Durban named one of 100 Resilient Cities in programme

DURBAN was announced as one of 30 successful cities to be inaugurated into the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities programme at an Innovation Forum focusing on building resilient cities.

The deputy head of Environmental Planning and Climate Protection, Dr Debra Robert, said this programme represents a significant opportunity for eThekwini Municipality.

“This is a significant achievement, and is a sign of the growing international respect for Durban as a global leader and city of action, particularly in the fields of water governance and climate change adaptation. This programme has the potential to bring the city’s strengths together in a better coordinated plan for resilience, as the world moves into an uncertain and unpredictable future,” said Robert.

Durban was chosen out of 400 cities across six continents that applied for the 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge. The applications were reviewed by a panel of eight esteemed judges that included former US president, Bill Clinton, and former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo.

The 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge in Durban will be led by a cross-sectorial team within the municipality, under Dr Debra Roberts as the chief resilience officer.

It is critical that the process also engages a range of stakeholders such as tertiary institutions, NGOs, business and the public. It is also anticipated that specialist expertise will be provided by the Rockefeller Foundation to support the development of Durban’s Resilience Plan.