Addressing Urban Resilience through Nature Based Solutions: What Works, What Doesn't

Nature has a key role to play in achieving the New Urban Agenda's goal of ensuring access to clean air, safe drinking water and green space and the Sustainable Development Goals 6, 9 and 11. Nature in and around cities can protect public health by reducing pollution and protecting resources, and natural areas, including wetlands and natural river zones, can reduce flooding.

The session will introduce an alternative way of delivering urban infrastructure that is more robust and accommodating of the future climate change-induced uncertainties. Project examples from Indonesia and Fiji will be shared in which the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities of the Monash University and the Asian Development Bank are jointly implementing an innovative water-sensitive approach to revitalize informal settlements.

This session will provide insights on nature-based strategies in urban development, including natural approaches to storm water management and flood control, water conservation and urban water quality as well as sanitation practices. Participants will learn about the River Zone Plan for New Clark City (NCC) in the Philippines where ADB is supporting authorities with the creation of a new resilient city for 1.2 million residents and 800,000 employees by including ecosystem-based adaptation and incorporating nature-based green areas into the city design. Best examples of city experiences in building urban resilience will also be shared by 100 Resilient Cities - from payments for ecosystem services to promote healthy freshwater supply to using wetlands to treat water.

After sharing of concepts and examples, time is allocated for an open exchange between participants and panelist on the challenges and opportunities for enhancing resilience through nature based solutions.