Building More Inclusive and Resilient Cities

Stakeholders need to be intentional about implementing these solutions, and in seeking funding and partnership that can facilitate programmes in this regard.

Presented by: Deborah Cadman, Chief Executive, Birmingham City Council

Building safer, more inclusive, and more resilient cities

While development projects are intended to improve the wellbeing of people and communities, they can cause harm to the environment and communities if they are not done sustainably. For example, solving housing needs of populations can encourage deforestation, and this can be prevented by building with more sustainable materials.

Presented by: Simon Marks, Partner, Arcadis UK

Environmental Impacts of Development

This would ensure a diversification in economic activties, and encourage higher levels of competencies in cities, which can ensure better administrative structures.

Presented by: Rudiger Ahrend, Head of Economic Analysis, Data and Statistics Division, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Urban Development 

Municipal fragmentation entails having pockets of metropolitan regions within a city, which operate independently from each other and with respect to a central governing body. This is bad for ensuring city resilience because infrastrcture at this level will be less well developed. It also discourages inclusivity of cities, as it can lead to gentrification.

Presented by: Rudiger Ahrend, Head of Economic Analysis, Data and Statistics Division, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Local Government Fragmentation

This includes policies for an efficient and clean public transport system in cities, energy efficient systems in houses, and enhanced access to these facilities by all citizens.

Presented by: Rudiger Ahrend, Head of Economic Analysis, Data and Statistics Division, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Five ways to make cities more sustainable and resilient

Most national frameworks and policies do not consider local contexts and their peculiarities. In implementing these frameworks in local contexts, consideration must be made for local socioeconomic and political issues, which will inform how these policies are implemented at the local level.

Presented by: Abigail Taylor, City-REDI, University of Birmingham, UK

How to Make Cities More Resilient

Giving up international holidays, changing food consumption patterns, using public transport, and implementing remote working, are some of the examples of how individuals and organisations can reduce carbon emissions in cities through lifestyle alterations.

Presented by: Professor John Bryson, Chair in Enterprise and Economic Geography, University of Birmingham, UK

How do towns become more resilient?