Manchester joins Rockefeller club of resilient cities
The Greater Manchester city region has successfully bid to become a member of the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities Network, collaborating with leaders and experts around the world to tackle 21st century challenges.
The Rockefeller Foundation set up the $100m support network in May 2013 in an effort to build urban resilience against physical, social and economic challenges, including flooding and natural disasters, terrorism, high unemployment, inefficient transport networks and ageing populations.
Greater Manchester joins Bristol, Glasgow and London in the 100 Resilient Cities Network, having submitted a bid to join the network in November 2015 alongside 325 other cities across more than 80 countries across the world.
Greater Manchester was deemed excellent by the Foundation in its innovative approach to urban resilience and commitment to a collaborative partnership with local communities and the 100 Resilient Cities.
As a member of the network, Greater Manchester will receive financial and technical support to hire a chief resilience officer; assistance in developing a resilience-building strategy; access to tools and service providers in areas including innovative finance, infrastructure, technology and land use; and access to the 100 Resilient Cities Network for sharing best practices and solving problems collectively.
The AGMA Civil Contingencies and Resilience Unit, on behalf of the Greater Manchester Resilience Forum, will begin working with the 100 Resilient Cities team to establish a work programme and explore the opportunities available.
A report on the 100 Resilient Cities Network will go before the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities board when it meets on Thursday 30 June.
