Belfast Chosen To Join 'Resilient Cities Network'

Belfast's inclusion in the 100 Resilient Cities network will boost investment, tourism and the economy, according to to Lord Mayor Arder Carson.

On Wednesday Belfast was chosen as one of 100 Resilient Cities, an an initiative pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation in the USA.

Belfast is the only city in Ireland and one of only five in the UK – the others being London, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester – to have been selected to join the network this year.

It is understood that Belfast was chosen from more than 325 applications on the basis of its willingness, ability and need to become resilient in the face of future challenges. 

It means the city will now be part of a worldwide network of cities, including Paris, France; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Jakarta, Indonesia. 

Belfast will receive grant funding to deploy a Commissioner for Resilience who will lead the citywide resilience building process and engage stakeholders from across the different sectors. Belfast will also receive technical support to develop a Resilience Strategy that reflects the city’s distinct needs and the support and services they need as they work towards implementation.

Belfast Lord Mayor Arder Carson said: "Nearly 1,000 cities applied to part of this network and not only is it a significant honour to join the 100 Resilient Cities Network, but it will give Belfast the tools to support a better city today, tomorrow and for future generations to come.

"Belfast is a city on the rise and we are making real progress in attracting investment, tourists and boosting our economy. However, we are also well aware of the risks we face in relation to the potential of civic unrest, ageing infrastructure, lack of social cohesion and other man-made and natural disasters, including flooding.

"As a new member of 100 Resilient Cities, we can work with the best in the private, government and non-profit sectors across the world in developing and sharing tools to plan and respond to the resilience challenges ahead."

Michael Berkowitz, 100 Resilient Cities President, welcomed Belfast into the network and said: "We selected Belfast because of its leaders’ commitment to resilience building and the innovative and proactive way they’ve been thinking about the challenges the city faces. We’re excited to get to work.

"For us, a resilient city has good emergency response and meets its citizens’ needs. It has diverse economies and takes care of both its built and natural infrastructure. It has effective leadership, empowered stakeholders and an integrated planning system – all those things are essential for a resilient city."

(MH)