UCR-CoP Newsletter: Edition 3 (March 2015)

UCR-CoP newsletter, March 2015
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Welcome to our March 2015 newsletter

Welcome to the first UCR-CoP Newsletter of 2015. This edition features the recent annual planning meeting of UCR-CoP, and the official launch of the Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network Program into a membership-based network. In this edition, you can also read about the next round of cities selected for the 100 Resilient Cities Challenge and get to know Professor. Dr. Do Hau, Vice President of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association.

Upcoming activities

The UCR-CoP shared calendar is the information center for our community of practice. Visit the calendar to learn about fellow members' activities and add your own activities, projects and events.

26-27 March 2015
MoC-GIZ Workshop on Urban Flood Proofing and Drainage in consideration of Climate Change in Ho Chi Minh City, specific venue TBC (learn more)

Thursday, 02 April 2015
VIUP-Cascadia Workshop on Vietnam Climate Impacts Decision Support Tool (CIMPACT-DST): Expanding a decision-support tool for urban climate resilience across Vietnam in Hanoi, specific venue TBC (learn more)

Recent activity

The annual planning meeting of UCR-CoP was organized on 03 March, 2015, with more than 20 participants from the core working group of UCR-CoP attending. Urban Development System and Urban Planning are two thematic working groups that were formed as the result of the discussions. All UCR-CoP members can sign up to either or both of these thematic working groups by clicking here.

Meet Professor. Dr. Do Hau!

In each newsletter, we get to know a little bit more about one of our fellow members. Read on to meet Professor. Dr. Do Hau from VUDPA!

News and discussion

Read on to check out some interesting articles and discussions that are currently circulating online on the topic of urban climate resilience. In this edition, we feature recent posts on the launch of the ACCCRN Network, the 100 Resilient Cities Challenge and a recent report released by Oxfam on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

Member profile

Professor. Dr. Do Hau, Vice President, The Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association (VUDPA)

When did you join VUDPA and what does your role involve?
I joined VUPDA when it was founded in 1998 and I have been the Secretary-General and Vice President of VUPDA since 2010. I am in charge of training and foreign cooperation activities in the Association. Since 2014, I have been working as the Director of the Research Institute on Urban Planning and Development.

How did you become interested in the topic of urban climate resilience?
In the fields of urban planning and development there are many issues which influence the process of planning and development, especially in Vietnam which is one of the countries suffering the most from the severe impacts of climate change. VUPDA is the leading NGO organization in Vietnam for urban planning and development related issues, therefore I became interested in the issues of urban climate resilience.

What are some of the main activities or projects your organization is currently working on that relate to urban climate resilience?
VUPDA currently works with the Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN) in collaboration with ISET, providing Professional training for urban planners and architects under the Vietnam National Engagement and Extension of Resilience Practice Project. The main activities of VUPDA in this project are organizing training courses on urbanization and climate change for urban planners and architects.

Tell us a fact that we might be surprised to learn about you.
My hobbies include travelling in order to explore and learn from the different cultures and listening to music, especially classical music.

Urban climate resilience news from around the world

Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network Launch

Last month the Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network Program officially launched into a practitioner-based network. The membership-based network provides support to individuals and practitioners committed to building urban climate change resilience in the Asian region. To read more about this exciting new network and sign up to be a member, click here.

100 Resilient Cities

In December 2014, 100 Resilient Cities announced the second round of cities selected to join the 100 Resilient Cities Challenge. 35 cities from around the world were selected to join the challenge to become more resilient to the physical, social and economic challenges facing this planet. To learn more about the selected cities and read about five lessons learned from the first round of cities, click here.

Can't Afford to Wait - Oxfam Report

A report published by Oxfam late last year, has called for governments in Asia to lead on and deliver effective and inclusive climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction policy. The report found that the current policy, institutional arrangements and resources are not yet delivering results for the people who are bearing the brunt of climate change in Asia. To read the full report, which includes a series of recommendations to be carried out by governments and regional and global institutions, click here.