While the world is witnessing the most intense impact of climate change with extreme weather events like heatwaves and floods making headlines in recent years, the importance of incorporating climate resilience into urban planning has become pivotal. Climate resilient cities will not just protect people but will also shield local economy and infrastructure from the hazardous consequences of changes at the environment level.

The following six climate-smart strategies, being implemented by cities worldwide, serve as valuable examples for communities everywhere:

1. Planting more trees

Planting more trees, especially in urban areas, can have a significant impact on reducing high ground-level temperatures caused by the urban heat island effect.

Trees provide cooling shade, and their evapotranspiration produces a cooling effect compared to heat-absorbing impervious surfaces like asphalt and concrete. A comprehensive approach to tree plantation in cities will help cut down frequency of extreme heat days while also addressing the issue of systemic environmental injustice head on.

2. Restoration of Mangroves

Restoring and preserving mangrove forests found along equatorial coastlines provides natural barrier against storms, floods, and erosion. With their dense network of roots, mangroves can decrease wave heights and stabilize shorelines by absorbing wave energy before it reaches land. Apart from shielding property, they add diversity to the ecosystem by serving as nurseries for young fish, supporting local economies reliant on fishing. Mangroves also offer significant climate change benefit by their ability to sequester and store more carbon dioxide than terrestrial forests.

3. Green Buildings

Energy-efficient buildings, both residential and commercial, will help create climate-resilient cities with reduced emissions and utility costs. Technologies such as LED lighting with occupancy sensors, high-efficiency HVAC systems with heat recovery, and properly insulated and air-sealed walls, roofs, and windows significantly reduce the energy consumption and wastage for commercial and residential buildings. These energy-efficient technologies will help create more sustainable, resilient and cost-effective buildings that reduce our environmental impact.

4. Making Buildings Climate-Proof

Climate-resilient construction techniques will help upgrade urban infrastructure and protect buildings from climate vulnerabilities and extreme events and natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, tsunamies and typhoons.

5. Innovative management of stormwater

Urbanized flood-prone areas will benefit from sustainable adaptation strategies like implementing nature-based solutions. For eg, engineered green spaces and stormwater parks could mitigate flooding while balancing growth and conservation by acting as natural drainage systems.

6. Resilient Transportation Systems

Resilient transit systems can help provide reliable mobility when private vehicles are still affected by floodwaters. Subway systems produce 76% less greenhouse gas emissions than a car per passenger mile. Investing in resilient public transportation infrastructure is crucial for cities as they contribute to sustainable travel options along with reducing greenhouse gas emissions.These become all the more important in urban areas which face the maximum impact of climate change and extreme weather events.

With strategic urban planning and climate-resilient infrastructure, governments and communities worldwide can create safer and more sustainable environments. Implementing climate-smart strategies will help cities remain livable, even amid intensifying heatwaves, floods, and storms.

Disclaimer: The story was initially published by earthday.org

(Note: This story is a part of Punascha Pruthibi - One Earth. Unite for it', an awareness campaign by Sambad Digital)