Urban resilience: assessing climate vulnerabilities and risk perceptions in the city of Haifa, Israel

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Extreme climate events (wildfires, floods, heatwaves, cold spells) are becoming more frequent in the Mediterranean, but adaptation levels remain low. The city of Haifa in northern Israel is prone to extreme climate events. Focusing on Haifa, we aim to 1) conduct a spatial analysis of climate and health vulnerabilities, 2) examine local officials’ risk perceptions of different extreme events, and 3) assess the public's perceived risk and resilience METHODS: Mixed-METHODS: 1) spatial mapping of vulnerability indicators including socio-economic status, recipients of welfare allowances, temperature, sensitivity to floods and wildfires, proximity to hospitals. 2) qualitative analysis of 30 in-depth interviews with local government health and welfare officials, and 3) a survey of climate risk perceptions and resilience among a representative sample of 550 residents. RESULTS:Social and climatic vulnerabilities are correlated, so that downtown neighborhoods are characterized by poorer socio-economic, health and welfare conditions, and higher summer temperatures. Hospitals are prepared for emergencies, but not for extreme climate events, and there are no national budget or guidelines for climate adaptation at the city level or in hospitals. Correspondingly, risk perceptions of climate change among health and welfare officials remain low. Public perceptions of danger (2.64±0.82), community resilience (2.96±0.76) and national resilience (3.28±0.84) are moderate (1-5 scale), and correlated with ethnicity and age. Residents of neighborhoods with poorer socio-economic conditions report higher community resilience compared to others. CONCLUSIONS:Haifa is a geographically and socially diverse city, with multiple vulnerabilities to climate change. However, climate risk perceptions remain low among health and welfare officials and among residents. Good preparedness for events that had been experienced in the past including war and wildfire, provides a good infrastructure for climate change awareness and adaptation. The city should develop and implement an adaptation plan that will address the vulnerabilities of different populations and neighborhoods, and enhance urban resilience. KEYWORDS: Adaptation, climate change, public policy, risk perceptions, urban resilience, vulnerability assessment.