A growing number of cities are preparing for climate change impacts by developing adaptation plans. However, little is known about how these plans and their implementation affect the vulnerability of the urban poor. This seminar presents a paper that critically assesses initiatives in eight cities worldwide and finds that land-use planning for climate adaptation can exacerbate sociospatial inequalities across diverse developmental and environmental conditions. The paper argues that urban adaptation injustices fall into two categories — acts of commission, when interventions negatively affect or displace poor communities; and acts of omission, when they protect and prioritize elite groups at the expense of the urban poor.
The lecture will be presented by new assistant professor Linda Shi.