Strengthening Climate Resilience Through Urban Policy: A Mixed-Method Framework with Case Study Insights

While climate resilience is a growing priority in urban planning, limited attention has been given to the procedural and governance mechanisms needed to effectively integrate resilience into policy development. This study presents a comprehensive policy analysis aimed at enhancing climate resilience...

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Main Authors: Shiyao Zhu, Haibo Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/890
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author Shiyao Zhu
Haibo Feng
author_facet Shiyao Zhu
Haibo Feng
author_sort Shiyao Zhu
collection DOAJ
description While climate resilience is a growing priority in urban planning, limited attention has been given to the procedural and governance mechanisms needed to effectively integrate resilience into policy development. This study presents a comprehensive policy analysis aimed at enhancing climate resilience, using the city of Kamloops, Canada, as a case study. A policy evaluation framework was developed, encompassing four dimensions and 20 indicators, to assess 11 policies and bylaws in Kamloops. The evaluation yielded a moderate score of 0.559 out of 1, revealing both existing strengths and critical gaps in the city’s climate resilience strategies. Key challenges identified include policy inflexibility, the absence of clear climate adaptation goals, insufficient emphasis on education and research, the lack of long-term projections and risk assessments, and implementation gaps such as unclear timelines, responsibilities, and funding mechanisms. To validate these findings, interviews with city staff from multiple departments provided further insights into governance barriers and opportunities for policy enhancement. Beyond Kamloops, this study offers a scalable and adaptable framework for cities worldwide seeking to integrate resilience into their urban planning policies. By addressing governance and procedural challenges, cities can strengthen their capacity to mitigate climate risks, enhance sustainability, and build long-term urban resilience.
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spelling doaj-art-5731dbaa439b4d7db6648d5e453742d22025-08-20T03:13:55ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-04-0114489010.3390/land14040890Strengthening Climate Resilience Through Urban Policy: A Mixed-Method Framework with Case Study InsightsShiyao Zhu0Haibo Feng1School of Transportation and Civil Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong 22601, ChinaSustainable Built Environment Lab, Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, CanadaWhile climate resilience is a growing priority in urban planning, limited attention has been given to the procedural and governance mechanisms needed to effectively integrate resilience into policy development. This study presents a comprehensive policy analysis aimed at enhancing climate resilience, using the city of Kamloops, Canada, as a case study. A policy evaluation framework was developed, encompassing four dimensions and 20 indicators, to assess 11 policies and bylaws in Kamloops. The evaluation yielded a moderate score of 0.559 out of 1, revealing both existing strengths and critical gaps in the city’s climate resilience strategies. Key challenges identified include policy inflexibility, the absence of clear climate adaptation goals, insufficient emphasis on education and research, the lack of long-term projections and risk assessments, and implementation gaps such as unclear timelines, responsibilities, and funding mechanisms. To validate these findings, interviews with city staff from multiple departments provided further insights into governance barriers and opportunities for policy enhancement. Beyond Kamloops, this study offers a scalable and adaptable framework for cities worldwide seeking to integrate resilience into their urban planning policies. By addressing governance and procedural challenges, cities can strengthen their capacity to mitigate climate risks, enhance sustainability, and build long-term urban resilience.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/890urban resiliencepolicy development and implementationpolicy evaluation frameworkindigenous community
spellingShingle Shiyao Zhu
Haibo Feng
Strengthening Climate Resilience Through Urban Policy: A Mixed-Method Framework with Case Study Insights
Land
urban resilience
policy development and implementation
policy evaluation framework
indigenous community
title Strengthening Climate Resilience Through Urban Policy: A Mixed-Method Framework with Case Study Insights
title_full Strengthening Climate Resilience Through Urban Policy: A Mixed-Method Framework with Case Study Insights
title_fullStr Strengthening Climate Resilience Through Urban Policy: A Mixed-Method Framework with Case Study Insights
title_full_unstemmed Strengthening Climate Resilience Through Urban Policy: A Mixed-Method Framework with Case Study Insights
title_short Strengthening Climate Resilience Through Urban Policy: A Mixed-Method Framework with Case Study Insights
title_sort strengthening climate resilience through urban policy a mixed method framework with case study insights
topic urban resilience
policy development and implementation
policy evaluation framework
indigenous community
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/890
work_keys_str_mv AT shiyaozhu strengtheningclimateresiliencethroughurbanpolicyamixedmethodframeworkwithcasestudyinsights
AT haibofeng strengtheningclimateresiliencethroughurbanpolicyamixedmethodframeworkwithcasestudyinsights