News & Events
The Mekong Think Tank Urban Heat Project Consortium met the Strategy and Evaluation Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Authority to discuss the Multi Criteria Vulnerability Assessment Methodology developed as part of the project. The team discussed the MCVA Assessment Criteria, Key Heat Vulnerability Indicators and the Key Measurement Categories & Data Requirements. Ms. Pannarai Chingchit, Deputy Director-General of Strategy and Evaluation Department led the discussion from BMA while ADPC and TEI represented the consortium for the discussion.
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) in collaboration with Alluvium, Australia, Thailand Environment Institute, RMIT University Vietnam and B-Kode Belgium, as part of the Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks Network Program Flagship Research Studies being led by ADPC launched the project “Urban Heat Resilience: Bridging Science, Policy, and Sustainable Design” A round 30 participants, including important stakeholders such as the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, the Department of Climate Change and Environment, Thailand Meteorological Department, Community Organizations Development Institute, National Housing Authority of Thailand and the Bin Dinh Climate Change Committee Office, Vietnam participated in the project launch workkshop.
The event featured insightful keynote addresses from prominent figures in the field. Mr. Aslam Perwaiz, the Deputy Executive Director of ADPC emphasized the urgent need for inclusive approaches to urban planning that prioritize heat mitigation and public health. He highlighted the role of science in informing policy decisions and the importance of cross-sector collaboration. This initiative is supported by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia, and brings together an exceptional group of stakeholders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners. Together, ADPC will work to enhance Bangkok’s resilience and share lessons with second-tier cities in Vietnam, with a focus on supporting vulnerable communities.
The workshop concluded with a commitment to continue the dialogue and implement the strategies discussed.
Key outcomes included decision
- To empower local administrative organisation and vulnerable communities for making knowledge-based decision regarding urban heat reduction;
- Support inclusive planning and policymaking processes to address thermal inequities ;
- Meaningful engagement with and address concerns of vulnerable communities particularly Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion; and
- Partnership building and synergies with other relevant initiatives for positive impact and sustainability.
ADPC, TEI and Alluvium carried out a stakeholder consultation from 23 -24 September 2024. The team interacted with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, CODI and the community representatives of the Klong Toei area.
At COP29 in Azerbaijan, Ms. Ananya Bhatia from Asian Disaster Preparedness Center joined a virtual session at the Water for Climate Pavilion, organized by Australian Water Partnership in collaboration with Monash University and Alluvium. The virtual event highlighted key issues on the Indo-Pacific water agenda with a series of presentations from across the Pacific, South Asia and Southeast Asia. The session explored ‘Water, Communities and Climate Adaptation in South Asia’, hosted by Alluvium.
Ananya shared her experience on “Addressing Urban Heat Vulnerability in South Asian Cities: Community-Based Approaches and Climate Resilience.” The presentation emphasized the urgent issue of urban heat vulnerability in South Asian cities, which is worsening due to extreme heat events and rapid urbanization. This situation disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. She highlighted the significant connection between urban heat and the water crisis, with studies in South Asian cities indicating that inadequate water supply exacerbates the effects of heat. Community-centered interventions, such as localized heat action plans and traditional cooling practices, have shown promises in addressing these challenges were discussed. Collaboration on effective solutions that harmonize economic growth with sustainable development is essential for building resilient urban environments in the face of increasing climate risks were suggested.
The session had other presentations from South Asian Experts. The session summarized the following:
Flood Mitigation Initiatives: Speakers discussed spatial flood modeling in three cities in Maharashtra to assess flood risks, identify vulnerable areas, and advocate for sustainable urban development.
Urban Heat Vulnerabilities: The conversation highlighted how urban heat impacts disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, promoting community-centered interventions and localized heat action plans.
Call for Collaboration and Policy: Speakers emphasized the importance of developing climate-smart, water-inclusive policies and fostering regional collaboration to build climate resilience, especially in mountainous regions that are affected by climate change.
The session Recording can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/live/7QdbwiqkAk0?si=YgWziIP9uFfAcvrO
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