Pathways towards a social-ecological transformation in Asian cities

"Sustainable urban development requires proper planning for emission reductions, environmental protection, building resilience, and especially social justice as a core component of all actions. To achieve these goals, we must follow an inclusive and accessible pathway.” (Archer, Adelina 2020)

The Asia-Pacific is the most disaster-prone region in the world, according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2019. Countries in the region may face more frequent heat waves, floods, landslides, droughts, and sea-level rise, etc., which also have severe impacts on urban areas. And most recently the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the weaknesses of high-density urban areas, but also revealed unprecedently how environmental pollution could be reduced.

To outline the vision of a socially just and ecologically sustainable city, the Climate and Energy project in Asia of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung has cooperated with the researchers Diane Archer and Charrlotte Adelina from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) to conduct a regional study on “Social-ecological transformation in cities in Asia” and discussed the findings in a webinar on 4^th December.

In addition, five FES offices from Asia (India, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) have produced six episodes on the urban social-ecological transformation. Each of them focuses on a different aspect, such as housing, mobility, urban water ecology or circular economy – all elements of socially just and ecologically sustainable cities. From Mumbai to Hanoi, from Jakarta to Bangkok and Cebu City, each city is trying to find integrated solutions for inclusive and sustainable urban development. Take a look at them below: