On June 10, 2024, the Cellule d’information pour la politique urbaine (CIPU) hosted its first workshop of the year, focusing on the crucial topic of climate-resilient urban development. The event took place at the Ellergronn Nature Reserve in Esch-sur-Alzette, where participants gathered to explore strategies that could help Luxembourg’s cities and municipalities adapt to the growing challenges posed by climate change.
The workshop commenced with a guided tour of the “Transition NOW” exhibition at the Ellergronn Nature Reserve. This exhibition highlighted how human activities affect the environment and the climate, underscoring the urgent need for cities to adapt to changing conditions. Following the tour, participants received a thematic introduction to key concepts such as resilience, climate resilience, and climate adaptation. Jeannot Behm, representing the city of Esch-sur-Alzette, presented the city’s ongoing activities related to climate change, resilience, and public awareness.
Following the introductory presentations, participants engaged in a collaborative group work phase that focused on key thematic areas related to climate-resilient urban development. Firstly, everyone moved through different groups to identify priorities and gather ideas across the four central themes: Urban and District Planning, Built Environment, Emergency Management and Crisis Communication, and Supply and Disposal Systems. These discussions were recorded on thematic posters to capture diverse perspectives and insights. In the subsequent phase, participants were divided into set groups, each focusing on one of the specific themes. They delved deeper into the identified priorities, discussing challenges, exploring potential solutions, and outlining concrete actions to enhance resilience in their respective areas.
Urban and District Planning: The discussions on urban and district planning focused on the importance of incorporating nature-based solutions to increase the resilience of cities. Participants explored the potential of the “sponge city” concept, which involves creating green spaces and water retention areas to manage stormwater and reduce urban heat islands. There was a strong emphasis on maintaining a balance between built environments and natural areas, implementing cooling strategies through tree planting and shaded public spaces, and promoting the “15-minute city” model to enhance local accessibility. Key messages included the need for comprehensive risk assessments, thoughtful urban design that prioritises sustainability, and the development of policies that encourage resilient urban planning practices.
Built Environment: In the group of the built environment, participants discussed strategies for designing and retrofitting buildings to withstand the impacts of climate change, such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and storms. The conversation highlighted the importance of using sustainable building materials and promoting low-tech, resource-efficient construction methods. Participants called for the development of clear legal frameworks and financial incentives to support climate-resilient architecture. Public sector building projects were seen as critical for demonstrating best practices and leading by example. The discussions concluded that a coordinated effort involving policymakers, architects, and builders is necessary to mainstream climate-resilient building practices.
Emergency Management and Crisis Communication: This group focused on the development of robust emergency management strategies and clear communication plans to ensure preparedness for extreme weather events. Participants stressed the importance of early warning systems, clearly defined action plans, and regular simulation exercises to enhance readiness. Community engagement emerged as a key theme, with discussions emphasising the need to educate the public about potential risks and appropriate responses. The session highlighted the necessity of strong coordination and the establishment of dedicated units composed of citizens and technical experts to oversee emergency management efforts.
Supply and Disposal Systems: The final group discussed sustainable approaches to managing water, energy, and waste in urban environments. Participants examined strategies for improving water quality, promoting water recycling, and implementing rainwater harvesting systems to reduce reliance on fresh water. The concept of the circular economy was central to discussions on waste management, with a focus on reusing materials and reducing overall waste production. The group also emphasised the importance of local renewable energy production and storage to ensure energy security and reduce carbon footprints. Key outcomes included the need for integrated planning that incorporates circular economy principles, local sourcing, and the exploitation of synergies between different urban systems.
After the vivid group discussions, the participants gathered in a final plenary session to reflect on the developed results. The guided tour through the exhibition “Transition Now” as well as the presentations emphasised the necessity of adapting urban spaces to the challenges imposed by climate change. The workshop highlighted the often-blurred lines between climate adaptation and climate resilience, revealing a need for clearer understanding and practical knowledge in these areas. Political support, resource allocation, public awareness, and effective collaboration among stakeholders were recognised as essential for the successful implementation of these strategies. Clear political and legal frameworks, both at the national and local level, were also deemed critical to support these efforts.
Building on these outcomes, the second CIPU workshop, which will take place on October 9, 2024, will focus on developing key elements of a climate resilience strategy at municipal level to strengthen Luxembourg’s urban areas. The goal is to identify starting points to actionable solutions that can be quickly implemented and contribute to long-term sustainable urban development, further sharpening the approaches discussed in this workshop.
If you are interested in a more detailed description of the workshop and the results of the group discussions, you can access the documentation here.
Contact
- CIPU: cipu@zeyenbaumann.lu
References
- Workshop documentation (German): https://cipu.lu/
- Resilience plan Esch-sur-Alzette: https://administration.esch.lu/2023/01/27/esch-pionniere-presente-son-plan-de-resilience/
- The title image has been created with ChatGPT (DALL-E)
