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Guidance on Integrated Urban Hydrometeorological, Climate and Environment Services - Volume II : Demonstration Cities
This Guidance Volume II: Demonstration Cities presents an overview of the demand for integrated urban services and the particular practices of the integrated urban services implementation. This Guidance builds on examples from 27 demonstration cities and provides details of the types of integrated urban services and their placement within distinct administrative frameworks. The details from these cities are abstracted to create a map that illustrates the level of integration between services providers and between services and the economic sectors. According to the degree of integration, demons ...
Guidance on Integrated Urban Hydrometeorological, Climate and Environmental Services - Volume I : Concept and Methodology
This Guidance on Integrated Urban Hydrometeorological, Climate and Environment Services (Volume I: Concept and Methodology) serves to assist WMO Members in the development and implementation of the urban services that address the needs of the cities stakeholders in their countries.
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Mégapoles – Affi ner les modèles pour répondre aux besoins des clients
L’urbanisation galopante, la détérioration de l’environnement et le changement climatique rendent les personnes, les organisations et les entreprises plus vulnérables aux dangers météorologiques et environnementaux. La vie moderne nous oblige à rester à tout moment intimement conscients de l’état de notre environnement personnel – conditions météorologiques et climatiques, et qualité de l’air, de l’eau et du sol – au travail, au foyer ou pendant nos loisirs, à l’intérieur ou à l’extérieur.1234
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Megacities – Refining Models to Client Environment
Fast-growing urbanisation, environmental deterioration and climate change are making individuals, organisations and businesses more vulnerable to meteorological and environmental hazards. Modern life requires detailed knowledge about our immediate personal environment – the climate and weather as well as the air, water and soil quality – at work, home or play, may we be indoors or out.
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Strengthening urban resilience in Bangladesh
This brochure is part of a series highlighting the World Bank's achievements in disaster risk management initiatives. The brochure offers lessons learned on managing disaster risk and promoting urban resilience and it presents Bangladesh's path-breaking Urban Resilience Project, the product of a collaborative effort among the government, the World Bank, and GFDRR, which equips key government agencies with state-of-the art emergency management facilities and improves construction permitting processes.
Urban flooding of Greater Dhaka in a changing climate: building local resilience to disaster risk
World Bank, 2015This study’s overall aim is to provide local decision-makers an effective planning approach for minimizing the damage risk of rainfall-induced urban flooding in Dhaka in a changing climate. Specific objectives are to assess the vulnerability of the Greater Dhaka area to urban flooding and waterlogging, estimate probable economic damage due to climate change, develop structural adaptation measures, evaluate the reduction in economic damage resulting from implementing these measures, and estimate their cost.
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Climate resilient infrastructure services: lessons learned
The Climate Resilient Infrastructure Services (CRIS) program was an initiative of USAID’s Climate Change Resilient Development (CCRD) project. CRIS worked to improve the ability of cities in developing countries to provide reliable and sustainable infrastructure services that support smart and lasting development, even in a changing climate. For two-and-a-half years the CRIS program worked with cities to develop, test, and implement approaches to improve the climate resilience of infrastructure services. These services—which include transportation, water, sanitation and waste management, energ ...
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How can climate change vulnerability assessments best impact policy and planning? Lessons from Indonesia
This research looks at climate change vulnerability assessments (CCVAs) conducted in cities across Indonesia.
Two models are explored: one that was deployed in the cities of Semarang and Bandar Lampung through the Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN) programme, and another developed by UNDP and implemented by Yayasan Kota Kita in Manado and Makassar. They vary in duration, funding, emphasis on shared learning, stakeholder involvement, and external support; studying them helps indicate how different processes may have different impacts upon decision-making and ...
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Global estimates 2015: people displaced by disasters
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC); Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) - Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, 2015This annual report draws on information from a wide range of sources, including governments, UN and international organisations, NGOs and media, to provide up-to-date figures and analysis on displacement caused by disasters associated with rapid-onset geophysical and weather-related hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods and storms. The report, the sixth of its kind, aims to equip governments, local authorities, civil society organisations and international and regional institutions with evidence relevant to these key post-2015 agenda.
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Adaptation to climate change: From resilience to transformation
Pelling Mark - Routledge, 2015The book offers a critique of the dominant trends in thinking about adaptation and climate change, particularly social dimensions.
It presents a framework for making sense of choices around resilience (stability), transition (incremental social change and the exercising of existing rights) and transformation (new rights claims and changes in political regimes).
The resilience– transition–transformation framework is supported by three detailed case study chapters. These also illustrate the diversity of contexts in which adaption is unfolding, from organisations to ...
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Urban climate change resilience in action: lesson from projects in 10 ACCCRN cities
This portfolio of projects provides a ‘first generation’ view of how a set of cities have interpreted building urban climate change resilience (UCCR) challenges and translated their understanding into targeted priorities and actions, as a pioneering effort to advance on-the-ground actions. These projects seek to strengthen the capabilities of cities to plan, finance and implement UCCR strategies for coping with the inevitable impacts of climate change taking place now, and in the decades to come.
The document describes the projects capturing details from the various experiences ...
World risk report 2014: focus - the city as a risk area
Alliance Development Works ; United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) - UNU, 2014This WorldRiskReport (WRR) consists of an index, a priority topic and case studies. The index describes the disaster risk for various countries and regions. The WorldRiskReport was developed in close cooperation between scientists and practitioners. Combined expertise, i.e. scientific structure and procedure and practical competence distinguish this report from comparable academic studies.
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Cities and climate change: National governments enabling local action
OECD, 2014This report explores how enabling policy frameworks at the national level can support critical urban action to combat climate change. It argues that cities have a unique ability to address global climate change challenges and that local action takes place in the context of broader national frameworks that can either empower or slow down city-level action; therefore, supportive national and regional policies and incentives are required to ensure city-level initiatives have sufficient resources and potential to effect meaningful change. The report states that national policies often establish wh ...
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50 years of urbanization in Africa : examining the role of climate change
This paper documents a significant impact of climate variation on urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in more arid countries. By lowering farm incomes, reduced moisture availability encourages migration to nearby cities, while wetter conditions slow migration. The paper also provides evidence for rural-urban income links. In countries with a larger industrial base, reduced moisture shrinks the agricultural sector and raises total incomes in nearby cities. However, if local cities are entirely dependent on servicing agriculture so their fortunes move with those of agriculture, reduced ...
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Vulnerability profiling of cities: a framework for climate-resilient urban development in India
This working paper presents a holistic approach for how a city can customise its rapid vulnerability assessment in order to understand what is required for building climate resilience. The framework can be used to highlight the potential impact of climate change on urban services arising from the geographical setting of a city; the nature, size and density of its settlements; and the existing coping capacity of its society and governance system. The paper argues that the situation is aggravated by growing urban populations, high urban poverty and backlogs in the provision of basic infrastructu ...
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Building urban resilience to climate change in the secondary cities in Indonesia
Lassa Jonatan A.; Nugraha Erwin; Institute of Resource Governance and Social Change (IRGSC) - IRGSC, 2014This paper investigates the evolution of institutional transformation and policy change in the area of planing and building resilience to climate change in the Bandar Lampung City, Indonesia. It highlights the experience on how the city adapting to climate change through modified urban development policy. The paper also discusses challenges, barriers, and policy gaps in city-scale climate adaptation planning.
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Analysis of disaster risk management in Colombia: a contribution to the creation of public policies
World Bank, 2013This document evaluates the progress of risk management in Colombia proposes recommendations that will enable the Government to set up public policies in this area on a short-and long-term basis. It defines a set of recommendations so that disaster risk management becomes a State policy, emphasizing that improving land use and land occupation conditions is a priority in reducing the impact of disasters. The technical analysis included in the report is intended for those responsible for implementing disaster risk management policies, as well as professionals, researchers, and experts in the sub ...
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Urban poverty, food security and climate change
This paper argues that the high and volatile food prices that triggered a renewed interest in food security since the 2008–09 crisis are expected to continue due to the impacts of climate change. It notes that current policy is focused on food production; however, a broader approach based on food systems would be more appropriate as it encompasses all aspects of food production, storage, distribution and consumption. As most low-income groups in both rural and urban areas are net buyers of food, access and affordability are central concerns. There is also a need for more attention to urban foo ...
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CDP cities 2013: summary report on 110 global cities
2013This report present CDP, C40 and AECOM latest results from the third consecutive year of climate change reporting for cities. The data presented in the report conveys information about every aspect of climate change measurement and management in cities, including risks such as temperature increase/heatwaves, frequent/intense rainfall, drought, storms/flooding and sea level rise, and adaptation. It is intended to provide city governments with information and insights in order to assist their work in tackling the challenge of climate change.
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Urban disaster risk management in Latin American cities
Watanabe Eiji - ELLA, 2013Complex interactions between urban population dynamics, social processes and a wide variety of natural hazards are increasing the vulnerability of Latin American cities to disaster risk. So how are cities in the region aiming to strengthen disaster risk management?
This Guide begins by describing the complex interaction between processes of urbanisation and natural hazards that generate and intensify disaster risk in Latin America. It then provides a panorama of the evolution of urban disaster risk management in the region, including examples of key achievements towards building ...
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Capitalising on public transport: reducing GHG emissions in Latin American cities
Green Short Baptista V. - ELLA, 2013The transport sector is one of the largest contributors to global GHG emissions, both worldwide and in the Latin America region. In response, some cities in Latin America are taking steps to revamp their transport sectors as part of a strategy to mitigate GHG emissions. This Brief begins by discussing the environmental impacts of the transport sector before turning to three key Latin American transportation innovations: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems; bicycle lanes; and electric taxis. While stronger monitoring systems are still necessary, initial results do point to important mitigation effe ...
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Cities and Climate Change: Global Report on Human Settlements 2011
This comprehensive report by UN-Habitat, the Global Report on Human Settlements, examines the issue of climate change and urban areas, two areas whose effects are converging in dangerous ways that threaten environmental, economic, and social stability. The authors argue that global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from cities could be as high as 70 per cent, although without a globally accepted method of determining the scale of emissions it is hard to be sure. This report presents extensive analysis on all aspects of the issue in depth, with data provided in the annex.
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Global megatrend update: 6 From a unipolar to a multipolar world
EEA, 2013In 2010, the EEA produced its first assessment of global megatrends as part of its five-yearly assessment of the European environment’s state, trend and prospects (SOER 2010). In preparation for SOER 2015, the EEA is updating each of the megatrends, providing a more detailed analysis based on the latest data. This publication is one of the 11 updates being published separately in the second half of 2013 and early-2014. In 2014 the chapters will be consolidated into a single EEA technical report, which will provide the basis for the analysis of megatrends included in SOER 2015.
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Global megatrend update: 5 Continued economic growth?
EEA, 2013In 2010, the EEA produced its first assessment of global megatrends as part of its five-yearly assessment of the European environment’s state, trend and prospects (SOER 2010). In preparation for SOER 2015, the EEA is updating each of the megatrends, providing a more detailed analysis based on the latest data. This publication is one of the 11 updates being published separately in the second half of 2013 and early-2014. In 2014 the chapters will be consolidated into a single EEA technical report, which will provide the basis for the analysis of megatrends included in SOER 2015.
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Disaster risk reduction and livelihoods
FIC, 2013This study seeks to improve the overall knowledge of the relationship between disaster risk reduction (DRR) and livelihood strategies, to improve the understanding and gaps in knowledge, practice, and policy, and to improve the impact of donor-funded DRR programs carried out by implementing agencies. The report is organized as follows: (i) a comprehensive literature review on existing DRR practices is included, identifying gaps that should be explored in future research; (ii) the Haiti case study explores financial resilience in urban settings; (iii) the Nepal case study looks at traditional D ...
The demography of adaptation to climate change
UNFPA, 2013The document consolidates the knowledge, methods, and practices that emerged from the 2010 expert group meeting entitled "Population Dynamics and Climate Change II: Building for Adaptation" organized by UNFPA, IIED and the Colegio de México in Mexico City.
It intends to catalyze action in global, national and local communities around a more informed, data driven adaptation process, and to bring together disparate disciplines, from environment science to planning to social science and beyond. The use of spatial data is at the core of this agenda.
It is divided in ...
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Fourth session of the global platform for disaster risk reduction proceedings
UN/ISDR, 2013The proceedings of the Fourth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction highlight the four days of deliberations, discussions and presentations via various forums, which called for a shared vision and commitment for the next 30 years – a trans-generational compact for the sustainability of development. This Session generated critical and substantive advice for the preparation of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction, commonly called “HFA2”, and for the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, which will take place Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture in March ...
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Feeding an urban world: a call to action
This report focuses on the specific issue of urban food security, describing the demographic and environmental trends as well as food production and infrastructure challenges that impact supply and demand for food in urban areas. Before providing specific examples of the food security challenges faced by cities around the world, the authors propose a framework, or matrix, of issues for policymakers to use in developing and assessing urban food security strategies. The report focuses on case studies in the United States before looking in depth at Chicago, highlighting the city’s challenges as w ...
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Cities in developing countries and their development in response to climate change
Future Fit is a DFID Executive Management Committee initiative, to produce a vision and strategy for DFID’s response to the challenges and opportunities that climate change and resource scarcity pose for poverty reduction and development. The Future Fit strategy asks the question what strategic shifts in front line sectors - Food, Water, Energy, and Cities - are needed to protect development gains and respond to the challenge of climate change and resource scarcity. Answers to this question will feed into the review of the DFID business model and resource allocation. As part of this strategy D ...
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Flood risk management in Europe: the flood problem and interventions
Utrecht University, 2013This report investigates the nature of the flood risk problem and the path to flood risk governance in 18 vulnerable urban regions in 6 European countries: the UK, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. The report summarizes current thinking on the nature of the flood problem, the intended objectives, and the appropriate courses of action.
This report is the first in a series of four which were compiled by the STAR-FLOOD project.
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Guidebook - Increasing Climate Change Resilience of Urban Water Infrastructure : Based on a Case Study from Wuhan City, People’s Republic of China
ADB, 2013Th is guide describes a practical approach to bridge the gap between theoretical analyses of climate change impacts and the planning decisions that need to be made by city authorities and utility managers to increase climate change resilience of the water sector in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It focuses on answering the questions currently being asked by city planners and managers all over the world.
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A global urban risk index
Which cities have the highest risk of human and economic losses due to natural hazards? And how will urban exposure to major hazards change over the coming decades? This paper develops a global urban disaster risk index that evaluates the mortality and economic risks from disasters in 1,943 cities in developing countries. Concentrations of population, infrastructure, and economic activities in cities contribute to increased exposure and susceptibility to natural hazards. The three components of this risk measure are urban hazard characteristics, exposure, and vulnerability. For earthquakes, cy ...
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Ensuring robust flood risk management in Ho Chi Minh city
Ho Chi Minh City faces significant and growing flood risk. Recent risk reduction efforts may be insufficient as climate and socio-economic conditions diverge from projections made when those efforts were initially planned. This study demonstrates how robust decision making can help Ho Chi Minh City develop integrated flood risk management strategies in the face of such deep uncertainty. Robust decision making is an iterative, quantitative, decision support methodology designed to help policy makers identify strategies that are robust, that is, satisfying decision makers' objectives in many pla ...
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GIZ training on flood risk management in cities
Germany - Government, 2013This paper addresses the growing risks of flooding in cities and presents GIZ's expertise in the domain. It introduces hazards involved in urban flooding and describes the main contents of the GIZ training course for urban flood risk management. It also includes a case study examining flood risk and governance in Vietnam. The paper was developed by the working group for Water and Sanitation in Asia.
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Urbanization and climate change impacts on future urban flooding in Can Tho city, Vietnam: In Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 17
Huong H.T.L.; Pathirana A. - 2013Urban development increases flood risk in cities due to local changes in hydrological and hydrometeorological conditions that increase flood hazard, as well as to urban concentrations that increase the vulnerability. The relationship between the increasing urban runoff and flooding due to increased imperviousness is better perceived than that between the cyclic impact of urban growth and the urban rainfall via microclimatic changes. The large-scale, global impacts due to climate variability and change could compound these risks. We present the case of a typical third world city – Can Tho (the ...
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Exploring innovations in disaster education in Kesennuma 1
This report shows the relationship of specific activities to the five priorities for action of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) and the strategic objectives governing them. It reveals the overall connection of national efforts to the expectations of the HFA and makes clear the significance of the progress that has been made since 2005, as described in voluntary self-reporting from countries and regional organizations. The report: (i) highlights some catalysts that engender progress in disaster risk reduction (DRR); (ii) presents an overview provided by individual countries regarding progre ...
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Preparing for disasters in global cities: an international comparison
This research report aims to illustrate current trends in research and practice concerning the management of disasters in cities around the world. The report particularly focuses on understanding cities’ contemporary approaches to risk management, exploring aspects of disaster preparedness and risk assessment, response and countermeasures, and the institutions and collaboration involved in current processes of disaster risk management. Beside this analysis of the status quo in cities in different world regions, it draws on a strong examination of the trends in disaster research to also explore ...
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Synthesis report on consultations on the post-2015 framework on disaster risk reduction (HFA2)
UN/ISDR, 2013This synthesis report provides countries and all stakeholders with an overview of the issues emerging to date on the consultations and development of a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction (HFA2). The key purpose of this report is to provide the basis for continued consultations, and to inform a draft HFA2 following the Fourth Session of the Global Platform in May 2013.
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Adaptation inspiration book: 22 implemented cases of local climate change adaptation to inspire European citizens
Asian water development outlook 2013 - measuring water security in Asia and the Pacific
ADB, 2013This study provides a quantitative and comprehensive view of water security in the countries of Asia and the Pacific. By focusing on critical water issues, it provides finance and planning leaders with recommendations on policy actions to improve water governance and guidance on investments to increase their country's water security. The authors stress that the social, economic, and political consequences of water shortages are real, as are the effects of water-related disasters exacerbated by climate change.
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Embedding climate change resilience in coastal city planning: early lessons from Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
This ‘Inside story on climate compatible development’ by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network summarises guidelines for climate change adaption in the coastal city of Cartagena de Indias in Colombia. It outlines the process leading to creation of the guidelines and highlights how they lay the foundation for a full municipal adaptation plan. According to the brief, the government of Colombia is also closely following the progress of this municipal process, which will influence the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan and similar approaches in other coastal cities and towns in ...
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Preparing for the rising tide
This report discusses current models prediction that Boston will experience up to two feet of sea level rise by 2050 and up to six feet by 2100, and it provides vulnerability analyses for Boston Harbor and time-phased preparedness plans for Boston’s long and central wharves and UMass Boston campus to increase their resilience to coastal flooding over time.
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Pounds of prevention, a disaster risk reduction story: focus on Guatemala
This edition focuses on the accomplishments in strengthening the ability of 27 remote Guatemalan communities to prepare for and respond to disasters. Among its many accomplishments, the program has facilitated the creation of a dedicated office to manage all facets of municipal risk management. The committed and trained staff members serve as liaisons to government officials, oversee risk reduction projects, manage emergency shelters, coordinate with local police and fire departments, and plug into the wider national emergency response system to ensure the effectiveness of all related investme ...
Community-based landslide risk reduction: managing disasters in small steps
This book has two main aims: to demonstrate to international development agencies, governments, policy makers, project managers, practitioners, and community residents that landslide hazard can often be reduced in vulnerable urban communities in the developing world, and to provide practical guidance for those in charge of delivering Management of Slope Stability in Communities (MoSSaiC) on the ground. The purpose of the book is to take readers into the most vulnerable communities in order to understand and address rainfall-triggered landslide hazards in these areas.
Investing in resilience: ensuring a disaster-resistant future
NCCARF, 2013This report examines the impacts on the built environment of increased intensities in weather-related natural hazard events, in order to identify the possibilities of using the regulatory mechanisms of building construction, housing insurance and planning in climate change adaptation. The research findings are restricted to these three aspects of the built environment, and further concentrated on adaptation responses that may be required in mitigation of the impacts of three types of hazards; tropical cyclones, floods and bushfires. Adaptation of the built environment to climate change is pred ...
IRGSC working paper, 03. Conceptualizing an established network of a community based flood early warning system: Case of Jakarta
This paper conceptualizes the established practice of a real world flood warning system and uses social network analysis in visualizing the transmission of flood warning messages in Cawang, Jakarta. It also contributes to the academic literature concerning the innovation in early warning systems research.
The post hyogo framework: what’s next for disaster risk reduction?
Oxfam, 2013This document outline's Oxfam's core recommendations for HFA2, the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and successor to the Hyogo Framework for Action. As a core principle, it asserts that the HFA2 should enshrine equity and accountability as the primary drivers of DRR to provide an unambiguous direction for the negotiation of the agreement and its subsequent implementation at local, national, regional and international levels.
Planning, connecting, and financing cities-now: priorities for city leaders
World Bank, 2013This report provides Mayors and other policymakers with a policy framework and diagnostic tools to anticipate and implement strategies that can prevent their cities from locking into irreversible physical and social structures, including: improving living conditions, especially in slums and hazard-prone areas; bridging the divided cities (inclusion); expanding the coverage and quality of basic infrastructure services; and managing the city’s physical form.
Disaster risk reduction in urban areas
This document presents the disaster risk reduction (DRR) processes developed in several Latin American cities. It shows the benefits of making risk reduction an integral part of local development. It also highlights the importance of good information for risk assessment, government-civil society collaboration, and links between local, national and regional levels of government. It is intended to offer a wealth of lessons for African and South Asian counterparts embarking on their own urban risk reduction processes.
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Séisme en Haïti: bilan et Regards sur trois ans d'actions
CRF, 2013Ce rapport présente le bilan de l’action humanitaire en faveur des victimes du terrible séisme qui a dévasté Haïti et sa capitale 12 janvier 2010. Après trois ans d’actions sans relâche en Haïti, la Croix-Rouge française est convaincue qu’il faut prendre en considération l'ensemble des vulnérabilités du pays et prône une mobilisation constante pour enrayer l’enchainement régulier de catastrophes, en luttant contre la pauvreté et en renforçant les capacités des acteurs locaux. Au travers de ce rapport, la Croix-Rouge s'engage à poursuivre ses efforts pour renforcer la résilience des populations ...
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Desarrollando ciudades resilientes
Boletín, Vol. 60(2). OMM, 2012El riesgo de desastres es un problema que va en aumento en las áreas urbanas, donde se concentran tanto la población como los activos económicos. Una campaña lanzada en mayo de 2010 ha creado una red mundial de gobiernos locales comprometidos con la reducción del riesgo y con la construcción de ciudades más resistentes.
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Reducción del riesgo de desastre en las ciudades: la experiencia de la República de Corea
Nuestra capacidad de reducir el riesgo de desastres depende del compromiso total de los gobiernos locales.
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Повышение устойчивости городов к бедствиям
Бюллетень, Том 60(2). BMO, 2012Опасность бедствий становится все более серьезной проблемой в городах, где сосредоточены население и экономическая инфраструктура. В рамках кампании, организованной в мае 2010 г., создана глобальная сеть местных органов власти, задачей которой является уменьшение опасности бедствий и повышение устойчивости городов к бедствиям.
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Уменьшение опасности бедствий в городах – опыт Республики Корея
Наши возможности уменьшить опасность бедствий зависят от полноценного участия местных органов власти. Когда центральные и местные органы власти работают сообща, они могут представлять собой внушительный альянс в деятельности по уменьшению опасности.
Tools for building urban resilience: integrating risk information into investment decisions pilot cities report (Jakarta and Can Tho)
This report explores practical approaches to building urban resilience, focusing on tools and methodologies that can facilitate the use of risk information in public infrastructure investment and urban management decisions as integral elements of reducing disaster and climate risks. It demonstrates that risk-based methodology focused on building urban resilience can be implemented within a range of contexts, with risk assessments as crucial tools for decision-makers. It encourages national, local and city level governments to invest in geospatial risk information, as well as making risk inform ...
GAW Report, 205. WMO/IGAC Impacts of Megacities on Air Pollution and Climate
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; International Global Atmospheric Chemistry project (IGAC) - WMO, 2012The World Meteorological Organization and the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) project have released a study of how megacities affect the climate and pollute the atmosphere. The report concludes that rapid urbanization will pose serious health risks to city dwellers unless stronger efforts are made to reduce pollution.
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Integrated Urban Water Management - Lessons and Recommendations from Regional Experiences in Latin America, Central Asia, and Africa
The purpose of this working paper is to review a set of Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) initiatives and pilot studies funded by the World Bank’s Water Partnership Program (WPP) in Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, and Central Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
The report is structured into three chapters:
(1)Introduces the main concepts of IUWM;
(2)Reviews the findings of 10 case studies;
(3)Puts forward recommendations to sustain and enhance the scope of IUWM activities;
Climate change & Singapore: challenges, opportunities, partnerships
Singapore - gov, 2012This document outlines the current thinking about climate change and its implications for Singapore. It also highlights the initiatives and strategies they are pursuing to prepare for the challenges that climate change poses. The document covers i) the climate change imperative; ii) global mission, national vision, local action; iii) climate change and why it matters; iv) sustainable development: Singapore’s national circumstances v) mitigation: reducing emissions; vi) adapting to climate change: a more resilient singapore; vii) opportunities for green growth; viii) building our future togethe ...
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Post-hyogo framework for action discussion for increased disaster resilience
ACT, 2012This document outlines ACT Alliance's commitment to humanitarian principles, the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), how ACT aims to meet its disaster resilience commitments through the post-HFA framework, and how ACT members can get involved.
Environmental legislation for disaster risk management: module 1
Gupta Anil K.; Nair Sreeja S.; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); et al. - India Government, 2012“Environmental Legislation for Disaster Risk Management”, training module is based on the analysis of global context of environmental laws, policies and approaches of integrating environment and disaster risk management. This module cites examples of legal and policy framework from across the world, along with special references to the Indian legal framework and disaster management.
City resilience in Africa: a ten essentials pilot
Permezel Melissa; Ebalu Oscar; United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) - UN/ISDR, 2012This publication reports on the outcomes of a pilot project to ‘operationalize’ the Making Cities Resilient Campaign in three cities in Africa – Narok and Kisumu in Kenya and Moshi in Tanzania, commenced in 2012 by the UNISDR regional office for Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. It also describes disaster prevention activities undertaken by pilot cities, and provides assessment and analysis of city resilience according to the Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient: 1. Institutional and administrative frameworks; 2. Financing and Resources; 3. Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment – Know Your Risk; 4. Infr ...
Flood risk and water management in the Netherlands: a 2012 update
Slomp Robert - Netherlands - Government, 2012This report describes Dutch context of flood risk management, institutions involved, disasters that influence flood risk policy and disaster management, flood protection standards for flood defenses, financial issues, urban planning and the choice not to insure against flood risk.
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Disaster risk management and adaptation to climate change: experience from German development cooperation
German Government, 2012This publication aims to pinpoint commonalities between disaster risk management and adaptation to climate change. It describes the experience gathered from German development cooperation’s work in seven countries, which we see as a stimulus to aim for more effective and efficient interaction between the two fields and to work towards a significant reduction of risk in our partner countries by implementing risk management measures adapted to the respective conditions.
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The World’s Worst Pollution Problems : Assessing Health Risks at Hazardous Waste Sites
The World’s Worst Pollution Problems: Assessing Health Risks at Hazardous Waste Sites report reveals that close to 125 million people are at risk from toxic pollution across 49 low to middle-income countries. Also, the report, for the first time estimates the total global burden of disease attributed to toxic pollution from industrial sites in these countries. It establishes the global burden of disease from toxic pollution as on par with better-known public health problems such as malaria and tuberculosis.
Learning from megadisasters knowledge notes
This document includes a set of 32 notes grouped into six thematic clusters: (i) structural measures; (ii) non-structural measures; (iii) emergency response; (iv) reconstruction planning; (v) hazard and risk information and decision making; and (vi) economics of disaster risk, risk management, and risk financing. The notes are collecting and analyzing information, data, and evaluations performed by academic and research institutions, non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and the private sector—all with the objective of sharing Japan’s knowledge on disaster risk management (DRM) ...
Building urban resilience: principles, tools and practice
World Bank, 2012This report is divided into three major sections designed to give urban planners and practitioners an intuitive and easy way to build elements of resilience into their urban governance and city planning. It includes case studies and tables providing good practice examples and further details.
Building urban resilience to climate change: what works where, and why
This document reports on a resilience-building curriculum that includes laying the groundwork for addressing climate change and climate resilience, conducting a climate change vulnerability and risk assessment, and using this assessment and other materials to prepare an initial resilience strategy, developed in 15 cities in 5 countries — Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Thailand and the United States.
Coastal communities and climate change: maintaining future insurability
Lloyd's, 2012This report looks at the impact of climate change on flood risk at a number of coastal locations around the world, considering sea-level rise, the effect of wind speed on storm surges and, at one location, changes in land use. It investigates the impact on: (i) an unprotected property with no flood defences on a Caribbean island, the coasts of which are exposed to hurricanes and their associated storm surges; (ii) a building on the coast of a northern European country protected by flood defences against up to a 1-in-100 year storm surge event; (iii) a property on the coast of a northern Europe ...
State of the world’s cities 2012/2013: the prosperity of cities
This Report focuses on the notion of prosperity and its realisation in urban areas. It calls for a new type of city – one that: (i) is more 'people-centred;' (ii) includes vital dimensions such as quality of life, adequate infrastructures, equity and environmental sustainability; (iii) reduces disaster risks and vulnerabilities for the poor; (iv) builds resilience; (v) creates harmony; and (vi) promotes prosperity; and stimulates local job creation and social diversity. It recommends that those engaged in development work need to explore a more inclusive notion of prosperity and development.
Making cities resilient report 2012
UN/ISDR, 2012This report provides a snapshot of resilience building activities at the local level and identifies trends in the perceptions and approaches of local governments toward disaster risk reduction. It examines factors that enable urban disaster risk reduction activities, including how the global campaign Making Cities Resilient – “My City is Getting Ready!” founded by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) in conjunction with over twenty partners has helped improve local knowledge of disaster risk and support capacity building.
Knowledge Centre on Cities and Climate Change
This Knowledge Centre on Cities and Climate Change (in short: K4C) helps you to keep track of what is happening in the field of cities and climate change, by serving as a platform for sharing experiences and best practices, as well as facilitating exchange of innovative initiatives.
K4C provides you with access to hundreds of publications and reports and a world map provides you with an overview of cities, countries and regions for which good practice examples and documents are available. Moreover, through K4C you can get in touch directly with institutions and communities that are prom ...
Mitigation of urban vulnerability through a spatial multicriteria approach: In Disaster Advance, Vol. 5 (3), July 2012
This study aims to address seismic risk management and how it is generally carried out through strategies aiming to reduce seismic vulnerability in buildings, to enhance structural features, and to reduce vulnerabilities in the whole urban system. It also addresses how resilience becomes strategic in preparing for post-emergency phases and how resilience is strategic to managing seismic risk and reducing urban vulnerability. It presents results from tests conducted in southern Italy which considered closeness to urban centers, map of seismic hazard, and seismic vulnerability of buildings.
State of Arab cities 2012
UN-Habitat, 2012This report, the first report in the UN-Habitat series on the state of cities to focus on the Arab world, highlights issues of environmental and natural disasters, risk and vulnerability, within a collective picture of urban conditions and trends in each of four Arab regions - Maghreb, Mashreq, Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) and Southern Tier. It provides a discussion of the similarities, differences and linkages between these countries in the context of a larger Arab region.
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Municipal ICT Capacity and its Impact on the Climate-Change Affected Urban Poor: the case of Mozambique
World Bank, 2012
A Workbook on Planning for Urban Resilience in the Face of Disasters: Adapting Experiences from Vietnam’s Cities to Other Cities
This comprehensive work book provides tips on urban adaptation drawn from efforts to boost climate resilience in cities in Vietnam. It has been produced by the World Bank Group and is intended to assist policymakers in developing countries plan for anticipated impacts of climate change. The work book is designed to provide a user-friendly, step-by-step approach to national, provincial and local planning. It is argued that the potential impacts of natural disasters and climate change should be considered in nearly every aspect of urban planning and development.
Climate change, disaster risk, and the urban poor: cities building resilience for a changing world
Baker Judy L. - World Bank, 2012This study study examines the inter linkages between climate change, disaster risk, and the urban poor. This study calls on cities to take a lead role in proactively addressing the risks of climate change and natural hazards at the local level, with a focus on populations at highest risk. It suggests a number of actions that cities can take to build resilience, beginning with mainstreaming pro-poor risk reduction policies into urban planning and management.
How to make cities more resilient: a handbook for local government leaders
UN/ISDR, 2012This handbook provides mayors, governors, councillors and other local government leaders with a generic framework for risk reduction and points to good practices and tools that are already being applied in different cities for that purpose. It discusses why building disaster resilience is beneficial; what kind of strategies and actions are required; and how to go about the task. It offers practical guidance to understand and take action on the "Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient" as set out in the global campaign "Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready!".
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Cities and Flooding: a Guide to Integrated Urban Flood Risk Management for the 21st Century
World Bank, 2012Cities and Flooding: A Guide to Integrated Urban Flood Risk Management for the 21st Century provides forward-looking operational assistance to policy makers and technical specialists in the rapidly expanding cities and towns of the developing world on how best to manage the risk of floods. It takes a strategic approach, in which appropriate risk management measures are assessed, selected and integrated in a process that both informs and involves the full range of stakeholders.
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Analysis on the impact of aerosol optical depth on surface solar radiation in the Shanghai megacity, China
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP), Vol. 11. N° 7. Xu J.; Li C.; Shi H.; et al. - Copernicus GmbH, 2011This study investigated the decadal variation of the direct surface solar radiation (DiSR) and the diffuse surface solar radiation (DfSR) during 1961–2008 in the Shanghai megacity as well as their relationships to Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) under clear-sky conditions. Three successive periods with unique features of long term variation of DiSR were identified for both clear-sky and all-sky conditions: a "dimming" period from the late 1960s to the mid 1980s, a "stabilization"/"slight brightening" period from the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s, and a "renewed dimming" period thereafter. During the ...
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Impact of model grid spacing on regional- and urban- scale air quality predictions of organic aerosol
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP), Vol. 11. N° 7. Stroud C.A.; Makar P.A.; Moran M.D.; et al. - Copernicus GmbH, 2011Regional-scale chemical transport model predictions of urban organic aerosol to date tend to be biased low relative to observations, a limitation with important implications for applying such models to human exposure health studies. We used a nested version of Environment Canada's AURAMS model (42- to- 15- to- 2.5-km nested grid spacing) to predict organic aerosol concentrations for a temporal and spatial domain corresponding to the Border Air Quality and Meteorology Study (BAQS-Met), an air-quality field study that took place in the southern Great Lakes region in the summer of 2007. The use o ...
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Insights into the secondary fraction of the organic aerosol in a Mediterranean urban area: Marseille
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP), Vol. 11. N° 5. El Haddad I.; Marchand N.; Temime-Roussel B.; et al. - Copernicus GmbH, 2011A comprehensive aerosol characterization was conducted at Marseille during summer, including organic (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), major ionic species, radiocarbon (14C), water-soluble OC and HULIS (HUmic LIke Substances), elemental composition and primary and secondary organic markers. This paper is the second paper of a two-part series that uses this dataset to investigate the sources of Organic Aerosol (OA). While the first paper investigates the primary sources (El Haddad et al., 2010), this second paper focuses on the secondary fraction of the organic aerosol.
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Primary sources of PM2.5 organic aerosol in an industrial Mediterranean city, Marseille
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP), Vol. 11. N° 5. El Haddad I.; Marchand N.; Wortham H.; et al. - Copernicus GmbH, 2011Marseille, the most important port of the Mediterranean Sea, represents a challenging case study for source apportionment exercises, combining an active photochemistry and multiple emission sources, including fugitive emissions from industrial sources and shipping. This paper presents a Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) approach based on organic markers and metals to apportion the primary sources of organic aerosol in Marseille, with a special focus on industrial emissions. Overall, the CMB model accounts for the major primary anthropogenic sources including motor vehicles, biomass burning and the a ...
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Three-year ground based measurements of aerosol optical depth over the Eastern Mediterranean: the urban environment of Athens
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP), Vol. 11. N° 5. Gerasopoulos E.; Amiridis V.; Kazadzis S.; et al. - Copernicus GmbH, 2011Three years (2006–2008) of ground-based observations of the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) in the urban environment of Athens, in the Eastern Mediterranean, are analysed in this work. Measurements were acquired with a Multi-Filter Rotating Shadowband Radiometer at five wavelengths. The daily average AOD at 500 nm is 0.23, and the mean Ångström coefficient calculated between 415 and 867 nm is 1.41. The annual variability of AOD has a spring maximum dominated by coarse dust particles from the Sahara (AOD 0.34–0.42), while the diurnal pattern is typical for urban sites, with AOD steadily increasing ...
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Evaluation of urban surface parameterizations in the WRF model using measurements during the Texas Air Quality Study 2006 field campaign
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP), Vol. 11. N° 5. Lee S.-H.; Kim S.-W.; Angevine W.M.; et al. - Copernicus GmbH, 2011The performance of different urban surface parameterizations in the WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) in simulating urban boundary layer (UBL) was investigated using extensive measurements during the Texas Air Quality Study 2006 field campaign. The extensive field measurements collected on surface (meteorological, wind profiler, energy balance flux) sites, a research aircraft, and a research vessel characterized 3-dimensional atmospheric boundary layer structures over the Houston-Galveston Bay area, providing a unique opportunity for the evaluation of the physical parameterizations. The m ...
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Measurements of volatile organic compounds at a suburban ground site (T1) in Mexico City during the MILAGRO 2006 campaign: measurement comparison, emission ratios, and source attribution
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP), Vol. 11. N° 3. Bon D.M.; Ulbrich I.M.; de Gouw J.A.; et al. - Copernicus GmbH, 2011Volatile organic compound (VOC) mixing ratios were measured with two different instruments at the T1 ground site in Mexico City during the Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations (MILAGRO) campaign in March of 2006. A gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) quantified 18 light alkanes, alkenes and acetylene while a proton-transfer-reaction ion-trap mass spectrometer (PIT-MS) quantified 12 VOC species including oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) and aromatics. A GC separation system was used in conjunction with the PIT-MS (GC-PIT-MS) to evaluate PIT-MS measurements an ...
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Size and time-resolved roadside enrichment of atmospheric particulate pollutants
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP), Vol. 11. N° 3. Amato F.; Viana M.; Richard A.; et al. - Copernicus GmbH, 2011Size and time-resolved roadside enrichments of atmospheric particulate pollutants in PM10 were detected and quantified in a Mediterranean urban environment (Barcelona, Spain). Simultaneous data from one urban background (UB), one traffic (T) and one heavy traffic (HT) location were analysed, and roadside PM10 enrichments (RE) in a number of elements arising from vehicular emissions were calculated. Tracers of primary traffic emissions (EC, Fe, Ba, Cu, Sb, Cr, Sn) showed the largest REs (>70%). Other traffic tracers (Zr, Cd) showed lower but still consistent REs (25–40%), similar to those obtai ...
Cities and Climate Change: global Report on Human Settlements (Abridged report)
UN-Habitat, 2011Cities and Climate Change reviews the linkages between urbanization and climate change, two of the greatest challenges currently facing humanity in the 21st Century, and whose effects are converging in dangerous ways. It illustrates the significant contribution of urban areas to climate change while at the same time highlighting the potentially devastating effects of climate change on urban populations. It reviews policy responses, strategies and practices that are emerging in urban areas to mitigate and adapt to climate change, as well as their potential achievements and constraints. In concl ...
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Integrated Urban Flood Management Manual
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Global Water Partnership (GWP); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - WMO, 2011This training manual addresses a broad spectrum of relevant issues in this emerging field of integrated urban flood management. It is expected to provide course participants and practitioners with best practice concepts and application with the intention to further inform and engage stakeholders in promoting integrated and cooperative approaches in water management in general. The manual integrates expertise from disciplines such as hydrology, sociology, economics, architecture, urban design, construction and water resources engineering and management. The subject is approached from an interna ...
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How urban societies can adapt to resource shortage and climate change
Satterthwaite D. - The Royal Society, 2011The increased pressures on the world’s natural resources and ecological systems in the past century, has been accompanied by rapid urban population growth. Urban centres themselves have ecological reputations since they drive unsustainable environmental change, rapidly increasing the use of fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions due to increasing per capita consumption levels. They also lead to high levels of resource use and waste generation, causing serious ecological consequences locally, regionally and globally, especially in terms of climate change. However, addressing the issue of urb ...
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Cities and Climate Change: an urgent agenda
World Bank, 2011The report, Cities and Climate Change: An Urgent Agenda, says that up to 80 percent of the expected $80 billion to $100 billion per year in climate change adaptation costs will likely be borne by urban areas. Nevertheless, says the report, climate change offers cities opportunities to alter course, implement smart policies, and develop sustainable communities. Well managed, dense cities are also shown to be the most important pre-requisite to mitigation of GHG emissions and overall sustainable development.
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Cities of the future — how will European cities adapt to new climate conditions?
EEA, 2011Cities and towns are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and will need to find innovative ways to adapt. Now is the time to start rethinking urban design and management — yet few have taken concrete action.
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Synoptic Typing and Its Application for Evaluating Climatic Impact on Air Quality in Urumqi
Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters, Volume 3 Number 6. Wang Li-Li; Wang Yue-Si; Li Yuan-Yuan - Science Press, 2010An automated procedure employing principal-component analysis and a two-stage cluster analysis was developed to classify the synoptic meteorological conditions prevailing over Urumqi, one of the most heavily polluted cities in the world. Six clusters representing different circulation patterns and air-mass characteristics were classified using surface- and upper-meteorological variables during the heating period from 2001 to 2008, and the relationships between synoptic clusters and air quality were evaluated. The heaviest air-pollution episodes occurred when Urumqi was in either an extremely c ...
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L’état des Villes Africaines 2010 : gouvernance, inégalité et marchés fonciers urbains
ONU-Habitat, 2010La présent rapport se penche sur les processus et les grands
thèmes qui concernent plus particulièrement l’Afrique, en les
illustrant à l’aide de données récentes et d’exemples parlants.
Il se concentre sur les villes mais sans appliquer de seuil bien
défini aux zones de peuplement dont il traite, le sujet étant
l’urbanisation et les zones urbaines en général
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The State of African Cities 2010: Governance, Inequalities and Urban Land Markets : governance, Inequalities and Urban Land
UN-Habitat, 2010The State of the African Cities 2010 goes above and beyond the first report, which provided a general overview of housing and urban management issues in Africa. With the subtitle: Governance, inequity and urban land markets, the report uncovers critical urban issues and challenges in African cities, using social and urban geography as the overall entry points. While examining poverty, slum incidence and governance, the report sheds more light on inequity in African cities, and in this respect follows the main theme of the global State of the World’s Cities 2010 report. Through a regional analy ...
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Industrial pollution and urban environment:a case study of Narayangonj Pourashava: the negative long-term impact of industrial waste
There has been a remarkable and refreshing interest in urban environment over the past few years. New development means some specific sectors and different sectors economic advancement. Advanced nations are economically developed and no doubt developing countries are more concern about economic development. One of the important sectors of economic development in developing world is manufacturing industries. Developing countries has industries promoted and motivated or controlled by different advanced foreign nations which sometimes contradict with the urban land use and environment and become ...
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Warming not due to urban heating says research : In Reporting Climate Science
Clifford Leon - 2010Surface temperature increases appear to be independant of wind speed suggesting that urban heating is not responsible for the long-term observed surface warming trend, according to new research that is to be published shortly.
IOM Report, 81. Initial Guidance to Obtain Representative Meteorological Observations at Urban Sites
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Agricultural Meteorology Programme (AgMP), 90. Agrometeorological Aspects of Organic Agriculture, Urban Agriculture, Indoor Agriculture and Precision Agriculture
There has been a steady change in the nature of food production over the last few years. In all regions of the world there has been a shift towards organic production methods by limited numbers of producers with a view to a more earth-friendly form of production. There has also been a world-wide development of urban agriculture, particularly in regions with rapidly increasing urban populations, and difficulty in deriving maximum benefit from rural resources to feed the urban population. Likewise, the increase in indoor production has been marked over the last decade. Indoor production allows g ...
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Opening address at the International Congress of Biometeorology and International Conference on Urban Climatology
Obasi G.O.P; World Meteorological Organization (WMO) - WMO, 2001 (SG's lectures, speeches, statements-No. 115)
World Climate Applications and Services Programme (WCASP), 50. Biometeorology and urban climatology at the turn of the millennium : selected papers from the Conference ICS-ICUC'99
Dear Richard J.de; World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - WMO, 2000 (WMO/TD-No. 1026)
Comprehensive assessment of the freshwater resources of the world
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations (UN); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); et al. - WMO, 1997Few would dispute that urban water systems should be both healthy and sustainable. Ideally, along with efficiency, these are central pillars in every urban water strategy. Unfortunately, the narrow pursuit of health can undermine the sustainability of water systems, and vice versa. Such trade-offs must not be rationalised away, but recognised in order to develop diversified and better aimed water strategies. It is crude policies, such as promoting health by providing free water for all, or promoting sustainability by charging everyone high prices, that create the steepest trade-offs. Trade-off ...
Weather and water in cities
By the turn of the millennium, about half the world's population will be urban dwellers. So, cities will occupy an increasingly important place in human affairs. Profound questions arise regarding climate, weather and water, that all affect cities directly and are at the same time affected by them. This booklet, a contribution to World Meteorological Day 1997, discusses the role of the World Meteorological Organization in sustainable urban development.
Climate and urban development
This booklet, a contribution to the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (HABITAT II) in Istanbul, reviews the relationship between climate and human settlement. Focus is on how urbanization may influence both the local climate and global climate change. It is suggested that any negative influence can be mitigated through planning, building and operating urban areas in harmony with climate.
World Climate Applications and Services Programme (WCASP), 30. Technical Conference on Tropical Urban Climates
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) - WMO, 1994 (WMO/TD-No. 647)
Review of urban climatology 1973-1976
This publication reviews developments in the fields of urban climatology and meteorology in the period 1973-1976 inclusive. It therefore forms an addendum to WMO Technical Note No. 134 "Review of Urban Climatology 1968-1973" produced earlier by the author. The organization of the report follows that of the earlier one and the combined bibliographies along with that produced by Chandler (WMO Publication No. 276, 1970) provide a reasonably comprehensive coverage of literature in urban climatology.
Application of building climatology to the problems of housing and building for human settlements
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - WMO, 1976 (WMO-No. 441)This report attempts to discuss the systematics of building climatology in relation to building design. Chapter 1 attempts to outline the general scope of building climatology. Chapter 2 provides a detailed analysis of the meteorologist's contribution to the improvement of the safety of buildings exposed to weather extremes of one kind or another. Chapter 3 describes systematic processes for harnessing meteorological data into the actual building design and construction process. It assumes, as a fundamental requirement, that it is important to work out how best to achieve an appropriate balanc ...
Urban climatology and its relevance to urban design
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - WMO, 1976 (WMO-No. 438)As a guide to planners, Chapter 1 of this Technical Note considers the various mass, moisture, heat and momentum exchanges within the urban boundary layer; Chapter 2 describes the conséquences of thèse as they affect the distribution patterns of each of the meteorological éléments; and Chapter 3 considers the implications of urban climates to successful urban design, together with the logistics of the climatic input into the planning process.
Climatological aspects of the composition and pollution of the atmosphere
This report offers some practical guidelines on the processing and use of regular surface and upper-air observations in terms of their climatological influence on transport and diffusion of air pollutants. The concept of a meteorological potential for air pollution is discussed. An attempt was made to include examples of pertinent climatological data for various parts of the world but in fact the data are limited to temperate and northern latitudes of the northern hemisphere. There is a paucity of available meteorological studies relative to air pollution in the tropics, which, unfortunately, ...
Review of urban Climatology 1968-1973
This publication reviews developments in the field of urban climatology since the Symposium on Urban Climates and Building Climatology held at Brussels in 1968 under the joint sponsorship of the World Health Organization and WMO. During this relatively short period of time the importance of understanding the atmospheric environment of human settlements has become increasingly apparent and the amount of research has greatly expanded. The review is in two parts. The first part deals mainly with observational studies. This begins with a look at work aimed at elucidating the nature of the fundamen ...
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State of Australian Cities 2013
The world continues to urbanise. In 2008, for the first time in history more than half of the world's population lived in cities. By 2030, it is estimated that five billion people—80 per cent of humanity—will be urbanised.
For highly urbanised countries, a wrong step in urban policy can have national implications, especially when around 40 per cent of the national population live in just two cities (as is the case for Australia). Aside from city states like Singapore and Monaco, Australia is the most urbanised nation on earth. More than three in four of Australians live in the 18 cities ...
Local Government Self-Assessment Tool
18 April 2012: As part of its Making Cities Resilient Campaign, the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) has launched the Local Government Self Assessment Tool, to support cities in managing disaster risk. UNISDR reports that 2011 was the worst year on record for economic losses from disasters.
The tool aims to increase understanding of disaster risk reduction (DRR), allowing cities to establish baselines and identify planning and investment gaps for risk reduction and climate change adaptation. According to UNISDR, the new tool has been piloted in over 20 c ...
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