Several of the developing countries in the world are under-resourced and not able to serve the basic needs of the population and covid 19 has worsened the situation. Majority of the poor communities in these cities are in utter poverty, low productivity and poor health, according to Global Center on Adaptation.
It is not the developing countries that face the burden but several cities in developed countries also have the same plight. The cities in developed nations have reported growing inequalities. Moreover, the Global Center on Adaptation pointed out that cities are also making less investment in social safety nets.
The Global Center on Adaptation pointed out that COVID-19 pandemic has exposed urban inequities more than ever. They said that more than a billion city dwellers lacked access to affordable and secure housing. And about three billion lacked access to basic hand washing facilities in their homes. It said that about 70 per cent of urban population in developing countries lacked access to important services and infrastructure and they had to rely on alternate arrangements for sanitation, water, sanitation, energy and even transportation.
With revenue declining and budgetary shortfalls in cities, the Global Center on Adaptation said that city was planning was disrupted. This has led to abandoning some of the major infrastructure projects and even capital investments. All these have led to crippling jobs and also impacted t6he local economy.
However, the Global Center on Adaptation noted that the cities around the world could use the covid 19 pandemic for redefining the future. They could come up with solutions to build a more just, green and resilient future.
The Global Center on Adaptation pointed out that cities should rethink of using and managing public spaces, essential services and infrastructure. It said that many of the city rulers have started to think of alternative ways of transportation networks so as to make their cities healthy and green. They have started building spaces for micro mobility of pedestrians and cyclists.
The Global Center on Adaptation also noted that the rulers and administrators should think of activating and integrating mainstream grassroot responses into their recovery efforts.
They have prioritised six solutions for cities as follows;
- Strengthen climate resilience and basic services of urban poor settlements
- Build water resilient cities.
- Advance nature-based solutions to address climate risks.
- Build knowledge networks for urban adaptation.
- Build knowledge networks for urban adaptation.
- Support peer-to-peer city collaboration for deep, long-term and systemic change.
