According to the International Organization for Migration IOM, in 2023, natural disasters forced millions of people to leave their homes and cities in search of shelter. The number was higher than displacements due to war, repression or violence.
Speaking about the impact caused by climate change and using the example of the current scenario in Rio Grande do Sul, the tendency, unfortunately, is for these displacements to continue. According to the international agency, an unprecedented 75.9 million people lived in internal displacement at the end of 2023. According to the entity, the survey is a “clear reminder of the urgent and coordinated need to expand disaster risk reduction , support peacebuilding, ensure the protection of human rights and, where possible, prevent displacement before it happens.”
Prevention
When we look at the consequences of what we are experiencing, the lack of planning is one of the factors that most generate the negative effect on urban areas. Lack of adequate infrastructure, congestion, environmental problems, health risks and social inequality are at the top of the list. A good plan with the presence of effective public policies and participation of civil society, with the private urban planning sector, are vital for the good functioning of metropolises without major impacts on nature.
The appropriate approach would be one of open dialogue and mutual consultation, sharing information, common challenges and collaborating to develop solutions. The involvement of local communities is also essential, considering their needs in matters such as housing, transport, health, environment and socio-economic development. Public-private partnerships are incentives that can bring good results, transferring technical competence and investments in infrastructure to the private partner instead of leaving everything in the hands of one unit.
A great example of how to create solutions is the recent publication ‘My Neighborhood’ by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, which offers a list of urban design principles to create more sustainable and resilient cities. Containing actions applicable at the neighborhood scale, it presents an integrated approach that responds to key sectors, such as transport, local urban initiatives, housing, public spaces, public services and others.
The dissemination was divided into five themes, each highlighting desirable aspects of urban life: Compact City, Connected City, Inclusive City, Vibrant City and Resilient City. Offers actionable principles to help key urban actors collaborate and design solutions at a local scale.
The publication’s ultimate objective is to help create good neighborhoods, understood as areas that provide an environment conducive to a better quality of life for everyone. The scale of the neighborhood ensures maximum impact from these strategies, without losing sight of the city systems that feed the neighborhood.
(Photo: Rafael Leão/Unsplash)
Restitution
Once neighborhoods have grown in a disorderly manner and with high demographic density, it becomes much more difficult to fix them. However, it is always possible to study the conditions and analyze what needs to be done to improve the quality of life and safety of neighborhoods. The involvement of communities in planning improvements is essential, especially in highly populated regions.
It is necessary to analyze the impact of all actions and initiatives considering not only people’s immediate needs, but also the long-term impacts on the environment and sustainable development of cities. To this end, some themes cannot be left aside, such as the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, waste management/recycling, conservation of water resources and environmental education not only in schools, but also with public/social campaigns . We can see examples in the cities of Singapore, located on the Malay Peninsula, in Southeast Asia, Songdo (smart city, also called Ubiquitous City), located in South Korea, and Brasília, in the Federal District, designed in the 1960s.
Unfortunately, according to the global report on Internal Displacement, disasters continue to displace millions of people every year and gain new intensity. In 2023, disasters such as Cyclone Freddy in Southeast Africa, earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and Cyclone Mocha in the Indian Ocean led to 26.4 million displacements, representing 56% of total new internal displacements. The study further stated that, in the coming years, the number of people displaced by disasters is expected to increase as the frequency, duration and intensity of natural hazards worsen in the context of climate change.
Summary
Speaking about the impact caused by climate change and using the example of the current scenario in Rio Grande do Sul, the tendency, unfortunately, is for displacement to continue. Still according to the international agency, an unprecedented number of 75.9 million people lived in internal displacement at the end of 2023.
* This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the vehicle
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