The recent catastrophic floods in China, Belgium and Germany underscore the importance of building climate-resilient cities. We represent a consortium that has proposed a comprehensive climate-adaptation programme to help guide urban decision-making and governance to better prepare for future climate-related events (see go.nature.com/3ctpwau).
Such efforts hinge on five principles learnt from earlier disasters. The world must improve early-warning systems and strengthen flood barriers and civil protection, in particular for smaller watersheds; develop ‘sponge’ cities and landscapes that harness nature-based flood-risk mitigation; carry out climate-risk assessments of crucial infrastructure such as hospitals, transport and freshwater supply; climate-proof exposed buildings; and reinforce action with strong political cooperation and solidarity, particularly with the most vulnerable groups of people.
We have the scientific knowledge to develop climate-resilient cities (see, for example, X. Bai et al. Nature 555, 23–25; 2018). However, political will and bold decisions will be essential for implementing the solutions and the necessary societal transformations.
Five principles for climate-resilient cities - Nature.com
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