Integrating urban resilience and resource efficiency into local green growth strategies: the case of fast-growing cities in Southeast Asia

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article aims to assess the links between urban resilience and resource efficiency challenges observed in the fast urbanisation contexts of Southeast Asian cities, taking Bandung (Indonesia), Iskandar Malaysia (Malaysia), Cebu (the Philippines), Bangkok (Thailand) and Hai Phong (Vietnam) as case studies. By showing that inefficient use of resources in the land use, water, energy and solid waste sectors is a critical factor of low urban resilience to natural disasters, this article makes a stronger case for the adoption of place-based policy frameworks such as urban green growth that can mobilise at the local-level synergies between resource efficiency and resilience across the aforementioned sectors. Finally, the article demonstrates that national government leadership and the mobilisation of urban communities are two potential strategic levers which can enable Southeast Asian cities to develop such vision and ensure its implementation.