Connecting Delta Cities, International Workshop
New York City, 9-10 June 2009
About coastal cities, climate change and adaptation: a global exchange of experiences
Hosted by Stony Brook University, New York
Background
Climate change and coastal cities
The potential impacts of climate change on large coastal cities have been addressed in the scientific literature over the past 10-15 years. Climate Change and sea level rise may exacerbate flood risks from storm surges as well as peak discharges from rivers. As a consequence, the vulnerability of infrastructure, people, nature and other economic sectors is expected to increase. Socio-economic trends may further amplify possible consequences from future floods as more people are moving towards urban coastal areas and capital is continuously invested in ports, industrial centers and financial businesses in flood-prone areas. By 2040, more than 50% of the global population is expected to live in urban coastal areas. Adaptation to climate change and flood risks entails a broad portfolio of options. Adaptation strategies can be targeted to managing the probability of a flood or to minimizing its consequences. Furthermore, adaptation policies may address, evacuation schemes, improved communication to civilians and companies.
C-40: Exchange of knowledge
The C-40 (http://www.c40cities.org) initiative by President Bill Clinton recognizes the central role cities have to play in tackling climate change. C-40 strongly supports the exchange of information and knowledge across coastal cities. The cities include New York, Jakarta, London, Tokyo, Sao Paolo and Rotterdam. Although C-40 initially focused on mitigating greenhouse gases, adaptation is now also increasingly regarded as a key issue.
Agenda
Day 1: Tuesday 9 June, Adaptation research and policy in coastal cities
Morning session presentations:
Introduction and opening
Malcolm Bowman (Stony Brook University) and David Major (Columbia University): Welcome
Arnoud Molenaar (City of Rotterdam): Rotterdam Climate Proof in 2025
Adam Freed (New York Major’s Office)
Aisa Tobing (Jakarta Governor’s Office): Connecting delta cities: climate risk priorities and adaptation policies
Movie: Connecting Delta Cities
Scenarios and effects
Hans Peter Plag (University of Nevada): Climate change and sea level rise: a challenge to science and society
Radley Horton (Columbia University/NASA GISS): Climate change and flood risk in New York City
Muh Aris Marfai (University of Yogjakarta): Preliminary assessment and modeling the effects of climate change on potential coastal flood damage in Jakarta
Jeroen Aerts (VU University Amsterdam): Planning for adaptation in The Netherlands and Rotterdam
Afternoon sessions: Adaptation policies for coastal cities
Plenary
Robert Muir-Wood (Risk Management Solutions):
Group 1: Is current scientific information on climate change tailored to the requirements of adaptation policy?
Rae Zimmerman (New York University) Chair
Robert Wilson (Stony Brook University): Storm surge modeling at Stony Brook
Laurens Bouwer (VU University Amsterdam): Climate information and scenarios for impact assessment and adaptation policy
Adam Freed (New York Major’s Office) Commentator
Group 2: What options for adaptation are available and what are priorities?
Klaus Jacob (Columbia University) Chair
David Major (Columbia University)
John Jacobs (City of Rotterdam): Rotterdam: climate change and water challenges
Raymond Keymur (DG Spatial Planning, Jakarta) Commentator
Group 3: Climate risk priorities: perceptions and communication of adaptation policies
Elke Weber (Columbia University) Chair
Sarah Newkirk (The Nature Conservancy): Coastal adaptation: perception and communication
Aisa Tobing (Jakarta Governor’s Office): Connecting delta cities: climate risk priorities and adaptation policies
Arnoud Molenaar (City of Rotterdam) Commentator
Moderated plenary discussion
Dennis Kamber (Arcadis) Moderator
Tim Reeder (Environment Agency, UK) Rapporteur Session 1
Chris Zevenbergen (UNESCO-IHE) Rapporteur Session 2
Rapporteur Session 3
Day 2: Wednesday 10 June, Public and private adaptation measures
Morning session presentations:
Alex Nickson (Greater London Authority) and Tim Reeder (Environment Agency): Thames Estuary 2100 (TE2100)
Ernest Tollerson (New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority)
Klaus Jacob (Columbia University): Climate change adaptation and infrastructure
Jan Dirk Hoekstra (H+N+S): Climate change, the Dutch Delta metropolis and the Rotterdam region
Malcolm Bowman and Douglas Hill (Stony Brook University): Storm surge scenarios and the potential for barriers in NYC
Piet Dircke (Arcadis): Climate adaptation and storm surges: a systems approach to protect large cities
Afternoon sessions:
Group 1: Infrastructure
Rae Zimmerman (New York University) Chair
Chris Zevenbergen (UNESCO-IHE):
Thurlough Smyth (New York Department of Environmental Protection): Impact of climate change on New York City’s water resources
George Sarrinikolaou (Port Authority of New York and New Jersey) Commentator
Group 2: Flood risk and insurance
Martin Garrell (Adelphi University) Chair
Swenja Surminski (Association of British Insurers)
Alice Le Blanc (American International Group)
Ernest Tollerson (New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority) Commentator
Group 3: Architecture
Raymond Kemur (DG Spatial Planning, Jakarta) Chair
Kristina Hill (University of Virginia): The role of urban design/architecture/landscape
Peter Caradonna (Caradonna Architecture and Planning): Integrated design: building adaptation options
Moderated plenary discussion
Piet Dircke (Arcadis) Moderator
Ann Ronan (The Cooper Union) Rapporteur Session 1
Martin Garrell (Adelphi University) Rapporteur Session 2
Jochem Albrecht (Hunter College) Rapporteur Session 3
Feeding workshop results into a book
Jeroen Aerts (VU University Amsterdam)
Workshop closure and thanks
Malcolm Bowman (Stony Brook University), David Major (Columbia University), and Jeroen Aerts (VU University Amsterdam)