As climate extremes intensify and COP 29 in Baku seems to be another missed opportunity to strengthen climate ambition and adopt robust implementation plans, dozens of local officials, advisors, consultants, academics, architects, and urban planners gathered at a packed event in London to discuss urban resilience.
Organised by Landor Links, the event, titled “Climate Resilient Streets,” featured panel discussions and open exchanges addressing the growing climate risks faced by local authorities in London and across the UK. These conversations echoed findings from the London Climate Resilience Review (LCRR), which highlights urgent threats such as flash floods, tidal surges, heatwaves, wildfires, and cascading risks—where one hazard triggers another.
Key questions included:
- What risks are we facing, and how can we measure and act on them?
- How can we share and use collected data effectively?
- What should local authorities prioritise within limited budgets?
- How can we better engage and communicate with citizens?
- Who is responsible and accountable for preparing for and responding to natural disasters?
These pressing questions were tackled with best practices and constructive dialogue.
It was reassuring to sense urgency from officials, emphasising that disasters often come down to minutes, centimetres, or preventative actions—like scaling up rain gardens—that could avert devastating floods. The need for both national and local visions, as outlined by the Climate Change Committee in its assessment of the UK’s third National Adaptation Plan, was a recurring theme. As one speaker put it: “Having a plan is great, but implementing it is even better.”
Public funding was also identified as essential for reconnecting fragmented habitats, critical for species mobility and biodiversity, at a time when UK nature is more depleted than ever. Investing £100 million annually for ten years to build green bridges and crossings would deliver significant ecosystem services and long-term cost savings.
Practical case studies enriched the discussions. The Mansfield Sustainable Flood Resilience project, the largest in the UK and projects in the City of London highlighted innovative strategies like using moisture data to prepare for droughts and prolonged heatwaves.
Another inspiring example was Amhurst Road in Hackney Central, which is undergoing a transformation to create a greener, more versatile street by 2026. With rain gardens to absorb excess water during heavy rains, this project exemplifies a collaborative approach to urban resilience.
The afternoon panel explored how to create vibrant, green streets through holistic approaches. Discussions included integrating rain gardens, parklets, and seating areas to balance diverse uses while prioritising sustainability. Ideas like monetising kerbsides to replace parking revenue with socially responsible alternatives were also debated.
The session highlighted the hidden costs of inaction—like flooding—and the benefits of greening urban spaces, including increased footfall, safer streets, higher activity levels, and improved mental health. Organisations like Meristem Design shared insights into their work with councils and communities, providing multifunctional green infrastructure such as rain gardens and other sustainable solutions.
A final session emphasised the critical role of partnerships. Collaboration across disciplines—flood management, water engineering, transport, urban planning, and academia—is essential to creating streets that are greener, safer, and more climate-resilient.
