Towards Urban Resilience

Southasiadisasters.net issue no. 114, July 2014: Cities and urban citizens are moving centre stage from HFA to HFA2 process. And that is overdue. We live in an era of unprecedented urbanization. Since 2008, for the first time in human history, more people live in cities and towns as compared to the countryside. Moreover, the number of city and town dwellers is expected to swell up to 5 billion by 2030. This great number has huge implications for the risk profile of urban centres. As the pressure on the resources of urban centres gets escalated, more and more people get pushed into the column of vulnerability. This issue of Southasiadisasters.net focuses on the theme of urban risk and resilience. This issue has been titled 'Towards Urban Resilience' as it contains articles detailing the efforts made by various agencies and organizations to reduce the risks faced by urban centres. The theme of urban resilience is also important to focus upon as it is inextricably linked to broad development outcomes. Meticulously researched and lucidly written, the articles in this issue provide the reader with a broad overview of the best practices and interventions apropos urban resilience with special focus on Asia. Interesting pieces such as the disaster risk reduction plan of Shajahanabad in Delhi and the pilot risk assessment of Ahmedabad have been included. This issue is a must read for all those who are interested in the broad and ever evolving area of urban resilience. And each write up offers new insight into shaping HFA2 for us all. The 114th issue of Southasiadisasters.net is titled ‘Towards Urban Resilience’ content includes: i. The Importance of Urban Resilience ii. The Urban Resilience Approach iii. How Resilient is India's Infrastructure? iv. Towards Urban Resilience v. Disaster Risk Reduction Plan Case: Shahjahanabad (Walled City), Delhi vi. Disaster Management in India: The Case of Mumbai Floods and Cyclone Phailin vii. South–South Cooperation for Cities in Asia viii. Urban Risks in Uttar Pradesh ix. Possible Heat Action Plans for Small Towns of India x. Cost Effective Green Building Techniques for Disaster Resilient Cities xi. Important Aspects of A Successful Safe City Approach xii. HIF Funds Three New Projects with Disaster Resilience Focus The contributions from Mihir R. Bhatt with AIDMI Team; Dr. A. K. Singh; David Sanderson; David South; Deepanjan Saha; Gulrez Shah Azhar, Priya Dutta, Ajit Rajiva and Dileep Mavalankar; Hari Baral; Leah Campbell; and Mutum Chaobisana Devi. Each contributor adds to HFA2 process. Themes: Urban Resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction Plan, HFA2, Urban Risk, Climate Change, Disaster Resilient Cities, Heat Waves, Safe City