The Building a Climate-Resilient City series was prepared for the City of Edmonton and the City of Calgary by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the University of Winnipeg.

Climate change will have serious impacts for cities. In coming decades, building resilience will be essential urban policy and a smart investment for cities.

And while many cities are already beginning to build resilience in response to emerging threats associated with climate change, the strategies they are adopting are often win-win results, making them healthier, more attractive places to live and do business. Resilience is brandable, and demonstrates of city’s willingness to embrace innovation culture.

In a new series of research papers commissioned by the Canadian cities Edmonton and Calgary, we explore themes related to building climate-resilient cities. Here are eight examples of actions cities can take to foster resilience.

Overview
• Chicago, United States: Supporting Vertical Farms Through Better Zoning
• Iowa, United States: Using historical data to build robustness in the face of flooding
• Austin, Texas, United States: Saving residents money through smart grids
• Mississauga, Canada: Low-impact development standards for cleaner drinking water and less flooding
• Gibsons, Canada: Taking advantage of the lower costs and higher resiliency of natural systems
• St Paul, United States: Establishing an urban ecosystem
• Netherlands: Proactively planning for flooding by making room for rivers
• Calgary and Edmonton, Canada: Using multiple bottom lines

Much more information on The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) website, an award-winning independent think tank championing solutions to our planet’s greatest sustainability challenges.