Integration of urban science and urban climate adaptation research: opportunities to advance climate action
José Lobo, Rimjhim Aggarwal, Marina Alberti, Melissa Allen‐Dumas, Luís M. A. Bettencourt, Christopher G. Boone, Christa Brelsford, Vanesa Castán Broto, Hallie Eakin, Sharmistha Bagchi‐Sen, Sara Meerow, Celine D’Cruz, Aromar Revi, Debra Roberts, Michael E. Smith, Abigail M. York, Tao Lin, Xuemei Bai, William Solecki, Diane E. Pataki, Luís Bojorquez Tapia, Marcy Rockman, Marc Wolfram, Peter Schlösser, Nicolas Gauthier
Abstract
There is a growing recognition that responding to climate change necessitates urban adaptation. We sketch a transdisciplinary research effort, arguing that actionable research on urban adaptation needs to recognize the nature of cities as social networks embedded in physical space. Given the pace, scale and socioeconomic outcomes of urbanization in the Global South, the specificities and history of its cities must be central to the study of how well-known agglomeration effects can facilitate adaptation. The proposed effort calls for the co-creation of knowledge involving scientists and stakeholders, especially those historically excluded from the design and implementation of urban development policies.