Cities around the world are facing a range of pressures resulting from population growth, climate change and deterioration of urban infrastructure systems. These pressures result in an enhanced vulnerability of the urban population to natural hazards and a lack of access to reliable, safe and sustainable water and sanitation services. The global concern on these issues has been expressed within the 2030 Development Agenda (SDG 6, 11 & 13), the New Urban Agenda and the Sendai Framework.
Science is the key in providing sustainable solutions to Urban settings by building resilience in both water and sanitation provision and in disaster risk reduction. It unlocks challenges related to livelihoods, development and environmental sustainability. Science provides the information for sound policy-making and creates tools to help decision-makers and offers optimal solutions. UNESCO being the UN Organization with a mandate to Science is on the forefront of scientific and technological development and supports cities in growing and sustaining their development in a sustainable manner. UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme and Disaster Risk Reduction team are the foundation upon which the Organization relies to carry out its work.
WUF Events
(Side Event) Building Urban Resilience
Friday 9 February | 12:00-13:00 | Urban Library
The side event “Building Urban Resilience” aims to provide concrete examples of how to strengthen cities’ resilience to natural hazards through the provision of basic services and, in particular, services related to water in an urban setting. It will support the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, particularly regarding the adoption and implementation of disaster risk reduction and management, vulnerability reduction, building of resilience and responsiveness to natural and manmade hazards and fostering mitigation and adaptation to climate change. The event will also address the need to ensure universal access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation, the protection and conservation of water resources and their sustainable management, reduce and treat wastewater, minimize water losses, promote water reuse and increase water storage, retention, and recharge.
PUBLICATIONS
Guidelines For Earthquake Resistant Non-Engineered Construction