Extreme weather events have the ability to impact upon health, transport, business and property. The effects of climate change will mean that events such as floods and heat waves will be more frequent and intense. Taking action to prepare London will help to protect us from today’s extreme weather and put us on the road to greater resilience against future challenges. Local authorities are key players in helping communities understand these risks and prepare for them. Boroughs have a range of tools to hand, particularly through their planning powers, which can help reduce the long-term impacts of extreme weather events and boost community resilience.
This workshop looked at ways to support councillors’ efforts within their own communities to ensure that residents and public services are ready for extreme weather. The seminar went on to discuss ways to realise the wider quality of life benefits of community resilience. Discussion centred on the range of tools boroughs have to hand, particularly through their planning powers, which can help reduce the long-term impacts of extreme weather events. Speakers already working with communities in London described practical projects which have helped to support local people’s efforts to prepare their homes and neighbourhoods for extreme weather events.
Download the featured presentations:
Community flood planning in London – by Alex Nickson, GLA
Living with flood risk – by Paul Cobbing, National Flood Forum
Residents perspective – by Samantha Heath, London Sustainability Exchange