Speaker
Description
Urban resilience (Cutter et al., 2012; Davoudi, 2012) is a crucial concept in urban planning, but it often merges the distinction between events that trigger crises and the processes of adapting to them. Sudden disruptions and gradual, undesirable changes are frequently addressed in similar ways, which can create ambiguities in planning and response strategies. To overcome this challenge, it is essential to introduce the concepts of "multiresilience" and "multiadaptation" to better understand how public spaces function under various risk scenarios, which are becoming increasingly common in contemporary contexts (Sepe, 2023).
Multiresilience refers to a system's ability to respond effectively to multiple simultaneous risks of different types. This concept considers the unique characteristics of the location, the specific nature of each risk, and the inclusive participation of various stakeholders. The goal of multiresilience is to restore the pre-crisis state after the challenges have been managed. Achieving this requires a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between different risks and their cumulative effects on urban systems, particularly in public spaces. Multiresilience promotes strategies that address these risks collectively, ensuring that solutions are tailored to the specific needs and features of the area.
Multiadaptation, on the other hand, describes a system’s capacity to adjust to unforeseen multi-risk scenarios by achieving a new balance. This equilibrium incorporates territorial characteristics, the types of risks involved, the actors participating in the response, and emerging needs, always emphasizing inclusion. Unlike multiresilience, which seeks to restore the prior state, multiadaptation accepts that the post-crisis condition may differ and could better align with new circumstances.
In practical terms, multiadaptation could involve reimagining urban design to create flexible public spaces capable of serving multiple purposes (Pinkwart, Schingen, Pannes, et al., 2022).
To explore these concepts, a methodology was developed within the PRIN 2020 research project, "Sustainable Modelling of Materials, Structures, and Urban Spaces" (#20209F3A37) Urban Impact Unit under the author’s responsibility. This methodology aims to define principles for multiresilient planning through case studies, providing a flexible framework for designing public spaces that are both resilient and adaptable to unexpected multi-risk scenarios.
Among the principles derived from the research is the importance of integrating risk assessment into urban planning processes. This involves not only identifying and mitigating current risks but also examining how different risks may interact and amplify one another. Accordingly, measuring the degree of multi-adaptation can significantly enhance the understanding of adaptation to diverse risks.
Starting on these premises, the aim of this study is to present the original Multiadaptation Place Index (MPI). The MPI is a tool designed to measure the adaptability of public spaces by evaluating their flexibility to accommodate interventions tailored to current and emerging needs, while simultaneously enhancing livability and well-being. This index serves as a valuable resource for urban planners and policymakers, enabling them to prioritize inclusive project interventions—from environmental to socio-economic—and allocate resources more effectively.
The MPI evaluates factors such as the physical characteristics of the space, the types of risks present, socio-economic conditions, and existing infrastructure. By analyzing these elements, the index provides a comprehensive picture of a space’s resilience and adaptability.
For example, an emblematic case study—the new Hudson River Park in New York—will illustrate the application of the MPI to a specific public space. This project has transformed Manhattan’s West Side waterfront from a concrete landscape into a public space capable of absorbing rainwater and runoff, while also enhancing livability through inclusive, accessible activities and enriching the area’s cultural resources.
References
Cutter, S. L., et al., (2012) Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation . Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.
Davoudi, S., et al., (2012) Resilience: A bridging concept or a dead end? Planning Theory & Practice, 13(2), pp. 299–333
Pinkwart, A., Schingen, G., Pannes, AT. et al. (2022) Improving Resilience in Times of Multiple Crisis. Schmalenbach J Bus Res 74, pp. 763–786
Sepe, Marichela (2023) Designing Livable and Healthy Cities. London-New York: Routledge
UN-Habitat (2017) New Urban Agenda. United Nations Human Settlements Programme: Nairobi
| Keywords | Public space; resilience; liveability; inclusion; multiadaptation index |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
