Making Cities Resilient Report 2012

The population of the city of Mashhad, a megacity
and the second largest in Iran, is expected to
double in the next ten years. As a Campaign Role
Model City with innovative urban regeneration
projects that embrace high seismic standards,
Mashhad has created the capacity to support
other municipalities in Khorasane Razavi Province
(and other megacities in Iran) to develop
standards, disseminate experience, and host
training and drills on disaster risk reduction.
Photo: UNISDR
In the cities of Narok, Kisumu and Moshi, for example, the consultation process for the application of the
self-assessment tool has provided a concrete opportunity to discuss disaster risk reduction. As a result
of taking part in the assessment, city knowledge and networks have expanded and stimulated further
interest and demand for information (40).
The process of applying the assessment tool has also encouraged governmental departments to work
more closely together, to understand their specific roles and responsibilities in risk reduction, and to
embed risk reduction activities across departments and sectors. Using the tool has also inspired cities
to expand multiple stakeholder participation. They are encouraged to work together to assess the gaps
and challenges that remain in reducing disaster risk. Twenty-three pilot cities used the tool in 2011, and
many other Campaign cities are now in the pipeline. See Box 2.3 for examples of the impact of the Local
Government Self-Assessment Tool on city resilience activities.
More often, national governments are using the Campaign to support stronger local level capacities
to deliver national policies on disaster risk reduction. Countries like Argentina, Lebanon, Indonesia,
Philippines and Sweden are promoting the Campaign’s objectives and tools directly to local governments
through their disaster management offices and National Associations of Municipalities. Argentina is using
the Campaign to develop a comprehensive local risk management proposal for building urban resilience.
The proposal identifies four priorities, which the Argentine government has offered as guidance for the
Campaign’s next phase of development. These include: (a) influencing institutional change, (b) introducing
legislative changes, (c) putting change into operational practice, and (d) training.
Cities have outlined further challenges they would like to see the Campaign address going forward (65):
• More guidance on how to implement disaster risk reduction measures and design appropriate
policies.
• The Ten Essentials and the HFA Local Government Self-Assessment Tool are good starting points for
monitoring, but more information is needed on how to validate the actions taken.
• More action is required on linking city activities to existing and on-going national programmes
and projects, as this is crucial for sustainability.
“Not knowing about disaster risk is a dereliction of duty. The
Campaign gives every city an opportunity to see itself as part of
a global network to reduce disaster risk, which ought to be part
of every government’s core mandate. Through its various tools,
resources and training events, the Campaign serves an important
function in raising awareness of disaster risk to both local and
national levels.”
Hon. Lianne Dalziel, Member of Parliament, Christchurch East, New Zealand
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