Cities at Risk
Developing Adaptive Capacity for Climate Change in Asia's Coastal Megacities
Where: Bangkok, ThailandWhen: February 26, 2009 - February 28, 2009
What:
Asia is undergoing unprecedented urban growth that will add substantially to the population residing in its coastal regions. Much of this rapid population and economic growth is occurring in large coastal cities at high risk from sea level rise and climate change. Asia's densely populated deltas and other lowlying coastal urban areas are among those described in the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report as "key societal hotspots of coastal vulnerability" with many millions of people potentially affected. The potential for loss in the region has been amply demonstrated in the recent past by loss of life and property from flooding, particularly when high tides were combined with storm surges and high river flows. The risks posed by climate change to Asia's coastal population will persist, despite any greenhouse gas stabilization, in that future sea level rise and climate change are unavoidable given existing high atmospheric CO2 levels and projected growth in population and infrastructure.
The Cities at Risk workshop, to be held 26-28 February 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand, will bring together scientists, urban planners and officials, and representatives of disaster management and development agencies to review scientific findings and projections regarding climate-related risks (e.g., sea level rise, extreme climate events, intensification of storms and storm surges) for Asia's coastal megacities. Participants will examine potential vulnerabilities and current coping mechanisms that better integrate science information, planning, development, and disaster management. The workshop will also consider means for improving networking and communication between urban planners/officials and the scientific community in order to enhance urban resilience and adaptive capacities.Please click here to download a pdf of the prospectus.
Primary Contact Info:
Name: Roland Fuchs
Email: RFuchs@eastwestcenter.org
Phone: 808-944-7518
