Parallel Session 1.2: Adaptation of urban systems (Porous City)

Introduction
Urban systems constitute an important focus for adaptation planning given the high proportion of economic activity and human settlement in cities and surrounding areas that support the city. Urban systems vary in size, but in all cases, they are a significant portion of the national system, in terms of sectors and issues addressed, but also the connectivity that exists between cities and the rest of the countries in many basis services such as power, water resources, supply chains, etc. Adaptation in urban systems is an area of active research and activity, given the extent of impacts that are affecting 29 these areas in connection with climatic extremes, and significant losses that result.

Objectives

• Expand on the discussion on urban adaptation presented in plenary, and sharing of perspectives, experiences and lessons from recent shocks;
• Discuss how vulnerability and climate risk interconnect and interlink between urban areas and areas outside;
• Identify opportunities for aligning processes and actions at the urban/city level with national efforts.

Expected outcomes

• Better understanding of how national adaptation plans can and do link with efforts in urban systems to promote coherence and more effective adaptation, instead of thinking of these two levels as disjointed;
• Identify opportunities for future work including sharing of lessons in dealing with climate shocks across scales.

Agenda

• Recent trends on Climate Resilient Urban Architecture, Alberto G Perera, Reg. Architect & Urban Planner;
• Climate adaptation  and planning regarding Monrovia municipality, Benjamin S. Karmorh Jr.;
• Working with vulnerable communities in Thailand for better quality of life;