The global initiative 100 Resilient Cities from the Rockefeller Foundation helps cities around the globe to become fit for the future. Nearly twenty European cities are involved.
Resilient cities are not only prepared for the consequences of climate change (floods and droughts) but they also provide work, public transport and sufficient water and food for a fast growing world population. At the moment 98 cities are participating worldwide of which 19 European cities. Regional director Europe Christiana Fragola says in a video about Rome that most of the infrastructure in European cities is quite ancient. She calls it a challenge to make historic buildings resilient and save their value at the same time.
Cities in the 100 Resilient Cities network are provided with the resources necessary to develop a roadmap to resilience. A Chief Resilience Officer is leading the city’s resilience efforts and receives expert support for the development of a robust resilience strategy. The cities also get access to solutions, service providers and partners from private, public and NGO sectors who are able to help them develop and implement their Resilience Strategies. In the resilient city network member cities learn from each other and also help each other.
The initiative is financially supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and is managed as a sponsored project by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. The organisation has staff and offices in New York, London, Mexico City, and Singapore to support the work in cities across regions.
Members of the 100 Resilient Cities team and a panel of expert judges reviewed over 1.000 applications from prospective cities. The judges looked for innovative mayors, a recent catalyst for change, a history of building partnerships, and an ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
Water News Europe will focus on individual European cities in separate articles.