In urban development, making cities more resilient is essential. Situated in Rotterdam, a city celebrated for its proactive stance on climate adaptation and resilience, the Urban Management Tools for Climate Change (UMTCC) course offers a comprehensive understanding of climate change tools, resilience strategies, and low-carbon development.
A unique feature of the course is the introduction of the innovative City Resilient Action Planning Tool (CityRAP). Developed by UN-Habitat, the tool is a vital resource for urban planners and stakeholders seeking to prepare their cities against climate change challenges. Through a strong partnership between UN-Habitat and the IHS team, participants are provided with an exclusive opportunity to attend a comprehensive training on the use of CityRAP. This handy tool equips participants with the skills to seamlessly integrate such practices into their urban planning processes.
Throughout the course, participants engage in various learning approaches such as lectures, case studies, dynamic group discussions and field visits to resilient Dutch cities. The course is rooted in the climate adaptation and resilience initiatives from Rotterdam. By delving into the Rotterdam Climate Initiative and Rotterdam Climate Proof Programmes, participants gain firsthand insights into innovative strategies and projects such as the Maeslantkering storm surge barrier and the Dakakker, the Netherlands' premier large harvestable green roof.
Cities need to act in response to climate change – this requires innovative tools and approaches and practitioners and professionals with the necessary skills to use them. Acting now is essential to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and to enable a more sustainable and resilient urban future.
-David Dodman, Director of IHS
As the course unfolds, participants will develop a local climate change action plan for a specific city and learn how to enhance urban climate resilience and low-carbon development in the practice of urban management. The collaborative teaching approach, blending the IHS and UN-Habitat expertise, cultivates a transformative learning environment, positioning participants to advocate for resilient urban development in their respective areas.
Cities are central to tackling the climate crisis and achieving global climate goals. Yet local government officials often lack the tools, capacity and financing to implement local climate action. This training course provides a deep dive into the necessary tools for climate-resilient urban planning, mobilizing climate finance, and driving transformative change to build sustainable and resilient cities.
- Lea Ranalder, Associate Programme Management Officer, Human Settlements, UN-Habitat
