaders and planners. Networking and collaboration are integral to the session’s objectives. It serves as a platform for participants to connect, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations, fostering a community of like-minded urban development professionals and advocates. In particular, the event wants to inspire cities that stand at the beginning of their climate action journey.
By bringing together representatives from different cities worldwide, the event aims to foster practical discussions and collaborations. The event aims at peer-to-peer learning, sharing successful strategies, and working towards common goals. Participants will have the opportunity to share their ideas and initiate global connections.