Leveraging urban planning for climate resilience
Environment researcher contributes to UN-Habitat report identifying untapped solutions to address climate risks in urban areas
By Elanor Waslander and Chantal Vallis
Waterloo Climate Institute, Faculty of Environment
By 2040, 2 billion people living in cities are likely to be exposed to the impacts of climate change. It’s a reality that was a driving force behind the UN-Habitat's newly published World Cities Report 2024.
Cities and Climate Action, co-authored by Dr. Luna Khirfan from the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Environment and a Waterloo Climate Institute member, spotlights how cities can leverage urban planning and design for climate resilience. Her contributions to chapter 5 map solutions for climate action.
> Professor in the School of Planning
> Member of the Waterloo Climate Institute
“With smart, climate-focused urban planning, cities can protect lives, reduce emissions, and create healthier environments” Khirfan says. “This report highlights real pathways — from increasing urban green spaces to retrofitting urban spaces to protect vulnerable populations — to make cities more resilient, sustainable and equitable.”
The report urges cities to invest in nature-based solutions, like expanding nature in the city and strengthening defenses against floods. Specifically, Khirfan recommends incorporating climate action into urban planning and design frameworks with localized solutions, which should be more feasible today thanks to the availability of national urban policies, new building codes and zoning.
The practice of urban stream daylighting is an excellent example of a nature-based solution. In this example, the city of Zürich restored wetlands to enhance climate resilience against flooding from extreme rainfall events. The headline image is another example from Seoul where daylighting buried streams created flood resilient spaces that simultaneously supported active (walking and cycling) and passive enjoyment of the city. Source: Luna Khirfan.
However, the authors point out that various technical, financial and institutional barriers currently prevent many of these solutions from being enacted. The right political will is needed at both the national and local level. It then needs to be complemented by adequate funding and expertise so cities can work with communities, businesses and other stakeholders to promote climate-resilient urban communities that benefit residents.
The report identifies the urgent need for a people-centered approach, one where climate action addresses the vulnerabilities of urban populations while promoting nature-based solutions. It frames climate action around four critical issues: the global urgency of the climate threat, the unique role of cities, the need for inclusive and effective action and a just climate transition to ensure equitable outcomes.
Responding to climate change with purpose-driven research is core to Waterloo’s mission, outlined in Waterloo at 100. Khirfan is one of many exceptional researchers in the Waterloo community who is enacting the social, economic and geopolitical changes required to ensure a prosperous future for humanity and planet.
“I hope the report will inspire cities and local governments to integrate climate action into urban planning that is inclusive and transformative so that cities can take the lead in mitigating climate change while addressing the needs of vulnerable populations,” Khirfan shares.