More than 60 officials of the real estate industry and the public sector from all over Europe gathered at the Urban Land Institute's (ULI) Urban Investment Network Forum in Istanbul last Thursday to discuss ways to make Europe's cities more resilient and sustainable.
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ECE CEO and ULI Europe Chairman Alexander Otto and Mayor of the City of Istanbul, Kadir Topbas.
ECE CEO and ULI Europe Chairman Alexander Otto called on his industry colleagues as well as city officials to cooperate: "It is vital that public and private institutions collaborate effectively to cope with urban challenges such as earthquakes, heat waves and crumbling infrastructure," said Otto.
"The ULI Urban Investment Network brings the decision makers of both sides together and makes a continuous exchange possible in the first place."
In an open forum public and private leaders showcased the latest findings, developments, state-of-the-art tools, and most effective programs on making cities sustainable and resilient. They shared best practices and explored relevant case studies.
Key attributes of a resilient city
The experts drafted 10 principles of a resilient city:
1. Resilient cities have identity, adaptability, and continuity, and are attractive to people and investors over time.
2. Resilient cities are diverse, economically, socially, physically and culturally and are often supported by integrated planning that produces a catalyst for reinvention.
3. Resilient cities reconcile markets, governments, and population; short and long-term goals in coherent plans, visions, and stories.
4. Risk assessment, due diligence, planning, and crisis response are key to maintaining resilience and ensuring that resilient cities are well connected and support and reinforce other places around them.
5. Resilient cities are not afraid to dream but base decisions on their realities rather than their aspirations. Capable public and private leadership is critical if cities are to successfully overcome adversity.
6. Collaboration between the public and private sector must be based on creating and sustaining value for both parties and must protect that value.
7. Investment in innovation, technology and research is critical, aligned with continuous investment in core assets, both tangible and intangible, from social housing to civil society itself.
8. Consistent and integrated infrastructure investment is critical
9. To achieve environmental resilience in the face of climate change increased awareness, education and engagement in behavior change are as critical as metrics, technology and design.
10. The Government has a vital role to play in city resilience. Smart governance must be bold in leading innovation in a difficult economic climate, but must be rewarded for the risks taken.
"Now is the time for leading cities to invest, to adapt and to build sustainable cities for our people," said Kadir Topbas, Mayor of the City of Istanbul.
The network was launched in October 2008 in order to promote collaboration between private investors and European cities. Founding Partners
"The ULI Urban Investment Network brings the decision makers of both sides together and makes a continuous exchange possible in the first place."
In an open forum public and private leaders showcased the latest findings, developments, state-of-the-art tools, and most effective programs on making cities sustainable and resilient. They shared best practices and explored relevant case studies.
Key attributes of a resilient city
The experts drafted 10 principles of a resilient city:
1. Resilient cities have identity, adaptability, and continuity, and are attractive to people and investors over time.
2. Resilient cities are diverse, economically, socially, physically and culturally and are often supported by integrated planning that produces a catalyst for reinvention.
3. Resilient cities reconcile markets, governments, and population; short and long-term goals in coherent plans, visions, and stories.
4. Risk assessment, due diligence, planning, and crisis response are key to maintaining resilience and ensuring that resilient cities are well connected and support and reinforce other places around them.
5. Resilient cities are not afraid to dream but base decisions on their realities rather than their aspirations. Capable public and private leadership is critical if cities are to successfully overcome adversity.
6. Collaboration between the public and private sector must be based on creating and sustaining value for both parties and must protect that value.
7. Investment in innovation, technology and research is critical, aligned with continuous investment in core assets, both tangible and intangible, from social housing to civil society itself.
8. Consistent and integrated infrastructure investment is critical
9. To achieve environmental resilience in the face of climate change increased awareness, education and engagement in behavior change are as critical as metrics, technology and design.
10. The Government has a vital role to play in city resilience. Smart governance must be bold in leading innovation in a difficult economic climate, but must be rewarded for the risks taken.
"Now is the time for leading cities to invest, to adapt and to build sustainable cities for our people," said Kadir Topbas, Mayor of the City of Istanbul.
The network was launched in October 2008 in order to promote collaboration between private investors and European cities. Founding Partners
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