The future of cities - urban development for sustainable transformation

In Rwanda, climate-adapted and gender-sensitive green spaces are being established in five cities to mitigate climate risks for women and other vulnerable groups. These so-called Nature-based solutions (NbS) could look like this: parks with good lighting and new public spaces for culture, sport and local projects. Additionally, these green spaces can reduce heat stress and reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall. In such adaptation measures, vulnerable groups must be prioritised and involved in the decision-making process.

Similar measures are undertaken in our project regions in Southeast Asia, focusing on vulnerable groups, especially women and residents of informal settlement. Our research demonstrates that when their needs are considered and they are empowered to participate in decision-making processes, fair and inclusive measures lead to more resilient cities. adelphi research reached similar conclusions when compiling various approaches and projects on urban resilience. It became clear that the participation of the local population is essential to effectively and sustainably implement approaches and promote local ownership.

The degree of resilience of cities to the consequences of climate change is challenging to measure, and there is often a lack of innovative knowledge for implementing effective preventative measures against natural disasters. Municipalities require methods to adapt to challenges such as heat and heavy rainfall. An online resilience tool developed by adelphi research offers a comprehensive database to help identify tailored measures and create action plans. On the path to climate resilience and net-zero emissions, breaking down silos and fostering collaboration between municipalities, authorities and private actors is crucial. A new online tool groups cities facing similar challenges, aiming to provide European municipalities with guidance on suitable solution packages.

Networks and knowledge exchange for financing green approaches

Many cities and municipalities lack knowledge of, and access to, financing options for expanding renewable energy. Peer-to-peer learning facilitates the exchange of experience and expertise, offering a solution. adelphi research supports cities and municipalities in building up the necessary knowledge and understanding of different financing options, thereby enabling easy access to funding. Networking and knowledge exchange also facilitate access to private and EU funding for small and medium-sized municipalities. In addition, tailor-made grants are offered to support municipalities and local authorities with specific technical assistance and capacity building.

Sustainable consumption habits and digitalisation in cities

Transforming vacant commercial spaces into pop-up stores, exchange markets, or rental and repair item locations is another focus of adelphi in promoting sustainable consumption patterns in cities. Such concepts are also being developed in many other locations in Europe, yet experience remains limited. #ConnectedInEurope fosters direct exchange between municipal partners in the EU and small and medium-sized municipalities, enabling their participation in European networks and initiatives for advancing sustainable urban development.

Designing future-proof cities is a complex challenge requiring collaboration among various stakeholders. adelphi actively engages in various projects worldwide to support cities in their journey towards sustainable development. By integrating innovative approaches, considering local needs and promoting dialogue between cities and communities, we can collectively create a liveable and more resilient future for all.