The World Bank Group. Knowledge and Capacity for Climate Risk Management in Cities Habiba Gitay World Bank Institute February 2009 – Cities at Risk

The World Bank Group. 2 Knowledge for practical use The “knowledge cycle” Challenges – existing knowledge to knowledge use –Responding under “urgent” agenda –Integrating climate risk knowledge holistically into development agenda

The World Bank Group. 3 generate share apply R&D Synthesis Awareness raising Skills development Consensus building Fostering networks Formulate and Implement strategy, plans and programs Knowledge cycle

The World Bank Group. 4 Knowledge Generation Research & DevelopmentSynthesis Global focus –much of the scenario and modeling work, IPCC assessments Language –English dominated; hard for many city managers Community based work – but much in rural areas Coastal cities work –recent, externally driven Work on some specific sectors –e.g. ports, drainage, flood Strategies, e.g. Mexico City

The World Bank Group. 5 Knowledge sharing Most amongst peers Most in a passive mode: conferences and seminars –Most at international to national level –Most generic information Methods Demonstration Expert Speaker Expert Panel Interview Project-based Learning Brainstorming Case-based Learning Simulation/ Scenario building Forums

The World Bank Group. 6 Knowledge sharing Climate Portal – user oriented? Communication Platforms Wikis Blogs Most broad and not “meaningful” Limited capacity to use that knowledge in decision making

The World Bank Group. 7 Knowledge application Limited application for “adaptation” “Learning by doing” or “learning-by-failing” Link to disaster risk management – an entry point for many cities

The World Bank Group. 8 Some challenges Evaluation Assess, compare, review Analysis Application Apply, implement, manage, produce Knowledge Define, describe, recognize Focus of effort

The World Bank Group. 9 Knowledge application - challenges Fragmented responsibilities –Coordination and decision-making Focused on infrastructure as a “solution” not the suites of options Finance for local governments Bringing together lessons learned from “learning-by-doing” into the knowledge cycle fast

The World Bank Group. 10 Knowledge sharing Move from passive to active Methods Demonstration Expert Speaker Expert Panel Interview Project-based Learning Brainstorming Case-based Learning Simulation/ Scenario building Forums

Source: Gitay et al: MA subglobal assessment Apply what we know!

Information overload!

Learn from other areas: Change management Even if what people need to do is to explore new ways of doing things, they need to stop doing some of things that prevent them from making time for that exploration. First hand experience is the best teacher and a building block for problem solving and acquiring new competencies. The second best teacher is a story of success from someone people trust, respect and feel confident they can emulate.

The World Bank Group. 14 Some thoughts …… Move away from “emergency management” Understand the problem and develop an appropriate response - long- term and at the right spatial scale; not just technological solutions Not be externally driven but externally facilitated Facilitate peer-to-peer learning at appropriate spatial scale Facilitate networks and communities of practice: sustainable efforts at city level; collaborations with other cities – experiential learning; draw on the cities own experiences on climatic extremes for strategic planning Move from “mine”, “mine” “mine” to partnership - drawing on partners strengths Behavioural change and changes in decision-making; gatekeepers to become champions Share knowledge and apply it in timely manner – including discussion here to development outcomes (Global expert teams) Innovation needed: social not just technological

The World Bank Group. 15 Moving forward Attention to disasters and present pressures is fine, but need to go into more systematic changes within a dynamic decision-making (adaptive management) Science-policy-development practitioners: cross boundaries, change mind sets and do it in a timely manner