Project Description
Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) formalized its commitment to disaster resilience by signing the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) in 2005. Phase II of the AADMER Work Program (2016–2020) introduced the BUILD SAFELY initiative, prioritizing the strengthening of disaster and climate resilience in rapidly urbanizing secondary cities across Southeast Asia. This initiative recognized the urgent need to integrate risk-informed planning into urban development processes and to build a regional community of practice in disaster risk management and urban resilience.
Objectives, Activities, and Results
The ASEAN Component of the project “Enhanced Use of Disaster Risk Information for Decision Making” aimed to build capacity in integrating disaster and climate risk management (DCRM) into urban planning across ASEAN countries. The project was delivered in three phases. Phase 1 involved a scoping study, national consultations, and the development of a roadmap for mainstreaming urban DCRM. Phase 2 focused on designing and delivering an ASEAN regional training program through workshops and consultations. Phase 3 supported long-term sustainability by developing a national database, launching a regional online forum for urban planners, and incorporating urban DCRM into academic curricula. These efforts collectively enhanced ASEAN’s institutional and professional capacities for building safer and more resilient cities.
Links
