Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN), an initiative of The Rockefeller Foundation recently launched “Road to Resilience”, a guide to creating resilient cities in New Delhi.

“Road to Resilience” is in consonance with the primary objectives of creating cities which are resilient to physical, social, economic and environmental challenges. It addresses the issues related to the most urgent emergencies and stresses faced by cities which are caused by severe weather conditions, climatic changes and increasing population. It provides a way forward which can be implemented by urban local bodies and municipalities to respond to adverse events and at the same time deliver basic amenities and services even in challenging times to all citizens.

The book authored by G.K. Bhat, Director TARU Leading Edge was launched in the presence of Anand Singh Bhal, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Urban Development.

Speaking at the launch, G. K. Bhat said “I am very thankful to ACCCRN for supporting this book which I sincerely hope will act as a guide to all practitioners, Municipal and city managers in their journey towards making their cities “Resilient”. I hope this book will provide a road map and solutions to the government based on principles of conjunctive management of resources to make cities resilient to physical, social and economic challenges. Road to Resilience aims to strike a balance between urban development and environmental concerns”.

The book launch was followed by an interesting panel discussion moderated by Mr. Rameesh Kailasam, Senior Director APCO Worldwide around ‘Building Resilient Cities’ – Challenges & Opportunities” which was attended by eminent practitioners, dignitaries and academia such as Prof. Jagan Shah, Director, National Institute of Urban Affairs; Dr. R. Gopichandran, Director, Vigyan Prasar; Dr. G.K. Bhat, Director TARU Leading Edge Pvt. Ltd and Prof. Amitabh Kundu, Centre for the Study of Regional Development, Jawaharlal Nehru University. The panel discussion deliberated on a range of subjects around Resilience that covered challenges and opportunities for urban micro-planning, decentralised management of services, reaching the unreached, climate change dimensions from the perspective of urbanisation in Indian context and ideas about rural-urban connections and creating “urb-rural” environments that can create green jobs and better air and peace in our cities.

The launch was marked by attendance of representatives and practitioners from institutions, government, research organizations and think tanks that work around climate change, energy, urban planning