What is meant by 'resilient city design'?

Resilient city design refers to the planning and development of cities to withstand and recover from various challenges and disasters.

Resilient city design is a concept that has gained significant attention in the field of urban planning and development. It involves designing and building cities in a way that they can withstand and recover from a variety of challenges, ranging from natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, to man-made issues such as economic downturns and social unrest. The aim is to create cities that are not only able to survive these challenges, but also bounce back stronger.

The concept of resilience in city design is rooted in the understanding that cities, like any other system, are subject to a variety of stresses and shocks. Stresses are long-term factors that weaken the fabric of a city on a day-to-day or cyclical basis. Examples include high unemployment, inefficient public transportation system, endemic violence, or chronic food and water shortages. Shocks are sudden, sharp events that threaten a city, such as earthquakes, floods, disease outbreaks, or terrorist attacks.

Resilient city design involves a holistic approach that considers all aspects of a city, from its physical infrastructure to its social systems. It involves designing and constructing buildings and infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters, implementing policies that promote economic stability, and fostering a strong sense of community among residents. It also involves planning for the unexpected, with contingency plans in place to deal with potential disasters.

In addition, resilient city design also emphasises sustainability. This means designing cities in a way that minimises their impact on the environment, while also ensuring they can provide for the needs of their residents in a sustainable way. This can involve everything from promoting the use of renewable energy sources, to implementing waste management strategies that reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

In conclusion, resilient city design is about creating cities that are able to withstand and recover from a variety of challenges. It involves a holistic approach that considers all aspects of a city, from its physical infrastructure to its social systems, and emphasises sustainability.