scholarly journals Measuring the Unmeasurable: Comparative Assessment of Urban Vulnerability for Coastal Megacities — New York, London, Tokyo, Kolkata and Lagos

2016 ◽  
Vol 03 (03) ◽  
pp. 1650018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten Welle ◽  
Joern Birkmann
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Global North ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
North And South

The following paper presents an approach to measure the vulnerability of urban megacities with a comparative approach across cities in the Global North and South. The assessment of city vulnerability is key in order to inform risk management and adaptation strategies that are needed to build resilience against extreme events, natural hazards or consequences of climate change. While the New Urban Agenda (UN Habitat 2016) underscores the necessity for inclusive, sustainable and resilient urban development, the findings of the vulnerability assessment in the five selected coastal megacities that were part of the TRUC project — Kolkata, Lagos, London, New York and Tokyo — show that next to resource deficiencies and poverty, issues of governance also need to be addressed if we really aim to increase the coping capacities of urban population to deal with extreme events and natural hazards. While this is a major challenge for the selected coastal megacities in the Global South, the analysis reveals that in terms of adaptive capacities also, megacities in the Global North, such as New York and London, face major challenges and rank nearly on a similar level as Kolkata. Even though such assessments provide only a first overview, it is evident that effective risk management approaches and positive transformative change that can include long-term as well as immediate risk management concerns will not only require improvements at the local level but also significant changes in sub-national and national context conditions. This is particularly true in terms of fighting corruption and increasing the reliability and trustworthiness of local and national institutions and their regulations.

4. Local and global, North and South

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Dobson
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmental Politics ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Environmental Problems ◽  
Environmental Agreements ◽  
Environmental Implications ◽  
Multilateral Environmental Agreements ◽  
Global Character ◽  
Global North ◽  
North And South

Environmental problems have an international—even a global—character. Environmental politics is therefore, at least in part, an international politics. ‘Local and global, North and South’ considers how the national and international dimensions work—or not—together highlighting an apparently insurmountable faultline between the global North and the global South. Despite numerous obstacles, multilateral environmental agreements are possible. By comparing and contrasting two cases—the ozone layer and climate change—the factors and conditions that make for successful agreements are analysed. The local level, which is also crucial to environmental politics, is then considered because this is where environmental implications are felt most viscerally and its battles are fought most keenly.

Pathways for Transformation: Disaster Risk Management to Enhance Resilience to Extreme Events

2016 ◽  
Vol 03 (01) ◽  
pp. 1671002 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. D. Gibson ◽  
M. Pelling ◽  
A. Ghosh ◽  
D. Matyas ◽  
A. Siddiqi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
System Level ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Level Change ◽  
Development Trajectories

Disaster risk from extreme events and development are intimately linked. Disaster risk management influences and is affected by local development strategies. Trade-offs made in policy and implementation determine winners and losers on the basis of unequal capacity, susceptibility and hazard exposure. Transformation has been introduced as a concept opening new policy space for fundamental shifts in development trajectories. Though policy neutral, when combined with normative frameworks such as the Sustainable development goals it can open up leverage points for determining development trajectories. There is limited empirical evidence on which to base understanding of transformative disaster risk management policy though some work has been done in sister domains such as climate change mitigation and adaptation. This study asks whether transformation pathways for disaster risk management can be observed, offering an initial qualitative analysis to inform policy development. It is based on five case studies drawn from diverse locations exposed to a range of extreme events, examined through a conceptual framework offering five indicators of transformation to aid analysis: intense interaction between actors; the intervention of external actors; system level change extending beyond efficiency to governance and goals; behavior beyond established coping strategies; and behavior extending beyond established institutions. Core characteristics of transformative pathways for disaster risk reduction are identified, including pathway competition, pathway experimentation, pathway scale effects and pathway lock-in. These characteristics are seen to determine the extent to which the disruption consequent on extreme events leads to either transformatory change or relative stasis. The study concludes that transformative disaster risk management, both intentional and incidental can be observed. It is seen that transformations occur primarily at local level. Where policy level change occurs this generally played out at local level too. The particular insight of the study is to suggest that most often the burden of transformation is carried at the local level through the behavior of individuals, populations and civil society. This observation raises an important question for further work: How can the burden of undertaking transformation be shared across scales?

Can literary events use Co-Creation to challenge stigmatisation?

2020 ◽  
pp. 155-172
Author(s):  
Christina Horvath
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Literary Texts ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Arts Festivals ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Global North ◽  
North And South

This chapter takes a comparative approach to two initiatives developed by artists and cultural promoters from the Global North and South, to challenge clichés attached to French banlieues and Brazilian favelas as places devoid of the production and consumption of literary texts. The ‘Dictée des Cités’, a spelling competition promoted since 2013 in French banlieues by writer Rachid Santaki, and the ‘Literary Festival of the Urban Periphery’ (FLUP) curated in Rio de Janeiro since 2012 by writers Julio Ludemir and Écio Salles, are analysed through the lens of Co-Creation as examples of artist-driven initiatives to encourage large local audiences’ engagement with literary texts, transform literary institutions and canons and challenge stereotypes associated with urban peripheries. While the chapter seeks to evaluate the potential of large-scale literary events to change the perception of disadvantaged urban areas, it also explores differences between the Global North and South. The chapter ends with the conclusion that socially engaged arts festivals and Co-Creation events may promote similar aims, they however differ in their scale, approaches to knowledge production as well as in their strategies promoting engagement with creative methods.

Lokale Risikomündigkeit

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Bönewitz
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Social Practice ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Risk Awareness ◽  
The Social ◽  
Local Risk ◽  
Management Approaches

This thesis explores the contribution of the concept of ‘lokale Risikomündigkeit’ (local risk awareness) to the study of societal handling of natural hazards. ‘Risikomündigkeit’ is based on the promise of an enlightened society of responsible citizens and is expressed in the practice of risk management. After engaging in critical reflection, the author develops the concept of 'lokale Risikomündigkeit' as a praxeologically, rationally and geographically sound analytical heuristic. It becomes clear that the social practice of risk management is characterised by diverse, partly contradictory forms of logic that cannot be assumed to be conventionally rational and cannot be comprehensively grasped by purely evidence-based risk management approaches.

scholarly journals Vulnerability, Resilience and Transformation of Urban Areas in the Coastal Megacity Lagos: Findings of Local Assessments and a Household Survey in Highly Exposed Areas

2016 ◽  
Vol 03 (03) ◽  
pp. 1650019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joern Birkmann ◽  
Julius I. Agboola ◽  
Torsten Welle ◽  
Michael Ahove ◽  
Shakirudeen Odunuga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Different Characteristics ◽  
Coastal Megacity

Coastal urban regions in low-lying areas in developing countries are often hotspots of climate change related risks and therefore the analysis of different characteristics of vulnerability, resilience and transformation is an important prerequisite for planning and decision making. Even though the concepts of resilience and transformation have been discussed for some time, they often remain still very abstract. Against this background the following paper aims to illustrate how different characteristics of vulnerability: susceptibility, exposure and adaptation from resilience to transformative change can be assessed in practice at the level of individual households and different city districts. The household survey was conducted in four low-income, at risk areas in the coastal megacity of Lagos. It reveals important differences between the case study locations in terms of perceived capacities and actual responses of households to extreme events and creeping hazards. The analysis of behavioral changes undertaken after extreme events underscores that experience of loss and damage is an important stimulus for people to change their behavior. Moreover perception of actual and future risk management capacities and the performance of government institutions influences risk management regimes at the household level. It was found that at risk populations experienced both, inaction from government and individual households. This is a corrective to the majority literature that focuses on proactive local or government action. In fact, these examples of success may be quite rare and were not found in the four settlements studied in this research. The survey is part of a larger international project regarding the Transformation and Resilience of Urban Coasts (TRUC (2016). Transformation fo urban coasts Available at www.bel_truc.org ) funded by the Belmont Forum and the DFG in particular in terms of the research in Lagos.

scholarly journals THE DISTRIBUTION, QUANTITY AND INFLUENCE ANALYSIS OF NATURAL EMERGENCIES BY REGION

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (86) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Vytrykush ◽  
◽  
Nadiia Paranyak ◽  
Oleksandra Datsko ◽  
Anna Romaniv ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
The Past ◽  
The World ◽  
Management Approaches

The paper examines the dynamics of natural emergencies in Ukraine and the vulnerability of the population and territories to them over the past 20 years. The analysis of the number and distribution of natural emergencies, depending on the region of Ukraine. Indicated on certain patterns of their number and type, depending on the area. The methods of the analysis for the prediction of natural disasters origin and manifestation and risk assessment methodologies that are actively used in the world and Ukraine, is carried out. The risk index of the natural disasters on the territory of Ukraine, according to the scale of the World Risk Index, is considered. The present situation in the country with man-made and natural safety is analyzed. The trend to a temperature average increases and rainfalls decreases throughout the country is noted. There was made a comparison of the last two decades in terms of changes in the average values of the number of meteorological emergencies and fires in natural ecosystems. As a result, it can be noted that in most cases, the resources spent on the disaster relief usually exceed the expenditures allocated for safety. A map with the reflected main types of the natural hazards is proposed, which makes it possible to identify trends that form the greatest threats in a particular territory and to improve the preventing system for the occurrence and elimination of the natural hazards consequences, determining the directions for the risk management mechanism improving at the national and regional levels, forming new management approaches and specific means of their implementation. There are summarized the results of state and regional management and the need to take measures for threats prevention, as well as the need for constant monitoring of all risks and processes occurring in the regions. Which in turn will increase the efficiency of management at the regional level, as well as reduce risks and minimize losses from overcoming the consequences of emergencies for public administration and local government. Accordingly, it will contribute to the development of the risk management system in Ukraine and bring it closer to international standards.

scholarly journals Is community radio in crisis in the Global North?: Lessons from Australia and the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 51-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Anderson ◽  
Clemencia Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Local Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Radio ◽  
New York University ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Future ◽  
Global North ◽  
Communication Needs

This article explores the relevance of community radio in the Global North. Its significance in the Global South is uncontested (Gumucio Dagron, 2011; Rodrguez, 2011; Tacchi, 2002), however, in the Global North the role of community radio is not necessarily so clear. According to a 2017 study published by New York University, newer digital services are changing the way people listen to content, endangering the future of traditional radio (Miller, 2017). In this environment, the relevance of community radio can be put into question. Based on three different case studies two in Australia and one in the US our analysis explores community broadcasters strategic initiatives that, although different, intend to address specific communication needs in particular audiences. Our analysis suggests that the future of community radio in the Global North depends on its ability to detect needs and audiences at the hyper-local level.

scholarly journals Strategies and Governance for Implementing Deep Decarbonization Plans at the Local Level

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 154
Author(s):  
Samantha Linton ◽  
Amelia Clarke ◽  
Laura Tozer
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
The Usa

This study qualitatively explores eight cases of best practice cities that are leading the way towards deep decarbonization. Local governments and stakeholders are developing short-term strategies and long-term pathways towards deep decarbonization at the local level but are struggling to determine effective actions. In this article, we examine cities pursuing deep decarbonization to provide insights into the strategies and governance structures that eight leading local governments are using to develop and implement deep decarbonization plans. The cases are in Canada (Bridgewater, Guelph, Vancouver and Toronto), the USA (Park City and New York City), Finland (Lahti), and Norway (Oslo) and range from very small (8.4 thousand people) to very large (9.6 million people). For each city, their implementation strategies are detailed under four categories: engagement; green economy; policy tools; and financial tools. Governance mechanisms and modes are explained regarding coordination; oversight and reporting; communication; multi-level integration; cross-sector collaboration; funding, and mode. While a number of these approaches and tools have been identified in previous research and grey literature, the findings show that leading local government plans continue to develop innovative strategies on their own and also share their successes with other communities through transnational networks. The cases examined in this study are moving beyond the incremental approach to mitigating greenhouse gases and are innovating to find applied methods for achieving transformative change. The findings from this study are useful for practitioners and academics working on climate mitigation, strategy implementation, cross-sector partnerships, and sustainable cities.

Gerald H. Thayer's ornithological work in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Lesser Antilles

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. Wiley
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
West Indies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lesser Antilles ◽  
American Museum ◽  
The West ◽  
Comparative Zoology ◽  
North And South America ◽  
North And South

Gerald Handerson Thayer (1883–1939) was an artist, writer and naturalist who worked in North and South America, Europe and the West Indies. In the Lesser Antilles, Thayer made substantial contributions to the knowledge and conservation of birds in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Thayer observed and collected birds throughout much of St Vincent and on many of the Grenadines from January 1924 through to December 1925. Although he produced a preliminary manuscript containing interesting distributional notes and which is an early record of the region's ornithology, Thayer never published the results of his work in the islands. Some 413 bird and bird egg specimens have survived from his work in St Vincent and the Grenadines and are now housed in the American Museum of Natural History (New York City) and the Museum of Comparative Zoology (Cambridge, Massachusetts). Four hundred and fifty eight specimens of birds and eggs collected by Gerald and his father, Abbott, from other countries are held in museums in the United States.

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