Our aims: 

This CCAP set of activities aims to assess the climate-related infrastructural vulnerability in comparative fashion of different intermediate sized Asian-Pacific cities that are potential locales for a climate-change initiative by conducting:

1. Risk-hazard analysis of urban physical infrastructure, especially sensitivity to climate change impacts on water, built assets, waste management, and energy systems;
2. Socio-economic analysis of vulnerability arising from climate change urban infrastructural impacts due to differential availability of and access to resources needed for adaptation.

Our desired outcomes:

Year 1: RMIT research group convened; research collaborators in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City identified; common framework for comparative research and analysis prepared; preliminary research conducted. Research results used to identify other highly-vulnerable candidate sites for the infrastructural initiative.

Year 2: Integrated infrastructural vulnerability profiles of specific urban communities and cities to external stresses arising from climate change produced; quantitative and qualitative indices of vulnerability and sensitivity developed, and decision tools (based on GIS) to enable cities to conduct such analysis produced, including stakeholder consultation and participation.

Supporting projects

Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC) projects
This joint project with RMIT University’s Centre for Design and the VGBC involves researchers undertaking two projects exploring the climate change adaptation vulnerabilities in Vietnam and responses required. The first project focuses on urban planning mechanisms and dynamics. Vietnam does not currently have any requirements for sustainable building design or measurement systems relating to such issues. This project explores what would be needed to create such a system and implement it. The second project is focussed on exploring alternative water and energy supply options for Vietnam and their viability. For more information visit the VGBC website or contact Jalel Sager of VGBC or Dr. Usha Iyer-Raniga of the Centre for Design.

Vietnamese Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) project
This joint project involves researchers from the VASS gathering the current social and economic urban data with regards to aspects such as housing, location, and urban forms. They will conduct research into the social, economic and geophysical vulnerabilities of communities within Vietnam to climate change. Together this data will provide insight into the areas most vulnerable to climate change and the adaptation requirements for those areas. VASS intends to use this information to recommend priority areas of focus for adaptation response to the Vietnam government. For more information visit the VASS website or contact: Mr Ngoc Thach Pham.

Comparative CCA local community studies project
The Globalism Institute at RMIT University undertakes a Community Sustainability project with a range of communities throughout the world. They explore if and how communities are negotiating transformations across the complex layers of social life from the local to the global. The framing concept is ‘community sustainability’. They explore the contribution made by a broad range of social practices and discourses to strengthening communities or tearing them apart. As a part of the Climate Change Adaptation Program they will undertake work within some of these communities to explore their responses to the threat of climate change, their adaptation plans and any actions they are taking to adapt. For more information see the Community Sustainability website or contact Dr. Martin Mulligan