TERI-Rockefeller International Workshop on 'Resilient Cities - Experiences from ACCCRN in Asia and Beyond'

TERI and Rockefeller Foundation successfully organized an International Workshop on Resilient Cities- Experiences from Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN) in Asia and beyond on 29 January 2013 under the aegis of the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) 2013.

The inaugural session began with a welcome address by Dr R K Pachauri, Director General, TERI who stressed on the importance of building urban resilience followed by introductory remarks by Dr Ligia Noronha, Executive Director (Research Coordination), TERI who highlighted the growing inequality in cities. Dr Cristina Rumbaitis del Rio, Associate Director, Rockefeller Foundation delivered the special address where she gave an overview of ACCCRN initiatives in four Asian countries.

The workshop held two technical sessions which discussed concepts and approaches that are being tested and applied in various parts of the world to build cities resilience to climate change. It was followed by a Panel Discussion on Taking Resilience Agenda Forward.

The workshop also screened the TERI film Tales of Gorakhpur, which showcases the initiatives of TERI and other partners in the ACCCRN city, Gorakhpur. A Poster exhibit on ACCCRN experiences was also organized.

The workshop received an overwhelming participation from various organisations including ACCCRN partner organisations: Gorakhpur Environment Action Group (GEAG), TARU, ARUP, Institute for Social and Environmental Transition (ISET), ICLEI; International organisations like DFID, and media representation from organisations like BBC Climate Asia Project. There was representation from the government sector in ACCCRN cities as well.

Key learnings were derived from presentations made by ACCCRN partners and practitioners from organisations like: Metropolis, City Development Initiative for Asia, Asian Development Bank among others.

Deliberations at the workshop highlighted the importance of a cross sectoral approach for building urban climate resilience that is integrated at all governance levels, with a clear road map for funding city level resilience measures. Political will and community engagement were noted as key factors to sustain the process.