Giving Compass' Take:

• Cailin Crowe provides insight on the Resilient Cities Network, a comprehensive strategy to address COVID-19, climate danger, and systemic inequities.

• Why is it important to develop a network of resilient cities to weather the unprecedented challenged of COVID-19? What can you do to support collaborative climate initiatives in your own community?

• Read more about how cities can implement resilient tech solutions into their COVID-19 recovery efforts.

The Global Resilient Cities Network unveiled a new name, leadership and operational focus last week to promote more equitable communities and improve the ability for cities to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group is now dubbed Resilient Cities Network (RCN), dropping the word "global" to to create a "shorter, stronger name that captures our legacy of leadership embedded in the network," a spokesperson wrote to Smart Cities Dive. RCN said it will focus on three priorities over the next two years through a "holistic resilience approach" that's anticipated to benefit 220 million citizens globally:

  • Pursuing a resilient recovery that reinforces equity, promotes public-private partnerships, and encourages stronger economies.
  • Building climate resilience to protect residents from water-related challenges while strengthening community ability to cope with climate change.
  • Promoting circular economies via indigenous and technological solutions that enhance waste management and food systems.

The word "resilience" has taken on a new meaning in the face of the pandemic, RCN Executive Director Lauren Sorkin wrote in an email interview. "We’ve always talked about the way resilience speaks to the interconnected nature of a globalized society, and now we’re seeing just how much the relationships between cities and communities impact their ability to survive and thrive in the face of this challenge."

The network arrived at their three priorities for the coming years by taking stock of the over 4,000 resilience initiatives prioritized by its network cities, according to Sorkin. "Climate resilience and circular economy emerged as key themes shaping the resilience agenda globally," she wrote.

Read the full article about the resilient cities network by Cailin Crowe at Smart Cities Dive.