Adapting to climate change down under

     Senior fellow Armando Carbonell has just returned from Australia, where he participated in the International Urban Planning and Environment Association's 10^th Symposium, Next City: Planning for a New Energy and Climate Future at the University of Sydney. He was also down under for the Australian launch of Resilient Coastal City Regions, which examines initiatives in adapating to the impacts of climate change in the U.S. and Australia, with co-author Ed Blakely. His takeaway: planners are taking climate change very seriously indeed, halfway around the world.
     "It is very dynamic on the planning and climate fronts, as the carbon tax is implemented," says Carbonell, chairman of the Department of Planning and Urban Form. There are not only many initiatives for adapting to climate impacts, from wildfires to drought to sea level rise, but an emerging system for evaluating adaptation measures, he reports. An additional thread through all the discussions relates to Aboriginal land rights, adaptation strategies, and perceptions of climate change among indigenous people.
     The impacts of global warming have been much in the news on these shores, as severe weather and drought in the Midwest wreak havoc on agricultural land and daily life. The analysis varies, but many suggest these are the early signs of things to come, including at least one converted skeptic.
     Resilient Coastal City Regions is now available as an eBook.

A smart cities framework

     About four decades ago computer scientist Vinton Cerf helped establish the Internet Protocol, a kind of common language, set of standards, and system for problem-solving and embracing best practices for the world wide web. In Barcelona last week, leaders from industry, global cities, and academia gathered to try to do something similar for cities: the City Protocol, a common framework for what it means to be a smart city.
     Barcelona was an appropriate launching pad for the initiative. The city is revamping its bus lines, creating new super-efficient distributed energy systems, and improving garbage collection, all using sensors and other new technology. Organizers stressed that using technology to manage the 21st century city was critical to save money, be more sustainable, and accomodate rapid increases in urban populations through infrastructure and basic services.
     A full report is viewable at The Atlantic Cities, The Atlantic Monthly's online site about all things urban.