‘A Rapid Global Review of Place-Based Urban Resilience’ Report Launch

The Green Estate CIC commissioned researchers from the University of Hull to draw together global discussions and case studies of ‘place-based urban resilience’ and to provide a working definition. This rapid review report explores how these approaches address the climate, ecological and societal crises that we face.

We will be using the report to help inform the development of a blueprint for place-based urban resilience in the Manor Castle Ward, Sheffield. We hope and encourage others to use the report in their own work and activities, genuinely engaging communities in participatory approaches of building resilience in practice.

The report presents a working definition of place-based urban resilience as;

“Place-based urban resilience is an evolving and complex systems concept. It refers to the capacity and capability of people, organisations and the natural environment within urban areas to prepare for, resist, respond, recover, adapt, learn and transform to minimise potential adverse impacts and maximise opportunities for a thriving socio-ecological system in the face of future stresses and shocks.

Central to this concept is ‘place’ which includes the i) physical location, ii) locale or the human environment and social interactions embedded in space and iii) sense of place understood as emotional and symbolic attachment that individuals and communities hold towards their urban area. Place-based urban resilience incorporates the identity, solidarity, wellbeing and values of people and place, ensuring that the context, characteristics, needs and priorities remain central in preparing for stresses and shocks.

An important element of the concept is recognising and engaging with the current systemic and power inequalities which adversely impact people and the natural environment within urban places. Place-based urban resilience encourages critical reflection, reimagining and restructuring of urban socio-ecological systems to tackle the intersecting climate, ecological and social injustices.”