Climate-resilient cities: Leading the charge in Asia and the Pacific

A family is enjoying their time in Lumpini Park of Bangkok, Thailand.

Photo credit: Adobe Stock/Avtk

Amid a sea of high-rises and blocks of concrete, taking a walk through Bangkok’s Lumphini park or New Delhi’s Sunder Nursery can give you a much-needed break to “touch the grass,” in the midst of multiple, interlinked global crises. In that minute, you allow yourself to detach from the rigmarole of everyday life and be in the present.

But having access to these green spaces is proving to be a luxury in cities across Asia and the Pacific. Response can no longer be limited to the international and national government levels, as the challenge posed by climate change weighs heavy – and this is where cities “enter the chat.”

The Asia-Pacific region is characterized by a diversity of cities, from sprawling metropolises to rapidly growing urban centres. Due to their concentration of population, they are at the forefront of challenges linked to quality of life, resilience and sustainability. Amidst the fast life of packed streets, cramped living spaces, and burgeoning shopping centres, unique climate-related issues rear their heads.

Experts say action to combat these is coming from within urban centres.

"Cities in the region are becoming a lot more climate-conscious," explains Cathy Oke, Director of the Melbourne Centre for Cities. "They are feeling greater impact from climate change, like flooding and air pollution, but they are taking on board ownership to mitigate the situation through energy efficiency, green infrastructure or addressing issues like air quality and the transport system."

Leveraging innovation for climate solutions

From flood mitigation and water sensitive design in Singapore, to increased greening through vertical forests in Kuala Lumpur, and transforming transportation systems to reduce congestion in Bangkok, cities in the Asia-Pacific region are becoming hubs of climate consciousness and innovation. Other initiatives involve renewable energy projects like micro grids and solar farming within urban spaces.

As test beds for exploring how innovation can reshape the global response to climate needs, cities offer a unique opportunity.

“There are so many different ways that the urban fabric can be innovated on both vertically and horizontally. What we're seeing is just this amazing explosion of ideas being tested in the way that cities are being built,” says Alexei Trundle, Associate Director (International), at the Melbourne Centre for Cities.

“The key to Asia and the Pacific is that the amount of city that needs to be built going forward will completely duplicate the amount that is already built. So, there's a huge potential for integrating new technologies as the cities expand across the region,” he adds.

Need for holistic, inclusive and collaborative approaches

The task of developing climate-resilient cities cannot be tackled in silos. Experts say its foundation requires diversity, inclusion and collaboration at all levels.

“It's a holistic challenge, and it's a holistic solution. You need to incorporate a whole range of thinkings and a whole range of stakeholders in order for a community or for city to be climate conscious, but also to really act on the issues at hand. That comes down to bringing in expertise from a range of disciplines, but also really working with local communities and finding opportunities,” Oke explains.

The park that you found yourself strolling through would be a good example of urban green spaces, pockets of green offering respite from the congestion. As the amount of space available is limited, innovation is employed to focus on quality and accessibility, with approaches like incorporating green space into buildings and rooftops. However, it is critical to centre social equity into all discussions about how space is utilized.

To ensure sustainability of these green spaces, several factors need to be considered: Is the vegetation climate resilient? Where is the water coming from? Who is in-charge of management?

“In fact, that's probably one of the most critical ways to increase green spaces: To have the community on board right at the beginning of the project, so they own these green spaces, because that's not only important for connection, but also for maintenance in the long run,” Oke elaborates

Looking ahead

After a long day at work, what brings you more joy: a 35-floor condominium building or an alcove of lush greens to give rest to your aching eyes? As cities expand, many could say that both are indispensable. So how do we leverage innovation to integrate one into the other? Cities remain integral to fostering this holistic approach towards tackling climate change.

“The role that cities play is critical and understanding the science, the data, the knowledge needs that cities have to take action on climate exchange is really part of that whole conversation,” Oke underscores.

The Future of Asian & Pacific Cities Report 2023: Crisis Resilient Urban Futures is an essential read for more on cities and climate action. As your city aims to leverage innovation and collaboration to tackle global challenges, a precedent for urban resilience and sustainability is being set.