Identifying, Evaluating and Prioritising Urban Adaptation Measures

Issues raised

Four (4) categories Context of CCA in urban areas Technical, research and training Policy directions Power and finance distribution and

allocation of responsibility

Context of CCA in Urban Areas

How adaptation links to development?

How to mainstream/integrate and relate them to national strategies and plans? Pro-poor?

How to assure social (.e.g. pro-poor) dimensions / security are considered in adaptation measures?

Context of CCA in Urban Areas

It was noted that cities are dynamic entities that do not exist in isolation of other external factors and drivers.

Part of the socio-ecological systems dependent and hence will be affected by climate impacts in other areas (e.g. rural sources of food).

Need to examine & understand how cities develop, how climate change will impact on its development in a sustainable manner, what response strategies should be adopted in urban cities, what are the identified thresholds of urban areas.

Context of CCA in Urban Areas

Infrastructure deficit / vulnerability; Who manages CCA in cities? What are the public involvement in

implementation? Funding constraints

Technical, research and training How to measure adaptation specific

for cities? What are the indicators to ensure

quality? How to engage different levels of

authorities and stakeholders in developing CCA for cities?

What would be best approach to guide CCA for cities?

Policy Directions

Adaptation to climate change should start by examining development plans and

strategies developing an understanding of how

future climate might impact on development options

specific recommendations for policy options.

Allocation of responsibility What are the roles of central and

local authorities? Note: different aspects/departments

Who will and how to focus on the urban poor and vulnerable?

What international communities can help? (i.e. UN and others)

Appropriate Next Steps: Suggestions & Recommendations to the Organisers/START Establish small task force/ steering group/

organisational entity charged with moving ahead with Urban Adaptation in Asia’s Coastal Megacities including START and their partners.

Rapid analysis of the status of knowledge and needs in ACME* on current progress and status of cities understanding of adaptation (*requires definition) and identify opportunities for addressing these needs.

START in cooperation with partners should documentation and dissemination sound principles that have been developed for adaptation undertaken by experienced stakeholders applicable to policy, education and development issues, at a variety of scales.

Appropriate Next Steps: Suggestions & Recommendations to the Organisers/START Support and participate in the Regional Climate

Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia to bring together science community, practitioners, including donors, ensuring explicit focus on Asian Coastal Megacities (ACME).

Facilitate sharing experience with other networks to leverage on existing city alliances.

Facilitate the cooperation amongst ACMEs to strengthen their capacity to access: Financial, Research, Knowledge, other

Develop a framework for monitoring and evaluating adaptation interventions in the ACMEs.