16 January 2024 – Quezon City, the most populous city in the Philippines with more than 3 million inhabitants, has joined the Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities) today. The move is a commitment from the city leadership to enhance the resilience of a city that anticipates facing a growing number of shocks and stresses in the coming years.
The city is susceptible to a range of shocks including heatwaves, floods, and typhoons, as well as stresses such as traffic congestion, informal settlements and pollution. In response to these challenges, Quezon City has shown strong leadership in climate change adaptation and resilience, establishing its Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) and creating the nation’s first dedicated Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department.
“Quezon City, like many other cities in the Philippines, is vulnerable to extreme heat, tropical cyclones, and flooding. Unfortunately, these weather conditions are mostly felt by low-income and vulnerable communities. Since the worsening climate crisis gravely affects lives, health, livelihood, and community, the local government must be at the forefront of efforts to mitigate these impacts and create a sustainable, livable, and resilient city for everyone,” Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte said.
To accelerate the pace of urban transformation and benefit from the knowledge of resilience practitioners worldwide, Quezon City is joining R-Cities – the world’s leading urban resilience network, made up of nearly 100 cities across six regions globally, including Paris, Cape Town, New York City, Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, and Singapore.
R-Cities currently collaborates with the city government of Quezon City on the OASIS Schoolyards program to transform schoolyards into green, multi-use community spaces that are resilient to both heatwaves and flooding. The initiative, supported by the Temasek Foundation, aims to ultimately improve the learning environment and outcomes for Filipino students while simultaneously addressing the challenges of climate change.
“After over a year of partnership to transform schoolyards for children and their communities in Quezon City, I am thrilled to be welcoming them to the Resilient Cities Network,” said Lauren Sorkin, Executive Director, Resilient Cities Network. “The city’s commitment to understanding and managing the city’s shocks and stresses will go a long way to ensuring its residents thrive in the polycrisis reality. We are eager to support them in their resilience journey and connect Quezon City to the Network’s knowledge and members regionally and globally.”
The city has appointed Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (CCESD) Head Andrea Villaroman, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) OIC Maria Bianca Perez as co-Chief Resilience Officers. Together, they will lead partnerships across city offices, departments, and stakeholders to develop and implement comprehensive programs and actions toward community resilience.
In the coming months, Quezon City will benefit from a range of resources as an R-Cities member, including learning opportunities, technical assistance, and capacity building. The city will also gain access to knowledge-sharing platforms, communication support, and other dedicated tools to bolster its resilience initiatives.
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About Quezon City
Quezon City is a premier city home to more than three million residents. With an area of 16,112.58 hectares (based on a 1995 GIS graphical plot), it is the largest among the sixteen (16) cities and one (1) municipality in the Philippines’ National Capital Region. Almost one-fourth the size of the whole of Metro Manila, Quezon City is among the country’s leading environmental trailblazers. Its climate strategies are focused on expediting and intensifying shifts in the circular economy, energy efficiency, and green transport while ensuring a liveable, sustainable, and resilient community for all.
About Resilient Cities Network
Resilient Cities Network is the world’s leading urban resilience network. It brings together global knowledge, practice, partnerships, and funding to empower its members to build safe and equitable cities for all. Its unique city-led approach ensures cities drive the agenda to benefit the communities they serve. At work in 100 cities worldwide, the Resilient Cities Network supports on-the-ground projects and solutions to build climate- resilient, circular, and inclusive cities while also facilitating connections and information-sharing between communities and local leaders.
