On 12 March, the University of Turku hosted the EC2U Think Tank, gathering experts to discuss ideas and measures for strengthening climate resilience in cities and communities. The event fostered an open dialogue among different stakeholders with the aim of identifying challenges and solutions for resilient urban development.
Climate resilience is becoming an increasingly urgent topic as cities worldwide face rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting environmental conditions. Effective adaptation measures are essential to safeguarding communities, infrastructure, and biodiversity.
Addressing climate resilience demands input from a wide array of stakeholders, as the challenges and solutions are multifaceted. To this end, the EC2U Think Tank at the University of Turku brought together various experts to explore climate resilience measures from different angles, including scientific research, policy considerations, and community perspectives.
Organised as part of the EC2U University Alliance, the event took the form of a panel discussion moderated by Director of Turku Urban Research Programme Hanna Mattila. The invited panellists were Doctoral Researcher Venla Aaltonen (University of Turku), Project Manager Minna Kivimäki (City of Turku, RESIST project), Landscape Architect and Service Manager Vilja Larjosto (Sitowise), Strategy Manager Pekka Salminen (Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment) and Project Specialist Misa Tuomala (City of Turku).
Collaboration and knowledge-sharing as pathways to scalable solutions
The discussions of the event highlighted the need for increased cooperation beyond municipal boundaries, as administrative borders often do not align with natural ecosystems. The panellists emphasised the importance of integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning to ensure cities remain liveable while also addressing climate risks. Additionally, the role of regulation was discussed as a means to encourage municipalities to prioritise climate adaptation, ensuring that efforts extend beyond pioneering cities and become a standard practice across regions.
Another key topic raised was the need for improved knowledge-sharing between different actors. Although various research experiments and pilot projects have demonstrated effective climate adaptation strategies, the dissemination of this information remains somewhat limited. The creation of a dedicated platform to facilitate the exchange of best practices would help cities and communities implement successful strategies more effectively.
Local solutions benefit from strong community engagement
The Think Tank acknowledged Finland’s and the City of Turku’s relatively strong position in climate adaptation and resilience measures, particularly in new construction. However, challenges persist in retrofitting existing urban structures to meet emerging resilience requirements. Awareness and communication were identified as crucial factors in fostering a shared understanding of adaptation needs, ensuring that both citizens and decision-makers recognise the importance and challenges of long-term planning.
Community involvement emerged as another critical theme. While Western societies often rely on top-down initiatives, many participants noted that grassroots engagement and local solutions play a crucial role in successful adaptation. By encouraging neighbourhood-level participation and fostering resilience at the community level, cities can build a more inclusive and effective response to climate change.
Fostering collective efforts for climate resilience in Europe
The panellists also emphasised that while resilience measures might sometimes be seen as a form of surrender compared to mitigation efforts, they are not mutually exclusive. In fact, mitigation and adaptation often complement each other, ensuring a more comprehensive and effective response to the climate crisis.
Overall, the Think Tank discussions in Turku highlighted the importance of proactive, collaborative approaches to help cities and communities effectively tackle the challenges posed by climate change. Moving forward, the focus will be on sharing the results of the discussions with other EC2U universities. The outcomes of the Think Tank from each EC2U university will be presented at the annual EC2U Forum, with the collective findings contributing to policy recommendations that will guide climate resilience efforts across Europe.
