RESOURCES: Building resilience in the face of climate change disaster

How can we build cities that not only respond effectively to extreme weather challenges but also enhance cities’ resilience to future shocks?

In October 2024, the Futurecasting webinar convened diverse stakeholders from the public sector and civil society to explore strategies for enhancing resilience in communities vulnerable to climate impacts.

The discussion focused on the importance of collaboration, community engagement and proactive planning in disaster preparedness and response. Speakers explored effective disaster management practices and underscored the need for integrating local knowledge and community experiences into disaster planning.

Speakers shared multiple ways of ensuring that marginalised communities are included in resilience-building efforts. Early warning systems, infrastructure maintenance and community education were identified as critical components for creating robust support networks. The dialogue facilitated knowledge sharing among stakeholders and highlighted opportunities for cross-sector collaboration to enhance resilience and effectively address the challenges posed by climate change.

The discussion was facilitated by Anthea Stephens, Climate & Sustainability Component Lead, Cities Support Programme. The speakers were:

  • Zarina Motala: Program Manager for Climate Justice at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
  • Niel Rooi: Disaster Management Centre, City of Johannesburg
  • Daniel Sullivan: Director of Resilience and Risk, City of Cape Town

Watch the full webinar here.

From Disaster to Action: Community Voices Shaping Resilience

Zarina Motala delivered a moving account of how her community in Lenasia has been devastated by recurring floods, the most severe occurring in December 2022. She highlighted the failure of local government to respond adequately, despite early warnings, which left the community to rely on its own resources for rescue efforts. Zarina identified the lack of infrastructure maintenance, such as blocked rivers and neglected wetlands, as factors that worsened the disaster’s impact. She invited stronger collaboration with government  and stressed the need for community involvement in disaster preparedness and the urgent rehabilitation of local ecosystems. Her message underscored the importance of education and advocacy to build resilience and address the immediate and future threats posed by climate change.

Download the presentation here.

Proactive Disaster Management: Lessons from Johannesburg

Niel Rooi supported the centrality of future casting as a practice to shape future responses to climate change. He agreed with Zarina about the importance of community-led planning, stating that local participation is key to disaster resilience.  Dr Rooi detailed the City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ) proactive disaster management and how these fit into a collective approach to resilience-building, particularly through local knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and investments that prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas. His presentation focused on the CoJ’s ongoing efforts to prepare for future disasters by building strong and informed partnerships.

Download the presentation here.

Building Resilience: Lessons from Cape Town’s Climate Challenges

Daniel Sullivan shared the City of Cape Town’s (CoCT) approach to resilience-building by reflecting on past crises, including the 2017 drought and recent floods. He emphasised that the city’s strategy focuses on learning from these events to better respond to future climate shocks. The CoCT integrates risk management, resilience, and business continuity planning to maintain critical services during disasters, while also working closely with local and international partners like the C40 Cities network to adopt best practices. Daniel highlighted the importance of building community engagement, particularly through programmes that empower citizens to act in their own neighbourhoods. He concluded by stressing the significance of trust and collective responsibility to building resilience for disasters related to climate change.

Download the presentation here.

Futurecasting: Building resilience in the face of climate change disaster

Friday 4 October 2024
11:00 – 12:30

As South Africa faces increasingly severe weather conditions, the social, economic, and infrastructural stability of our cities is at risk. The critical question remains: How can we build cities that not only respond effectively to extreme weather challenges but also enhance cities’ resilience to future shocks?  This webinar is an opportunity for government, community leaders and the private sector to share knowledge and engage in an inclusive dialogue that co-creates resilient cities.

Speakers will share strategies to empower communities in disaster preparedness and response and unpack how resilience-building strategies benefit all segments of society.

Panelists:

  • Zarina Motala – Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
  • Dr Niel Rooi – City of Johannesburg
  • Daniel Sullivan – City of Cape Town

Facilitator: Anthea Stephens, Climate & Sustainability Component Lead, Cities Support Programme

This Futurecasting webinar will delve into the role of community inclusion, strategic partnerships and collaborative urban planning in strengthening urban resilience. Drawing on insights from recent flooding events, the discussion will explore how government, communities and the private sector can work together to better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate change in their cities.

Some key questions to explore include:

  1. Community inclusion: What strategies can empower communities in disaster preparedness and response by leveraging local knowledge and resources to enhance resilience?
  2. Inclusive resilience: How can resilience-building strategies benefit all segments of society, particularly vulnerable and marginalised groups that are most affected by the impacts of climate change?