No silver bullet: Addressing urban climate adaptation in the global south

Urban regions across the world are facing not only problems of increasing population, worn-out infrastructure and limited financial resources, but also combined impacts of climate change. Most cities are lacking in climate adaptation planning, which in turn exacerbates problems for poor populations and vulnerable areas as well as economic losses. A recent study published in the journal Global Environmental Change suggests that combined and well-defined approaches to adaptation and development planning eventually enable cities to reduce vulnerabilities of people and city infrastructures. Development planning deals with improvements to infrastructure so that cities becomes better place for their citizens; Adaptation planning also includes preventative measures that assure both people and infrastructure are better prepared for the impacts of climate change.

For the study, researchers from the University of Barcelona and Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducted field visits and analyzed climate adaptation planning approaches in three cities of middle-income countries facing serious developmental, financial, and capacity constraints: Quito, Ecuador; Surat, India; and Durban, South Africa. Based on the comparative assessment, the researchers found that each city has taken a different innovative approach to adaptation and development planning. Their assessment provides a better understanding of planning processes, implementation approaches and stakeholder engagement to achieve adaptation and development in the resource-constrained environment typical of urban settings.

Their evaluation was based on several indicators, including institutional settings, existing laws and policy, stakeholder involvement, decision-making structure, and multi-lateral agencies support. The resulting comparative analysis of adaptation and development planning illustrates key insights into how innovative approaches to integrate adaptation and development planning works in these cities. The similar and different approaches provide a better understanding of the relationship between adaptation planning processes, implementation approaches, and the levels of commitment across cities.

According to the study, Quito has adopted municipality-driven adaptation, which is led by municipal policymakers supported by local experts and international networks in accordance with the national government. Fundamentally, it is an adaptation planning-based approach. Surat, on the other hand, has adopted a donor-driven model based on a project-by-project approach that deals with infrastructure upgrading and service delivery improvement projects around water, sanitation, public health and social services. Durban, meanwhile, has adopted a department and leader-driven approach that has led to action in specific individual sectors but difficulties in implementing cross- integration.

The comparison of the three cities suggests that for effective planning and efficient implementation of municipal priorities, programs and policy-making is an important element, especially during early phases. However, for long term sustainability of adaptation planning and implementation there would be commitment within local government, strong political leadership, collective departmental engagement, municipality-wide participation, and stakeholder involvement.

Finally, adaptation planning combined with development planning can work only through a holistic approach, the researchers found. The planning should not be targeted at one sector or domain. Using resources for development is a chief priority, but local politics, histories, and institutional biases often shape the contexts within which adaptation plans and strategies are imagined. Plans that both encourage local ownership and generate climate and development co-benefits are more likely to succeed. Learning and sharing experiences through guidance documents, best practices and collaborative approaches will help the global south adapt and develop, eventually improving resilience and reducing the vulnerabilities of the most affected people.