New frontiers for Humanitarians in Cities: Inclusive and sustainable urban recovery and reconstruction

Disasters can have devastating and disrupting effects on the economic growth, social and cultural development of residents, alongside the quality of both built and natural environment of cities and their surroundings. Recovery processes begin with the first action undertaken by affected populations themselves and provides an opportunity to build back safer, better and in a more sustainable way to reduce future risks. The New Urban Agenda (NUA) recognizes that the spatial organization, accessibility, and design of urban space, as well as infrastructure and basic service provision, together with development policies, can promote or hinder social cohesion, equality, and inclusion. During recovery each decision made by urban actors, from the people who are trying to rebuild their lives, all the way up to government authorities redesigning their policy and regulations, have implications on the sustainable urban development. Convening a diverse set of stakeholders, the event will explore innovative solutions and reflect on key factors that would lead to sustained and inclusive urban recovery, reconstruction and development.

1. Integrated housing solutions for urban recovery: The Philippines Red Cross will share the lessons learned from the recovery and reconstruction program in the aftermath of the Typhoon Haiyan in Marasbaras & San Jose, Tacloban City. The program aims integrated area based solutions to address issues such as land and property rights, leasing, renting, ownership challenges, access to utilities, social economic opportunities as well as building safer housing.

2. Role of Ecosystems Protection in Urban Recovery: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) will talk about their 'Nature Protects People' strategy and how protecting fragile ecosystems surrounding cities can help faster recovery and inter-dependence of urban/rural systems.

3. IDP's protection at the heart of urban displacement: Internal displacement is transforming urban space - rapidly expanding small towns into large informal settlements in Nigeria, and dramatically increasing the density of urban space in relatively safer parts of cities in Somalia, Syria and Iraq. This presentation draws on a new ICRC study of urban displacement to shape a positive urban agenda for the protection, assistance and integration of IDPs and host communities in today's conflict and violence.

4. Area based urban recovery programs: ACTED-IMPACT will explain the benefits of multi-sectoral approach to urban sudden onset or protracted crises, with examples of recovery ranging from Port-au-Prince, Tacloban to Bangui.

5. 'Build Back Safer' an IFRC member on contingency plans; early warning systems; promotion of resilient shelter and infrastructure; DRR into recovery and rehabilitation processes; land-use planning and structural standards improvement; relocation of public facilities and infrastructures to safer places.

6. A local Municipal Authority. Within their own countries National Societies have an auxiliary role to their respective Governments. At city level the RCRC volunteer network acts as disaster first responders and ensure the link between vulnerable communities and their local counterparts. The view of a city mayor from crisis-prone city will highlight such unique collaboration.