Policies for tomorrow’s risk-resilient and equitable cities

Abstract

Key policy messages 1. Haphazard urbanisation and construction activities and rapid migration create and trigger hazards such as inundation, landslides, fires, and encroachment in traditional settlements and farming land. 2. (Local) municipal governments urgently need to extrapolate emerging and future risks of hazards considering existing risks triggered by haphazard urbanisation. 3. Since disasters caused by vulnerabilities and hazards affect human society, culture, identity and livelihood practices, the engagement of social scientists to foresee the social aspects of risks from the inception of urban planning is quintessential. 4. Urban planning should not be portrayed solely as an infrastructure development project (e.g. high-rise buildings, wide roads, etc) but also conservation of local culture and environment, and inclusion of traditional knowledge and practices. 5. A deliberative and iterative engagement with disaggregated communities (e.g. caste/ethnicity, migrants, marginalised, informal settlers, women) is crucial to envisioning inclusive and resilient future/tomorrow’s cities. 6. All kinds of municipal development endeavours should be informed, embraced and institutionalised accounting for emerging and potential risks reduction and management aspects urgently.