1. Cities and the Challenge of Climate Change: Urban Mitigation and Adaptation Linda J. Yarr Partnerships for International Strategies in Asia (PISA) George Washington University

2. The Role of Cities Richard Florida: 1.We are an urban planet 60 years ago 30% of world population lived in cities; today over 50% and cities growing at rate of 60 million people per year. By 2050, 6.4 billion people (today’s world population) will live in cities

3. The Global City  Urbanization  Globalization  Characteristics of the Global City Economy Security Culture

5. Climate Change Vulnerabilities for Cities How is Yangon vulnerable to climate change? Impacts on: Health Transportation Built environment Water and Food security Livelihoods Waste Management

6. Sustainability What is Sustainability? For purposes of its own programming, George Washington University defines sustainability as a future with resource systems that are healthy and thriving for all. Sustainability is the balance of environmental resources, social equity and economic prosperity across the globe and across generations. It is best achieve by taking an integrated systems approach to planning and designing programs.

7. How to achieve sustainability? Green Growth-planning for a low-carbon future Climate-wise development-mainstreaming awareness of climate change across ministries Inclusive- gender, minority groups, regional balance

8. Mitigation  Energy efficiency-$1 investment=$4 savings  Required energy audits  LED lighting  Installation of renewables: wind, solar  Retrofitting for energy conservation  Reflective or green roofs  Guidelines such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards  Improvements to public/mass transport  Localize services to within walking distance

9. Adaptation  Restore or create wetlands and blue belts in flood- prone areas  Plant trees and bioswales along city streets  Encourage social interactions to build social capital and withstand natural disasters  Install permeable surfaces with water capture  Clean and restore brownfields to expand space for affordable housing and commercial uses without encroaching on public park space  Vertical water treatment plants  Risk inventory of critical infrastructure: food/water/energy

10. Climate Compatible Development “…development that minimises the harm caused by climate impacts, while maximising the many human development opportunities presented by a low emissions, more resilient, future.” --Climate & Development Knowledge Network “triple win” strategies resulting in low emissions, building resilience, and promoting development at the same time

11. Role of Cities 1. They are powerful growth engines “Cities in the advanced economies average 25 percent higher productivity rates than their countries as a whole. But, cities and urban areas in the developing world can be as much as two, three, or even four times as productive.” www.citylab.com

12. Role of Cities 2. Play key role in reducing climate change: If built right: lower carbon footprints per capita Built wrong: greater dependency on automobiles; higher vehicle emissions; waste of energy for cooling and lighting.

13. How can Cities reduce GHG emissions? C40 network response: Energy efficiency standards for new urban buildings; Energy retrofits for existing urban buildings; Aggressive energy performance standards for urban building lighting and appliances; and, Mode shift and transit efficiency for urban residents. www.c40.org/researchwww.c40.org/research and www.mike-bloomberg.com/unenvoy

14. Liveability Rankings- Competition for global talent The Economist Liveability Rankings: Top Five:Bottom Five: MelbourneDamascus ViennaDhaka VancouverPort Moresby TorontoLagos AdelaideKarachi

15. Liveability Criteria  Stability  Healthcare  Culture & Environment  Education  Infrastructure

16. Sustainable DC Plan Plan for a liveable, walkable, equitable city: Sustainable DC Plan www.sustainable.dc.gov

17. PlaNYC and “One City, Built to Last Following Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s extensive and intensive PlaNYC, Mayor Bill de Blasio unveils, “One City, Built to Last: Transforming New York City’s Buildings for a Low-carbon Future” Commitment for city to reduce its GHG emissions by 80% over 2005 levels by 2050 by retrofitting City’s public and private buildings Increase low-income housing to foster inclusive growth

18. City plans  Result from participatory and widespread consultation with neighborhoods, civil society and private sector;  Should be widely publicized and publically available;  Include benchmarks and periodic reports;  Align with a vision of climate-wise and inclusive growth;  Incorporate the historic heritage that gives distinction and evokes pride in the city’s history.

20. THANK YOU! Linda J. Yarr lyarr@gwu.edu