A recent book co-edited by Professor Ali Cheshmehzangi and collaborators gives new insight into forward-looking, multidisciplinary strategies for tackling climate change in cities around the globe.
Across 16 chapters, Cities of Tomorrow: Urban Resilience and Climate Change Preparedness combines theoretical insights, practical case studies and innovative solutions that interrogate the intersection of urban resilience and climate change preparedness. The book is published by Springer as part of its Urban Sustainability series.
Professor Cheshmehzangi said practitioners, policymakers and community must embrace future-focused strategies and collaborative approaches if we are to overcome the complex challenges cities face amidst rapid urbanisation and changing climate patterns.
“The book highlights the significance of the climate change issue and the link between urban resilience and climate solutions – this also addresses the importance of the future of our existing cities, as well as future cities or living habitats,” said Professor Cheshmehzangi, Head of the UQ School of Architecture, Design and Planning and Editor-in-Chief of Springer’s Urban Sustainability series.
“What sets this book apart is its emphasis on forward-looking strategies, multidisciplinary insights and a comprehensive exploration of cutting-edge technologies and collaborative approaches, particularly in the built environment sector.
“This approach helps us think more holistically across disciplines to ensure our future is nurtured with excellent design and planning solutions.”
The book integrates knowledge from various disciplines, including urban planning, environmental science, sustainability, architecture and landscape design.
Part 1 provides the reader with an understanding of urban resilience and climate change, and includes chapters that explore the integration of urban masterplanning with Environmental Impact Assessment, the role of ecosystems as climate regulators and sources of resilience, and ways of adapting cities to climate change challenges.
Part 2 looks at integrating resilience into urban planning practice, with chapters that focus on various case studies in India: the links between urban transformation and climate resilience in Mumbai, the role of urban form in ecosystem service provisioning in Kolkota, and a study in Midnapore that models urban growth, demand–supply dynamics and climate resilience.
Part 3 focuses on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. These chapters delve into disaster resilience in Fiji, the impact of green space characteristics on enhancing reliance of urban canyons in microclimates, leveraging nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, and the impact of genetic variability.
Part 4 explores the role of community engagement in resilience building. This section includes a case study on the forgotten urban waters and green areas of Dhaka in Bangladesh, a look at policymaking for urban climate resilience in a multi-level government system, and a systematic review of the challenges of implementing urban ecosystem-based adaptations to climate change in developing countries.
The final section, part 5, looks at technological innovations for urban resilience. This includes using innovating technology applications in the development of a climate resilience framework for cities, a resilience planning case study on the metamorphosis of the Zorrotzaurre peninsula in Spain, and inspired artificial intelligence applications in disaster-resilient regional construction.
The Springer Urban Sustainability series is a collection of edited volumes that provide valuable resources for sustainability and urban-related education and research. The books are aimed at urbanists, geographers, planners, engineers, architects, governmental authorities, policymakers, researchers of all levels, and anyone interested in urban sustainability and its associated fields.
Cities of Tomorrow: Urban Resilience and Climate Change Preparedness is edited by Ali Cheshmehzangi, Shovan Gosh and Sushobhan Majumdar.
