Singapore gets funding, access to experts in effort to become resilient city

Eileen Poh Channel NewsAsia 3 Dec 14;

SINGAPORE: The Republic will soon get more support to deal with the adverse events it faces, after becoming a member of the US$100 million (S$131 million) "100 Resilient Cities" project - an initiative to help 100 cities be more resilient to challenges - on Wednesday (Dec 3).

This initiative will focus on more than just environmental "shocks" such as floods and earthquakes, and will include stresses that "weaken the fabric of a city on a day-to-day basis", according to US-based philanthropic organisation The Rockefeller Foundation, which is behind the project. These stresses could be unemployment, socio-economic inequality or chronic food and water shortages, it added.

"Cities are learning that by building resilience, not only will they be better prepared for the bad times, but also life becomes better in the good times, especially for the poor and vulnerable," said Dr Judith Rodin, President of The Rockefeller Foundation.

WANTED: CHIEF RESILIENCE OFFICERS

The foundation estimates that by 2050, 75 per cent of the world's population will live in cities. Sudden shocks or accumulating stresses in cities can cause significant damage and disruption. For instance, in 2011, the cost of natural disasters was estimated at more than US$380 billion.

The 100 Resilient Cities initiative was launched last year and currently has 67 members on board, 35 of which were unveiled on Wednesday. Besides Singapore, other cities selected include London, Chennai, Sydney and Paris.

Member cities will receive funding to hire a Chief Resilience Officer, who will lead the city's resilience efforts. Additionally, members will also get technical support to develop their resilience strategy, and access to service providers in the public, private and non-governmental sectors.

This year's cities were chosen from nearly 350 applicants on the basis of their ability to demonstrate a unique vision for resilience, a long-term commitment to cutting across silos of government and sectors of society, and a special attention to the needs of the poor and vulnerable.

The 100 Resilient Cities Challenge will open for its last round of applications in mid-2015.

- CNA/kk