Climate Risks and Vulnerability Assessment for Smart City

Due to the concentration of people, economic activities, social and cultural institutions; urban areas have higher vulnerability to climate change-related disasters. Millions of urban dwellers around the globe have already experienced this direct existential threat. Therefore, it is imperative that city increase their adaptation and mitigation effort to manage the climate crisis. The first step for effective adaptation and mitigation of climate crisis is to have climate risks and vulnerability assessment in the local area. 

Climate Risks and Vulnerability Assessment is intended to understand the relevant climate risks and the vulnerability of the people, ecosystems, and sector in the area. The first step city needs to take is to identify the climate hazards that the urban area is vulnerable to. It can be certain climate event, such as heavy rain, extreme weather, direct physical impact such as flood, wildfire, or heatwave; or a slow onset trend such as snow melt, sea level rise and increase in average temperatures. Next, Climate Hazard Maps are required to show the location at risk, the frequency of the events and the spatial extent of the impact. The maps can then be organised and differentiated between high susceptible areas, moderate susceptible areas, and low susceptible areas.

In building the Climate Hazard Maps, inclusive and participatory process is critical. All stakeholders should be involved in the decision-making process to ensure that special consideration of different marginalised groups, such as women, youth, elderly, people with disability, indigenous communities and slum dwellers; are integrated into the maps and the plans. Inclusive and participatory decision making also ensure the effectiveness of the climate adaptation and mitigation plan in that they are accessible, transparent and include useful and relevant information, including for the people and sectors that are exposed to climate risks. 

Reference:

Urban Planning Law for Climate Smart Cities: The Urban Law Module of the Law and Climate Change Toolkit by UN Habitat

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