Climate change and variability assessment and urban development planning for Asian coastal cities

This workshop builds on the 'Cities at Risk' workshop and recent studies of Asian cities sponsored by ADB, World Bank, and JICA. As noted in the workshop, there is a general lack of awareness, on the part of urban officials, of the magnitude of the growing risks and vulnerabilities (e.g., coastal flooding) confronting coastal Asian mega-cities. Even in cases when the officials  are aware of the latter they may underestimate the risk in light of what may be seen as more 'immediate' concerns. Moreover, there is a general tendency to underestimate the occurrence of low probability, 'high impact' events.

Climate change risk and vulnerability assessment can play a key role in raising an appropriate awareness of climate related risks leading to more informed decision-making. This workshop addresses the limited analytic capacity to carry out risk and vulnerability assessments in most coastal Asian cities.

Objectives of the workshop include:

a) Help develop capacity on the part of urban planners, managers, and researchers in climate change vulnerability assessment and application to urban development planning and governance.

b) Promote locally led vulnerability research in Asian coastal cities linked to user needs. 

c) Help develop partnerships between researchers, planners, and policy makers, and to develop communities of knowledge for vulnerability assessment in each participating city.

The workshop originally scheduled to be held on 23 August-01 September in Bangkok will take place on 22-28 August 2010 in Nakorn Pathom, Thailand. The workshop is organised by the Southeast Asia START Regional Center (SEA-START) and the East-West Center with support from the APN. Click here to download the workshop announcement.