City leaders around the world are looking to make their cities more resilient: able to cope with emergencies and provide a safe, sustainable place for citizens.
That means tackling a whole host of issues, from floods or fire to corruption and unemployment. Different cities face very different challenges; but what can they each learn from one another?
The Guardian is hosting an online debate livechat, supported by EY, to examine how cities can become more resilient, and who is best-placed tolead that task.
Only a couple of score of dedicated city resilience officers exist. Who are they, and what do they do? And how do city leaders pick the people to tackle the complex issues involved in ensuring their cities are resilient? Our experts will highlight the cities that are ahead on this and how they are achieving the best results.
This is part of our series on innovative partnerships, which looks at the public, private and third sector organisations around the world working together for public good. Following the debate a summary of key points will be published online.
Join our livechat, which will take place in the comments section below this article, from 12:30-14:00 BST on Thursday 6 April 2017, when our expert panel will discuss, among other things:
- What are the key ingredients for success in creating a more resilient city?
- What is more important, resilient leadership and officers or the right infrastructure?
- Which cities are leading the way in creating a more resilient environment for their citizens?
The panel
George Atalla is EY’s Global Leader for the Government & Public Sector group.
Sarah Colenbrander is a researcher with the International Institute for Environment and Development. She specialises in governance and finance for urban resilience, and has recently co-edited a book, Responding to Climate Change in Asian Cities: Governance for a more resilient urban future. @s_colenbrander
Belinda Hewitt is a senior consultant at Arup International Development and has been closely involved in developing Arup’s flagship City Resilience Index, as well as mainstreaming resilience into DFID urban programming.
Layla McCay is director of the Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health. A psychiatrist, international public health and health systems specialist, and adjunct professor of international health at Georgetown University. @LaylaMcCay and @urbandesignmh
More panelists will be announced shortly. If you would like to be considered please email Kirstie.brewer@theguardian.com.
How to take part
The livechat takes place in the comments section below this article and will be moderated by Kirstie Brewer, commissioning editor on the Public Leaders Network.
To take part you can create a free Guardian account, or log in using your Twitter or Facebook profiles to comment. Alternatively, you can tweet us via@Guardianpublic or email any questions to kirstie.brewer@theguardian.com.
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