Climate-proofing Cities: Resilience and Adaptation Discussion

NEW YORK - March 21, 2013 - PRLog -- Five months ago, Superstorm Sandy wreaked economic, social, and structural havoc, resulting in an estimated 25 billion dollars in lost business activity, 8.1 million homes without power across 17 states, and over 305,000 damaged or destroyed housing units in New York alone. The long-lasting effects of this now-historic natural disaster serve as a wake-up call, heightening public discourse on the topic of the vulnerability and resilience of major cities like New York. Questions of how to build smart, sustainable, and resilient cities require answers. What actions can large cities take to further improve their ability to adapt to climate change and its impact? How is climate adaptation incorporated into spatial planning processes, and to what extent do cities themselves affect the local climate?

An upcoming March 27, 2013, event on climate-proofing cities at the German Center for Research and Innovation (GCRI) will include a presentation by the highly sought after geophysicist Prof. Klaus H. Jacob. His talk will focus on sea level rise and storm surges, in particular the need for change and resilience posed by climate change-induced threats as experienced by Superstorm Sandy. TIME Magazine named Prof. Jacob, who researches and teaches at Columbia University, “one of the people who mattered in 2012” for his prescient analysis on what New York City’s infrastructure could expect from a hundred-year storm in the now-famous 2011 Responding to Climate Change in New York State report, also known as the ClimAID study.

He will be joined by David Armour, Chief City Executive for New York City, Siemens Corporation. Mr. Armour will speak on resilience scenarios and urban development, as well as explain the complexity of resilience practices for municipalities, such as New York City.    

Robert D. Yaro, President and CEO of Regional Plan Association (RPA), America’s oldest independent metropolitan policy, research, and advocacy group, will conclude the presentations. Mr. Yaro, who now leads RPA’s effort to create a 4th Regional Plan for the region, also founded and co-chairs America 2050, RPA’s initiative to create a national infrastructure plan and growth strategy for the United States.

The discussion will be moderated by James T. Gallagher, Senior Manager for Strategic Planning at the New York Independent System Operator.

The event, which is organized by the German Center for Research and Innovation in cooperation with the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany New York and American Friends of Bucerius, will take place on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the German House New York (871 United Nations Plaza, First Avenue, btw. 48th & 49th Streets). RSVP by March 25, here: http://form.jotformpro.com/form/30696643163963

Unable to attend? A video recording will be available on http://www.germaninnovation.org shortly after the event – or follow @gcri_ny and the hashtag #climatecities on Twitter for live tweets.

About the German Center for Research and Innovation
The German Center for Research and Innovation provides information and support for the realization of cooperative and collaborative projects between North America and Germany. With the goal of enhancing communication on the critical challenges of the 21st century, the GCRI hosts a wide range of events from lectures and exhibitions to workshops and science dinners. Opened in February 2010, the GCRI was created as a cornerstone of the German government’s initiative to internationalize science and research and is one of five German Houses of Research and Innovation worldwide: http://www.germaninnovation.info