Resiliency Planning for the Cities We Want Rather than the Cities We Have

Climate resiliency planning is becoming more important and common in American communities of all sizes. The focus when talking about infrastructure is often on the project or system, but resiliency requires a more expansive and interconnected view. This includes maximizing linkages across systems, deeper engagement with the community who is both affected by disruptions and is a funding partner, and expanding our notion of revenues and return on investment. Climate may play a role in accelerating gentrification, but a High Road Infrastructure Approach provides a pathway for greater resiliency.

Reaching for Regionalism

If you haven’t noticed, we are in a time of “renewed regionalism” and the common theme across these efforts is better integration across issues to better respond to the complexity of the challenges that no single jurisdiction alone can address. Climate adaptation and resiliency clearly fits right in this wheelhouse, whether working together to recover from a major weather event or to find strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Here are a few thoughts from involvement last week by Mariia Zimmerman of MZ Strategies at the Institute for Sustainable Communities: "Think Resiliently, Act Regionally" Leadership Academy.